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Old 03-28-2013, 08:30 AM
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Slats
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Joined APC: May 2012
Posts: 1,071
Default SkyWest pilot Bridge Program

As SkyWest continues to prepare for more changes in our industry, including 1) the mandated Airline Transport Pilot license required to pilot an FAR 121 operated aircraft, 2) the new rest rules that will take effect next year, and 3) the out flux of retiring pilots from a variety of major airlines combined with the robust draw of airline pilots from international carriers, we are pleased to once again become a leader with initiation of a pilot bridge program. This program provides a unique opportunity to help prepare our future pilots and coworkers – creating a “Bridge” for aspiring pilots to be mentored for their future as professional aviators, especially at SkyWest Airlines.

The SkyWest Pilot Bridge Program is a coast-to-coast effort to mentor our future aviators in a number of ways. We are joining forces with a number of Aviation Colleges, Flight Academies, State Colleges and Universities, as well as Flight Schools who are already providing exceptional pilots to our pilot group, to help aspiring pilots become what more than 3,200 other pilots at SkyWest have become professionally.

The first of these “Bridge” agreements came last week with SkyWest Airlines partnering with McAir Aviation, located between Denver and Boulder in Colorado. We look forward to working with this program and believe it will be the first of many opportunities.

So what is SkyWest’s “Bridge” program all about, and what sets this apart from other gateway programs used by other regional carriers?
First of all, the SkyWest Recruiters/Interview team will have the opportunity to meet with many of these programs throughout the year to directly associate with and mentor aspiring pilots.

The team will sit on advisory councils associated with colleges and academies to provide industry insight and curriculum suggestions for adaptions that will better prepare their pilots to sit in our aircraft as professionals.

The SkyWest Bridge Program enables us to offer an Enhanced Internship Program (EIP) to flight instructors who work for these schools. The EIP will allow these interns to promote SkyWest within their own schools, at job fairs and at high school career days. In return for their efforts, SkyWest Airlines will be able to offer the interns flight benefits on SkyWest aircraft! The interns will also be given a date of hire and maintain their company ID throughout the program, which will continue when they are brought into an initial ground training class.
While visiting the varied aviation programs throughout the country and mentoring these pilots, the Interview team will also conduct mock interviews and will provide career council and direction to promote the Attitude, Professionalism, and Leadership found among the ranks of SkyWest pilots.
These efforts will not only prepare pilots for a Final interview at SkyWest, but will also engender safe, efficient and professional pilots to join the future ranks of those we associate with on a daily basis here at SkyWest.


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