Originally Posted by
TheTransporter
The only reason you are more cost effiecient then Horizon is because of the size of skywest. It has nothing to do with your sub par waiges. If the QX pilots had taken the pay cut asked for by the Error Group, then it would have saved less then 5 million a year.
None of Horizon's pilots are currently paid what they are worth. You ever shot a hand flown Cat 3 to minimums at Skywest? Or shoot a Cat 3 to mins with an engine out on a check ride (only airline in the world approved for it)? QX does things that NO one else does. So STOP comparing your self and your crappy regional (they are all crappy) to others.
What you are really doing by posting these kinds of comments is Rationalizing to YOUR SELF why you should be doing this flying, instead of a QX or alaska pilot. Go back to Embry Riddle or UND, and quit bringing OUR profession down.
TheTransporter
Thanks for the first post, Welcome
I'm glad you took the time to explain yourself, I hope over time you don't resort to one liners like so many others. Ultimately though, of course it is your prerogative.
I'm not rationalizing anything, because I don't have anything to defend. I don't think SkyWest does or does not deserve any flying that we do, I was simply explaining why I believe we have acquired it. You are totally right about the economies of scale and that the Horizon pilot group is comprised of some very skilled pilots, probably some of the best out there at what they do. I guess that "value" of being able to execute a Cat III approach on a single engine, although impressive, didn't justify the higher cost that they are being paid. Furthermore, I believe that SkyWest pilots would be up to the challenge of Cat III certification should the need ever arise.
I'm not sure either of us understand what is meant by "sub-par" wages. SkyWest pilots are payed better than most regional pilots out there. So what would par be if we are above average? What we deserve? How would that be determined? What about Delta pilots who used to make 50% more than they do now, yet still gross over 200 grand a year. Are they making "sub-par" wages? When would their wages be "on par?" Would the union determine "par" wages? Then who would ensure they're enforced? If there was that kind of unity between unionized pilot groups then would the regionals even exist the way they do now?
Just as a side note, it seems that people who are innocent rarely try to appeal to your "feelings," they ask you to simply look at the facts. Rationalization and people who ask you to consider the extenuating circumstances are generally the ones trying to justify what they've done. At that point each of our judgments' are subjective. I'm not asking anyone to sacrifice themselves for my betterment and I will not sacrifice my values for another and on that note I'm not asking you to "see things my way," I'm just telling why I believe things are the way they are. I'm not embarrassed at all to go work tomorrow with SkyWest wings on my pilot shirt.