The December emb class at SkyWest just got pushed back to January. Reason unknown.

I agree about staying to get your check airman letter or instructor quals. It really helps open some doors. Go to a job fair and you will get constantly asked if you are a LCA. Build a little more PIC time while you work to get it and work your connections. Allegiant loves lakers. 12 guys going to Omni. HAL hire was a check airman on the 120 with no internal recs. Several more Lakers (with 1900 time only) in the interview process at HAL. XO jet has taken a bunch of Lakers as well. 5 guys recently went to Alaska with only 1900 time.

With lakes being as small as it is, I feel that one can make better networking connections that will pay off more in the future.

Also, maybe I'm just a glass half full kind of dude, but I was around back in '07 when Lakes was loosing 10-20 guys/month. We had a seniority list of about 270 and we lost 130 in 12 months. wWe knew guys that went straight to Delta, NW, Omni, Southern, Kalita, Allegiant, and a bunch went to corporate gigs. It seemed like there was direct flow through to Frontier. Age 65 has beat us down so hard it's hard to remember what the good times looked like.

I feel that some version of that is coming again.

They seem to be "stocking up" on pilots right now, maybe in anticipation of major hiring. Since it appears to be preemptive hiring, they may not have a sense of urgency that would lead to bonuses. But there's a reason others are offering bonuses. The "bonus" at SKW is western bases, no contract, and relatively good management and work rules (except reserve).

I've heard they've had a little trouble filling classes but again it doesn't look urgent at this point...we have plenty of pilots.