Let me turn this thread around to the positive (for SkyWest).

There's lots of potential business on the horizon. We don't even have to wait for Mesa to implode to get some of their United flying. Plus, when they do inevitably tank, there will be a ready supply of pilots and planes on the market that I feel we can put to good use.

To my knowledge, Southwest still hasn't determined if / who will do their proposed regional flying. I can't help but think that we can't be competitive in the bid.

It's conceivable that we could get some USAir flying. I would think that Continental isn't out of the question. What's American gunna do when (if) they sell AE ?

I wouldn't worry about SkyWest. Surely, something can come out of left field, but like I tell everybody... if we tank, chances are that the INDUSTRY is tanking. You won't be safe anywhere.

If you're over at ExpressJet, and so concerned about us, why not throw in your application? We still plan on hiring 600 this year, and as you know, many of our new hires come from other regionals. It has to be that way when our minimums are the highest.

Also, expect our first year pay to go up SUBSTANTIALLY (like 20 to 30 percent). I don't expect our mins to go down, however.