Originally Posted by
flyinjgirl
Y I keep up with pilots at SKW still and it is a fact that since I left Portland, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and other bases have closed. Now those pilots must commute. Also, I know that the Bro pilots are not getting classes as quickly as some would've liked and that new hires are getting class dates before them. The upgrade times will take longer for recently hired jet pilots while the Bro pilots filter in and many California based bro pilots will now have to commute to out of state bases. And it's rumored that Skywest has lost contracts to Trans States in Denver for United. Not sure if want to be in that mix right now. Skywest has its strong points but like many have said, regionals should be a stepping stone not a career if you ever want to make 6 figures which it cost most of us to be pilots.
They're definitely closing bases in small towns (except the Mx bases), but that's pretty much done with at this point. The real upside to SKW is large hub bases in the west, that's not going to change anytime soon.
The bro pilots are mostly transitioned, except for a few niche bases. New-hires will not really notice much pain from that direction and it will be over with in a month or two anyway.
The bro pilots ALL had the chance to transition last year...some decided to try and wait until the end but ended up seat-locked on reserve as junior folks left. But that was 100% predictable
, nobody to blame but yourself. They are pay protected at jet rates though.
The decision to come work at SKW used to be a no-brainer if you got an offer but now folks really need to consider all variables and options. It's a good bet if you have PIC but need some jet or FW time and the domicile geography works for you.