Compass new bases after Delta NW Merge?

[DashTrash400]

I can tell you all exactly how we could fix the contract before 2013: Taxi *everywhere* at 2mph. Don't drop the brake early for on-time. Don't carry writeups to a base. That's exactly what NWA guys did and got their 150% pay beyond 80 hour back LONG before their BK contract was amendable. It would, however, have to be a grassroots effort with no union involvement, and the vast majority of the pilots would have to be on board. Right now I don't think enough pilots are pi$$ed off enough for it to happen, but give JK time. He's so good at pi$$ing off pilots that I'm starting to think he's an ALPA plant.

 

[GOULET!]

Anybody else find Bendo leaving Compass to going over to be Comair's new President a little interesting? Anybody have any backround on what the new Prez Tim Campbell is like?

 

[DYLIN]

I can tell you all exactly how we could fix the contract before 2013: Taxi *everywhere* at 2mph. Don't drop the brake early for on-time. Don't carry writeups to a base. That's exactly what NWA guys did and got their 150% pay beyond 80 hour back LONG before their BK contract was amendable. It would, however, have to be a grassroots effort with no union involvement, and the vast majority of the pilots would have to be on board. Right now I don't think enough pilots are pi$$ed off enough for it to happen, but give JK time. He's so good at pi$$ing off pilots that I'm starting to think he's an ALPA plant.

Need to start having the whole pilot group off probation (90% will be in second year nine months from now) and then I think 100% will be in favor of such actions.

 

[Ned Foreclaw]

I can tell you all exactly how we could fix the contract before 2013: Taxi *everywhere* at 2mph. Don't drop the brake early for on-time. Don't carry writeups to a base. That's exactly what NWA guys did and got their 150% pay beyond 80 hour back LONG before their BK contract was amendable. It would, however, have to be a grassroots effort with no union involvement, and the vast majority of the pilots would have to be on board. Right now I don't think enough pilots are pi$$ed off enough for it to happen, but give JK time. He's so good at pi$$ing off pilots that I'm starting to think he's an ALPA plant.

Then, watch your flying get transferred!

 

[liv'n_on_credit]

Where was I going to get access to the contract from?

All you have to do is ask any Compass pilot on here, and most would be happy to send you a .PDF of it. I've done it 2 or 3 times now for people on here.

Even if there was a way why shouldn't I take the job to pay my bills and then try to fix the problem when I am here.

How are you going to fix the problems you talked about?...everything you complain about is in stone in the contract. All you'll accomplish here is making CA's like me miserable on a 4-day with your constant complaining.

So.........since you aren't complaining you are happy with the contract?

Mostly happy with it...it's better than where I came from. At least they don't purposely violate it all the time like my last airline. Yes, there certainly are bad spots, but it's NOWHERE NEAR terrible.

Why don't guys complain more?

Because the rest of us were smart enough to do our homework before we came here. We knew the bad spots and big risks, so we don't cry like a little baby after we get hired. Also, everyone is treated with respect here which makes people not complain. Yes, there are a instances where someone higher up ticked off someone at the pilot level, but I've been here over a year and most everyone I talk to is very happy, so they don't complain.

Why is everyone upset at me complaining?

Because nobody on this earth likes a chronic complainer. If you want to post some details of the contract, and make your point about the bad parts, that's fine. It will inform others who are thinking about coming here, and let them make an informed decision, which is good. But, when all you do is b**ch like a 10 year old school girl, it makes you look foolish, especially since you haven't even made it to the line yet.

 

[WSurf]

Ummm...are you and Sioux sleeping together?

Jealous are we?

I can only imagine where you worked before Compass.

 

[liv'n_on_credit]

Jealous are we?

Nope...just find it unusual that you're the ONLY one sticking up for him. I don't understand how you can stick up for someone who calls their own airline "Compost", when they haven't flown a single flight for them. HE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE CONTRACT BEFORE HE ACCEPTED THE JOB!! On top of that, besides training, it is not bad here at all, including the contract. It could be a lot worse.

You mentioned that he has the right to vent his frustrations on a public board, and you're 100% correct. But, besides training(which we all know is a huge joke at CAE) he's venting about things that were on paper and agreed on over a year before he started here.

 

[SpauldingSmails]

With regard to the leadership change though, I think the interesting question is now... Does it really have to do more with us (compass) or Comair?

*Connery Voice* "The game is afoot!"

 

[Mav204]

Nope...just find it unusual that you're the ONLY one sticking up for him. I don't understand how you can stick up for someone who calls their own airline "Compost", when they haven't flown a single flight for them. HE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE CONTRACT BEFORE HE ACCEPTED THE JOB!! On top of that, besides training, it is not bad here at all, including the contract. It could be a lot worse.

You mentioned that he has the right to vent his frustrations on a public board, and you're 100% correct. But, besides training(which we all know is a huge joke at CAE) he's venting about things that were on paper and agreed on over a year before he started here.

SiouxHockeyFan is only trying to get you all to realize that your contract sucks. just because a few of you might live in MSP and don't have to commute, does that meanthat you are willing to have a bad contract?
People have to pay the bills, and I recommend that some people don't take that job at Compost! With the price of a new uniform, crash pad, and QOL that has now been TRASHED commuting to MSP/DTW/MEN, you can drive a UPS truck and make the same amount of money!
SiouxHockeyFan has a good ALPA resume with Chairman and committee status, so he know what is in a contract how the loopholes that the company will do to get their way.

liv'n_on_credit, you clearly don't know anything about contract s and a small important thing called LOA's! You also quoted that the company is not violating the contract, I have a friend that is there and he has been violated a few times, and the great quote from EVERY Chief Pilot: "Do it and Grieve it!"
You also said that SiouxHockeyFan would make you miserable on a 4-day trip; I think that after you fly with him, you will be educated on the contract so much that you would realize that you don't know ******************** that you are talking about! I recommend that you read the contract, have working knowledge of it and then see how much the company does violate it!

SiouxHockeyFan, thanks for your trying to make Compost a better airline, and it will be a long hard road that you will be traversing to get this piot group to realize that they need a better contract!

I understand that ALL pilots that are at Compass Airlines did NOT sign this contract, nor did they have any say in this contract. This means that you have a long road ahead to get a better contract.
Not to bash the NWA pilots and LEC1, but you all might want to start thinking that you need your own union and MEC. The LEC 1 has alot going on, and I don't know how important your issues are compared to theirs.

 

[liv'n_on_credit]

SiouxHockeyFan has a good ALPA resume with Chairman and committee status, so he know what is in a contract how.

Well then, with those qualifications, he should have known to look at the Compass contract BEFORE he took the job...not take the job, and THEN complain. If he wants to make things better here, that's fine. But calling this place names and acting like a whining brat do not help makes things better. Volunteer on an ALPA committee...that will do more good than complaining.

You also quoted that the company is not violating the contract.

Re-read my post...I never said that. I said that they are not PURPOSELY violating the contract. We have a few brand new schedulers that are not very knowledgeable about the contract that you have to watch out for, but once you point out the violation to them, they always make it right, even if it's after you've "flown it and grieved it".

You also said that SiouxHockeyFan would make you miserable on a 4-day trip; I think that after you fly with him, you will be educated on the contract so much that you would realize that you don't know ******************** that you are talking about! I recommend that you read the contract, have working knowledge of it and then see how much the company does violate it!

I know the contract inside and out...and am smart enough to read it BEFORE I accept the job, unlike some people. I would love to fly with someone on a 4-day trip who is intelligent enough to MATURELY discuss our contract, and it's flaws...but NOT someone who just complains and complains about it...and then calls OUR company names. Only a fool would accept a job, then start trashing it and calling it names before even working a single day on the line.

SiouxHockeyFan, thanks for your trying to make Compost a better airline, and it will be a long hard road that you will be traversing to get this piot group to realize that they need a better contract!

But you see...he's NOT making the company better. Like I said before, there's nothing wrong at all with going on a public message board and pointing out the bad parts of a contract for people to see, IN A RESPECTABLE MANNER. Talking about it, and telling everyone where we need to improve the contract is all fine, but when you resort to calling us names like a child, that's where SIOUX and YOU lose all credibility.

 

[Mav204]

Re-read my post...I never said that. I said that they are not PURPOSELY violating the contract. We have a few brand new schedulers that are not very knowledgeable about the contract that you have to watch out for, but once you point out the violation to them, they always make it right, even if it's after you've "flown it and grieved it".

If they PURPOSELY or just violate the contract it is wrong. A scheduler or chief pilot should NEVER ask, "Can you wave the contract to help us out?" because WHEN will they help you out by them waiving the contract? My airline asks this and all do, but this is somthing that should never happen.
I guess that I would have higher expectations from a company and CBA that was signed post 9-11.

 

[WSurf]

Not to bash the NWA pilots and LEC1, but you all might want to start thinking that you need your own union and MEC. The LEC 1 has alot going on, and I don't know how important your issues are compared to theirs.

Yea, I totally agree with that statement. However I do believe you will see a big shake up with what's going on at the new Delta.

I do agree with living on credit on the fact you should know what your getting yourself into when you take a job.

Bottom line is that all regionals have their up and down cycles. Look at Piedmont Airlines... From what I have heard it used to be the place everyone wanted to come to. We have a pretty good contract, but what good is that to some people when there are no upgrades and no new planes are in sight.

Comair & AirWiskey were also great places to go. Now they have furloughs and downgrades. And havent seen growth in awhile.

ConEx, just signed a concessionary agreement.

I think Compass does have something to offer people. We had a few people leave PDT to go there and are now captains on the 175 (even though they would have also been captains at PDT now also) and seem to be very happy. People don't seem to really get mad at there company until growth stops. Once you stop getting planes and upgrades stop then its even more important to have a good working contract that makes FO pay livable.

This industry is a coin toss, you have to be lucky and at the right place at the right time.

So what it really boils down too......... Try and enjoy this crazy profession you have chosen because there are alot of bumps and curves in this career.

Sad thing is..... I would do it all over again so far, I just hope that my love of flying can withstand the abuse of the job.

Good Luck to everyone.

 

[liv'n_on_credit]

If they PURPOSELY or just violate the contract it is wrong.

Of course it's wrong, even if it's not on purpose...who said it was right? I only said that they are very willing to make it right when they do make an honest contract violation.

A scheduler or chief pilot should NEVER ask, "Can you wave the contract to help us out?" because WHEN will they help you out by them waiving the contract?

You are correct, but, please tell we what airline you're talking about, because I have not heard of that happening at Compass.

I guess that I would have higher expectations from a company and CBA that was signed post 9-11.

Me too, that's why I came here. So far, besides proposing to my wife, it's been the best decision I've ever made. Me and every single pilot I've EVER talked to here is happy with Compass, despite some contract flaws.

 

[DrewBlows]

If they PURPOSELY or just violate the contract it is wrong. A scheduler or chief pilot should NEVER ask, "Can you wave the contract to help us out?" because WHEN will they help you out by them waiving the contract? My airline asks this and all do, but this is somthing that should never happen.
I guess that I would have higher expectations from a company and CBA that was signed post 9-11.

I guess it's a good thing Compass is not your airline. I have never been asked to violate the contract. Schedulers have made a few mistakes that violated the contract but when I brought it to their attention they quickly fixed the problem and apologized. From my own unscientific poll this is the norm.

Compass isn't a bad place to work. Our contract isn't that bad. I worked under the Comair contract pre-bankruptcy, and it wasn't the utopia some make it out to be. The pay rates were better than most, but the day-to-day work rules weren't the best and the company actively attempted to violate the contract. That doesn't happen at Compass.

In my opinion most regional contracts are about the same. Compass isn't the greatest place to work but I don't think the contract warrents name calling.

If you wanted Southwest you should have gotten hired at Southwest.

 

[Mav204]

Yea, I totally agree with that statement. However I do believe you will see a big shake up with what's going on at the new Delta.

I do agree with living on credit on the fact you should know what your getting yourself into when you take a job.

Bottom line is that all regionals have their up and down cycles. Look at Piedmont Airlines... From what I have heard it used to be the place everyone wanted to come to. We have a pretty good contract, but what good is that to some people when there are no upgrades and no new planes are in sight.

Comair & AirWiskey were also great places to go. Now they have furloughs and downgrades. And havent seen growth in awhile.

ConEx, just signed a concessionary agreement.

I think Compass does have something to offer people. We had a few people leave PDT to go there and are now captains on the 175 (even though they would have also been captains at PDT now also) and seem to be very happy. People don't seem to really get mad at there company until growth stops. Once you stop getting planes and upgrades stop then its even more important to have a good working contract that makes FO pay livable.

This industry is a coin toss, you have to be lucky and at the right place at the right time.

So what it really boils down too......... Try and enjoy this crazy profession you have chosen because there are alot of bumps and curves in this career.

Sad thing is..... I would do it all over again so far, I just hope that my love of flying can withstand the abuse of the job.

Good Luck to everyone.

PDT/AWAC/Comair/EXJ/MidWest WERE great places to work with good pay rates and work rules, now Republic/Compass/Mesa are undercutting us, taking the jobs, and people are going over there to "Get that upgrade".
When these companies are taking jobs like RAH with Midwest, what do have to look forward to when we upgrade, to fly that RJ 170 forever!
Regionals/commuter airlines should not be flying large aircraft for low pay.
Lets just look at PDT and Compass; first year pay at PDT for a FO on a 37 and 50 seat TurboProp is $25/hr, Compass is $24 to fly a 69 seat JET! That is NOT good!
It is all known that the ERJ 175 is taking over routes that the DC-9's flew!