Compass Hiring?

[gtpilot]

I received a letter from ALPA saying Compass is hiring - just curious as to why. Also, for anyone at Compass now, what's the quality of life for junior FOs and where are they likely to get stationed? Thanks!!

[surreal1221]

Yeah, that was strange. Wonder what is up.

[gtpilot]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

Yeah, that was strange. Wonder what is up.

I have to admit being a bit concerned with the whole deal - why would Compass get more flying when Comair could easily either hold off on furloughing or recall. Makes me really hesitant about applying.

[surreal1221]

Yup.

I'd have to know the terms surrounding the hiring before I tossed an app in. Time will tell.

[flyingmaniac]

I looked at the application on the careers page and I thought I saw that the new hires would have to pay for lodging during training in Minneapolis????

That is just not realistic, because your already getting paid below minimum wages.

What are airlines thinking? If they don't want me to work there by paying for my stay, then why would I?

[jynxyjoe]

They've got plenty of guys applying. They are holding classes just down the hall from us.

Apparently Delta is pilling on the flying hours for them and Compass doesn't have the manpower to make it through the year, too many people timing out. It is true that they are getting more hours, the part about not having enough manpower is from a few compass pilots that talk about it.

Couple shiny jetters from Mesaba went over there after the furlough (and I think one from before), they seem to be enjoying it.

[WalterSobchak]

Compass was understaffed with only 330 or so pilots for 36 planes. Ask a Compass guy about their reserves if you want to see him laugh.

[jynxyjoe]

Originally Posted by WalterSobchak

Compass was understaffed with only 330 or so pilots for 36 planes. Ask a Compass guy about their reserves if you want to see him laugh.

The line guy I talked to over some beers in southhaven said he was going to time out somewhere mid November. That means he's flying 90 a month. He's a lineholder but not a senior one (I think he was hired spring or sum of '08).

[flyingmaniac]

This seems like a continuing thing with Delta, give the regionals a lot of flying for some years and then slowly sell them off and cut their flying away, ie. Comair.

Especially if Delta owns you. They have the ability to do whatever they want.

I hope that this flying keeps all of Compass people employed to the maximum. Maybe the new hires will get a line the first year employed.

I thought about applying yesterday but I can't seem to muster the effort to get paid $24/hour and have to commute to work either in Detroit of all places and Minneapolis. Really don't want to go through that again, and again, and again.

[OldTownPilot]

Isnt it a bit late to get more guys on the line by the end of the year to cover the people timing out?

[jynxyjoe]

Originally Posted by flyingmaniac

This seems like a continuing thing with Delta, give the regionals a lot of flying for some years and then slowly sell them off and cut their flying away, ie. Comair.

Especially if Delta owns you. They have the ability to do whatever they want.

I hope that this flying keeps all of Compass people employed to the maximum. Maybe the new hires will get a line the first year employed.

I thought about applying yesterday but I can't seem to muster the effort to get paid $24/hour and have to commute to work either in Detroit of all places and Minneapolis. Really don't want to go through that again, and again, and again.

The company may have a bright future it may not. It's so bizarre to watch Delta work these days. It is an ever increasing sense of confusion and frustration. Toss more hours at a company that hasn't got the staff for it right at the end of the year???

[flyingmaniac]

Originally Posted by jynxyjoe

The company may have a bright future it may not. It's so bizarre to watch Delta work these days. It is an ever increasing sense of confusion and frustration. Toss more hours at a company that hasn't got the staff for it right at the end of the year???

It almost gives Delta the excuse to get rid of regionals for them not being able to perform, although it was their fault to start with.

Or maybe the reason Delta gave them more flying hours is because Compass's jets are shiny and new and have first class??????

[jynxyjoe]

Originally Posted by flyingmaniac

It almost gives Delta the excuse to get rid of regionals for them not being able to perform, although it was their fault to start with.

Or maybe the reason Delta gave them more flying hours is because Compass's jets are shiny and new and have first class??????

They are running our -900's into the ground. They are flying 8-10 hours a day.

I'm sure Delta has a plan. I'm also sure the plan is flawed in every way and in the end we'll all look back and say "THAT was the big plan? Are you serious? REALLY?!?"

Of course, by then I'll be on the street working Home Depot full time (I can only hope) when we get that news.

[CRJDriver]

A friend of mine is currently upgrading to Captain there. They have been pretty short staffed on the FO side apparently. The rumor is hiring 60-70 pilots next year. Why? I don't know, but my guess is DL is going to take the E170s from Shuttle and give them to Compass.

Originally Posted by flyingmaniac

I looked at the application on the careers page and I thought I saw that the new hires would have to pay for lodging during training in Minneapolis????

That is correct. As a new hire you will be considered to be based in MSP and lodging will be on your own dime. Why? Because they can. I've also heard you only get paid 18 hrs. during training.

Apparently the last new-hire class at Compass had an average of 5000+ TT. You can go on aviationinterviews.com and see for yourself what kind of people they have been hiring. They have a lot of high time FOs. A lot of these guys will bail once things turn around, not everyone wants to go to Compass because of the flow-through agreement which is a big selling point for a lot of people.

[jynxyjoe]

Originally Posted by CRJDriver

A friend of mine is currently upgrading to Captain there. They have been pretty short staffed on the FO side apparently. The rumor is hiring 60-70 pilots next year. Why? I don't know, but my guess is DL is going to take the E170s from Shuttle and give them to Compass.

How many does shuttle have that are Delta's? there are 44 according to apc.

[CRJDriver]

Originally Posted by jynxyjoe

How many does shuttle have that are Delta's? there are 44 according to apc.

Not sure how many 170s fly for Delta, they also fly them for UAL...

[jynxyjoe]

Originally Posted by CRJDriver

Not sure how many 170s fly for Delta, they also fly them for UAL...

Well, I guess I should have asked the question better. Does Delta owns some of those Shuttle 170's and will give them to Compass? I think Delta is maxed out from buying 76 seaters.

[falconvalley]

Don't quote me but I believe Delta is locked in with Shuttle beyond 2010.

[WalterSobchak]

Scuttle America has 16-175's and 1-170 operating for DAL. There is a clause that allows DAL to buy those plains and brake the lease. Thus not adding any more 76 seaters in the mix.

[BobDDuck]

Originally Posted by falconvalley

Don't quote me but I believe Delta is locked in with Shuttle beyond 2010.

That may be but there is also an anti competition clause in the contract that would probably let Delta out of the deal

Originally Posted by WalterSobchak

There is a clause that allows DAL to buy those plains and brake the lease.

I'm not playing spelling/grammar nazi, but I just find that funny.

[Gonzo]

Originally Posted by flyingmaniac

I looked at the application on the careers page and I thought I saw that the new hires would have to pay for lodging during training in Minneapolis????

I could be wrong but I think you are only in MSP for a few days for training.

[subpilot]

Originally Posted by WalterSobchak

There is a clause that allows DAL to buy those plains and brake the lease. Thus not adding any more 76 seaters in the mix.

LOL, thanks for making me laugh. FYI, spellcheck is a free download on here.

[CRJDriver]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

I could be wrong but I think you are only in MSP for a few days for training.

Now I think it is 2 days in MSP for orientation, then home for 30 days of home study. Now Sim training is in MSP. No more Canada. I think you will be in MSP for 1-2 weeks.

I just got off the phone with my friend, he has been at Headquarters/Training Center the past few days. From what he has heard there will be an increase in block hours and increase in aircraft utilization. We also talked about how it is BS that they are hiring and others are furloughing, but DL is going to go with the cheaper/more cost effective carrier. As far as the whole ALPA e-mail and the offer to walk in resumes from fellow ALPA DCI carriers... Yeah, he said don't hold your breath for a call. He talked to two guys interviewing a few days ago, they came from Great Lakes and USA 3000. I remember when Comair started furloughing and Mesaba was hiring like mad, we got the same e-mail, and nothing came out of it.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by subpilot

LOL, thanks for making me laugh. FYI, spellcheck is a free download on here.

Spellcheck wouldn't have said anything. He spelled them correctly.

We've got FOs here at 9E getting bought off trips already because they're timing out. It's not just a Compass thing. The difference is Compass is planning to hire to alleviate the problem. Pinnacle just plans to continue the beatings until morale improves and people stop calling in sick when they're sick and fatigued when they're tired.

[H46Bubba]

Originally Posted by falconvalley

Don't quote me but I believe Delta is locked in with Shuttle beyond 2010.

Per the agreement between Republic and DL, As of March 2010 Delta can cancel CHQ and S5's contract without cause. There is a clause that states that if Delta were to cancel those contracts at that time, Delta would have to assume the leases on all aircraft flown by CHQ and S5 for DCI...If Republic so chooses to make them. Delta has already made contingency plans on this and come up with a cost for taking over those a/c and their leases. It's been In Delta's quarterly reports since they decided to reduce DCI carriers.
At the last Stockholders meeting ,they got on Richard Anderson's butt and wanted to know why Delta is paying a lot of money to contract regionals when they have three wholly owned regionals that could do all the flying for less money. He didn't have an awnswer for them!