Just a Mushroom,

Thanks for the insight.

My thoughts are as follows...

Management pilots are picked by the company at ALPA carriers too I thought? You being CA have obviously been in the industry a few years longer, but I am pretty sure at Trans States chief pilots were chosen by the company. When I started with Trans States, I was in their office as I was looking for a former boss of mine when I was an intern. I asked one of the asst. chiefs, "will I have a job in a year?" jokingly as we all know the way the industry is. The management pilot replied, "you can go to GeJet, they are hiring, two year upgrade." And the best part is, he was serious! A year later after discussing some options with management pilots AFTER I left Trans States and went corporate, I didn't like the corporate job and I asked this person's opinion on going back to the airlines. Same group of management pilots, different person, but actually said that GoJet would be a wise option since I wouldn't have to commute!!!

Any management pilot is USUALLY pro-company! Hence, why else are they in management!


Being a new hire and having no experience with management at SkyWest, especially as a captain, makes it difficult to see things in a different light. It was the same way where I was in the sense that the CA is held responsible for everything as well. The only difference is, because of the pilot/management relationship, guys were fired before being brought in to be heard and had to do the grievance process through ALPA. They were rewarded their jobs back and Trans States had the nerve to NOT let the guys back on property!!! So I think they are in court again as I was leaving when this was going on.

Again, I wasn't around for the 900 pay deal and yes, the no 700/900 pay scale sucks. But, I have heard and only seen good things about SkyWest COMPARED to other places and my own experiences. It appears as if everyone is happy here, and if it will in fact make management upset, why fight that? They ULTIMATELY AND UNFORTUNATELY are the ones who have the upper hand until it comes to a strike! I personally don't think it is worth ruining whatever relationship we have.

You mentioned that management has to consult the pilot group first. They consulted the guys at Trans States with a worse contract than the one we had and it was voted down by the pilots, just as management assumed it would be. Then, guess where the GoJet flying went? Management is still laughing about it and guess who is the VP of Fight Ops at GoJet? The former VP of Flight Ops at Trans States. Point being, management pilots are probably pro-management, more so that pro-pilot.

I just think that no matter what, management is probably going to have the upper hand in most cases. If we can at least sit down and discuss things with them without it being in a hostile environment, that is worth it to me to not have whatever protection ALPA claims to bring in.

Thanks for your thoughts and I hope you don't take anything of my comments of yours personal! Just trying to figure out what is best for my career at SkyWest. Again, I haven't been around long enough to see if all of the stuff they put on in ground school is just a show or if it is for real! Thanks!