Originally Posted by MikeB525
Just a couple questions: How do you guys like being non-union?
I love the CRJ, but if I were to get hired by SKW and assigned to the Brasilia, how long would I have to wait before I could switch to the CRJ?
Can anyone say if the SkyWest CRJ-700 Aspen rumor has any truth in them, and give any details?
Looking at the pay charts on APC, it looks like SkyWest is slightly above average compared to other CRJ operators (compared rates to Pinnacle, PSA, Comair, and ASA). Second year CRJ F/O rates look very nice. So far I've seen alot of people on the forums saying negative things about Mesa, Pinnacle, etc., but I haven't heard anything genuinely bad against SkyWest. It looks like a great company and they are absolutely number one on my wish list.
I flew on a SKW CRJ2 once and it was a pleasant experience. Crew was from COS.
On a more general note, can any CRJ drivers out there tell me what they think about the plane? I've found an online studyguide website and have looked through it all, plus I got a full color cockpit poster on my wall and can find my way around all the displays and switches fairly well. It looks like a fun plane.
A buddy at SKW told me last week they are going to do the Aspen thing. I doubt the CRJ200 could meet the single engine specs, so the 700 makes sense
SKW should be number one on your wishlist if you like the western US (or Horizon if you live up there). Their payscale combined with their WORK RULES makes for pretty good compensation. Pay scale alone doesn't tell the whole story...you have to find out when EXACTLY does that pay scale apply. At Mesa, it almost never applies unless you are operating an aircraft, and then it often applies only partially.
I enjoy the ergonomics and handling of the CRJ. The 700 has plenty of performance, but the 200 (especially after the engines are worn out) is a dog when full, high, or hot. An engine failure on takeoff in a loaded 200 in a high-density alt situation could be a serious problem. I truly believe that the engines on those don't make the power they are supposed to after they are "broken in". They also have serious problems climbing to higher altitudes, you can barely get into the high 20s/low 30s at 500fpm on some days. ATC loves em...not. The airplane is rated to FL410 but most operators have restricted them to 370 (following the Pinnacle crash) and I wouldn't even go that high full. Also operational experience shows that the 200 is prone to high-altitude stalls if not flown very carefully at higher altitudes. Some of these stalls were due to operating the autopilot in "newspaper mode" while climbing out. A high altitude stall in a swept wing jet is not like a cessna 172...you'll instantly become a ballistic re-entry vehicle and lose like 4000-10000 feet, and probably separation with somebody (look out below!). If you work at SKW you can eventually upgrade into the 700 and never have to fly the 200.
I've never flown an ERJ, but I haven't heard anything bad about them either.
Save this link and if you get into the CRJ read up on it...
http://www.alpa.org/DesktopModules/A...1316&Tabid=256