TillerTemptress

I like this company, it has its benefits and it has its faults.
Regional left seat is never really somewhere you want to get stuck, even if you have .. even 6 years left, I'd still probably go retire as an FO at Atlas or something before I settled for regional CA. That said, this is very much the wrong company to do it at. Too much uncertainty with our future, bases, etc, I still think this is a decent choice for west coast pilots but not if you intend to actually stay here for a career. Skywest would be a better end-of-career airline.
As for reserve, well, honestly it sucks everywhere. It can be a little better when the company is well staffed, which I doubt we will be any time soon, so reserve time will probably be short but your time on reserve you might get used a lot, depends on the base.

Tailfloatski

Overall, I agree with TillerTemptress. Furthermore, the answer strongly depends on how old you are.

First, if you're thinking a career move, reserve largely doesn't matter. It'll be only a few months, then you'll be a lineholder. Same is likely to happen after the upgrade. We have crazy movement - right now, the future is uncertain. As TT said, SkyWest is a better career option due to stability. However, there you'll be a bottom of the list Captain due to the large number of lifers who have been there for decades.

If at your station in life you can't afford the Atlas lifestyle, get to any regional and try to jump over to Spirit or Allegiant. Good pay, good QoL, reasonably fast upgrades. Good luck!

veewan

My question for Btoflyer, how old are you and where do you live or want to live?

That information is important for your decision. If you've got 3 years left before 65, Compass would not be a bad gig if you want LAX or SEA.

I'd generally agree with TillerTemptress and Tailfloatski about quick movement now and the suggestion that you should seek something bigger than a regional. But if you must fly for a regional SkyWest is a much better career end.

Honestly you should try a LCC, it's much more stable, better work rules and compensation. Or Atlas, from what I've heard recently both are taking people with ATP/R-ATP. So even if you don't have prior jet experience you can get in.

Where I disagree with Tailfloatski is that SkyWest has lifers that'll cause your seniority to stagnate in the left seat. That used to be the case, but now guys are watching their buddies get on with DL, UA etc and when the word about QOL etc gets back they are following, which is why their upgrade dropped to 10 months, and is at about 1.5 years (average) on the CRJ.

Essentially now's the time to get in, so pick where you'd like to be.

Tailfloatski

Perhaps my info is outdated. If the top 30%+ of their CA seniority is now also moving, that's great news.

veewan

Saw a captain there post on a social media page last week he's going to Southwest...his seniority number was 280. Out of 4000 that would put him at 7%.

As you said, this used not to be the case.

zondaracer

Great guy. I thought he was a lifer, and wth less than a decade left in the industry, it was a surprise to everyone. Several other guys in his situation have been talking about moving on as well.

week

"We badly need new hires!!"

*potential new hire asks about applying*

"Go to SkyWest!!"


Great job guys.

Weekendsoff

Some good things are coming down the pipe for Compass. I won't be here to benefit but should be coming out by end of the month.

FlytheSky

Since today is the last day of the month, does that mean sometime today or by the end of August?

Weekendsoff

Yes August, sorry for the confusion.