Compass/Skywest Memo

I had a pretty decent time there during my 7+ years. What happened to make you so bitter? Just seems a bit strange.
I dunno, mandatory 90 hour lines of 4-day trips with 2 days off in between for almost the entire time might be a good start. And I'm mad because the whipsaw is still a thing too, and I don't like seeing non-union jobs created through the destruction of union ones. Even if it is "pretty good."

But in greater detail, this:
Depends on the base and when you got out. IMO east and west of Denver it's like two completely different companies.
My experience there is that it was three or even four different airlines, and they are wildly different depending on where you are in the system and the equipment you operate; there was also a marked shift in the culture with the new management team.

The Brasilia was the best and it was fun work. It was a lot of work, of course. But it was enjoyable and something of the pirate navy not the actual navy.

The 175 had some of that piratical spirit, at the beginning. 90+ hour lines became old in a hurry.

Then there's the CRJ. Upon which I flew 90 hour lines with 2 days off in between, when I wasn't just going "meh" and bidding for short call because on average I slept more that way.

And without delving too deeply I considered a lot of what I saw behind the "curtain" to be downright ugly, as well. You'll have to buy me a beer to hear about that in greater detail, though.

The flying was fantastic, the QOL went in the •ter about 3-4 years in and yeah, try being a SAPA rep.
 
I’m starting to think they should have watched “Up in the Air”, paying special attention to George Clooney’s role before writing ANY memos. There is a more nominal method of handling these things.

I remember one line from that movie: "She doesn't have the experience. We're here to do some damage".
 
Or being “represented” by them.

(Not you, but let’s just say we all know who they really represent, and it ain’t the pilots)

In my experience it was basically divided in thirds - some of us were purely pro pilot, another quite friendly to management, then folks kind of in the middle. It isn’t so much the reps don’t want to represent the pilot group, it’s that the structure that exists basically ensures the ball remains in mgt’s court. Good intentions get nowhere fast.

Change the structure, then things have a better chance at moving along.
 
I dunno, mandatory 90 hour lines of 4-day trips with 2 days off in between for almost the entire time might be a good start. And I'm mad because the whipsaw is still a thing too, and I don't like seeing non-union jobs created through the destruction of union ones. Even if it is "pretty good."

But in greater detail, this:

My experience there is that it was three or even four different airlines, and they are wildly different depending on where you are in the system and the equipment you operate; there was also a marked shift in the culture with the new management team.

The Brasilia was the best and it was fun work. It was a lot of work, of course. But it was enjoyable and something of the pirate navy not the actual navy.

The 175 had some of that piratical spirit, at the beginning. 90+ hour lines became old in a hurry.

Then there's the CRJ. Upon which I flew 90 hour lines with 2 days off in between, when I wasn't just going "meh" and bidding for short call because on average I slept more that way.

And without delving too deeply I considered a lot of what I saw behind the "curtain" to be downright ugly, as well. You'll have to buy me a beer to hear about that in greater detail, though.

The flying was fantastic, the QOL went in the •ter about 3-4 years in and yeah, try being a SAPA rep.

Basically this, it wasn’t perfect, I was there too long, embraced being that ‘union guy’ by SGU types, made great friends, got frustrated as all hell at times, enjoyed the crews and [most] of the overnights.
 
Or being “represented” by them.

(Not you, but let’s just say we all know who they really represent, and it ain’t the pilots)

Told you not to do it.

I’d really like to see more of an effort from pilots as a community to dissuade people from going to work there. Too much “yeah, they’re non union and fornicate over everyone else because of it, but...”
 
Depends on the base and when you got out. IMO east and west of Denver it's like two completely different companies.

I took first available upgrade, which was MSP. It was only for a few months before I got back west, but still it was ok. I was also TDYd to DTW a lot as a perma-reserve captain. The company had its antics, but they all do. Even the majors.

I’m just surprised to see that make a person super bitter even after they’re long gone.
 
Told you not to do it.

I’d really like to see more of an effort from pilots as a community to dissuade people from going to work there. Too much “yeah, they’re non union and fornicate over everyone else because of it, but...”
In my experience it was basically divided in thirds - some of us were purely pro pilot, another quite friendly to management, then folks kind of in the middle. It isn’t so much the reps don’t want to represent the pilot group, it’s that the structure that exists basically ensures the ball remains in mgt’s court. Good intentions get nowhere fast.

Change the structure, then things have a better chance at moving along.
Which makes it useless.
 
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