Originally Posted by LAX2MSP

I'll be straight forward. SkyWest is not the best financial choice right now for first year FOs with other regionals promising 60K (before tax.) If 60K makes it worth it to commute to NYC to fly a E145 or a -200, go for it. That is some HARD flying out there. Commuting sucks and at the end of the day, it's called a retention bonus for a reason. We have bases everywhere, as I'm sure you are aware of and you pretty much will get your top pick after 6 months.

People bring up that they would rather be stuck at SkyWest rather than anywhere else because the bottom line, it's too big to fail. Contracts with 4 majors and growth still occurring speaks volume. This hiring boom will not last forever. The Dow Jones is above 20,000 and it's been +8 years since the last recession. This industry is cyclical and so is the global economy. Oil is already on the rise again.

Upgrades are below 2 years and falling. 175s are still being delivers and CRJ contracts are being renewed. MX is excellent as well, even with older 200s. I've flown a total of 3 planes that had an MEL this last year.

It's a darn good product. There is a reason why we have contracts with 4 majors. They also like to hire are pilots. We have people move on to every major, cargo or LCC airline you can name.

We do have some pretty good benefits as well. 401(k) matching is 3% your first year and you will eventually get quarterly performance bonuses as well as performance rewards. We have stock purchase options that give you 5% off share price. Depending on base and aircraft, you could have flight benefits of AA, DL and UA. AS benefits are not so common but at minimum, you can go on SkyWest operated flight, no matter what the side of the plane says.

The training is great and the people you work with are fantastic as well. By no means am I saying we are the best regional, I just can't name one that I would rather be at.