This is essentially the "pay to play" scheme that Comair and a few other scumbags tried in the 1990's. It was understood among pilots not to apply to these airlines in order to get them to drop their training-for-pay policy. In fact, if you did go to those places you were *almost* considered a scab. It takes *all* of us to force the companies not to implement these policies. Prisoner's Dilemma - look it up.

As others have asked, who is independently auditing SkyWest to show that you are in fact going to the front of the line? I enjoying the flying at SkyWest, but I did not like the company. I did not trust them - they are dishonest, conniving, secretive, and don't play by the rules. And if *everyone* signs up for it, then you are right back where you started except now you have an $80k contract.

Unless WN is your final destination, stay away from SkyWest.