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-   -   Leaving for OTS soon..Interview with Skywest? (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/military/53963-leaving-ots-soon-interview-skywest.html)

Bill Brasky 10-08-2010 01:40 PM

Leaving for OTS soon..Interview with Skywest?
 
Hey Folks,

I will be leaving for Air Force OTS in the near future as a pilot select with the Air Force Reserves. I have an interview with Skywest for a ramp agent position. Anyone have experience with Skywest? I am worried that I might burn a bridge by taking the job only to leave a few months later for a two year Air Force UPT pipeline. However, Skywest seems like a great company to work for and I might have a way to pay the bills/lobby for a pilot job if/when I have completed the UPT pipeline and I'm back on traditional status with the Reserves. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Stratosphere 10-09-2010 08:23 PM


Originally Posted by Bill Brasky (Post 881965)
Hey Folks,

I will be leaving for Air Force OTS in the near future as a pilot select with the Air Force Reserves. I have an interview with Skywest for a ramp agent position. Anyone have experience with Skywest? I am worried that I might burn a bridge by taking the job only to leave a few months later for a two year Air Force UPT pipeline. However, Skywest seems like a great company to work for and I might have a way to pay the bills/lobby for a pilot job if/when I have completed the UPT pipeline and I'm back on traditional status with the Reserves. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Well I am not military but have worked in aviation for a looong time. I have come to the conclusion that companies these days are not loyal to YOU they look out for their own bottom line. That does not mean that you cannot leave on good terms. Explain the situation and give them decent notice 2 weeks if you can. Most companies will understand and will not hold it against you. Do not pass up an opportunity for military training. In the end you need to look out for YOUR best interest and not feel guilty about leaving a job you just started. Just gave that advice to a friend who just took a job with Lockheed and has an opportunity at a job he always wanted. Just be fair when you leave and have no regrets.

rickair7777 10-10-2010 10:04 AM

To my knowledge, SKW has not intentionally hassled anyone over military leave in recent memory. They don't always have a complete understanding of the federal law which protects us and may need to be enlightened on occasion, but they have always been supportive.

I would probably take the job if you can...when you finish military training and get a few hours under your belt you would qualify for a pilot job at SKW and your previous ramper employment would count towards longevity for benefit purposes....and that will include ALL the time you were on military leave. You could reasonably be a first-year pilot with 3-4 years of benefit longevity. This will not count for pay or seniority, but will count for things like vacation accrual, performance bonuses, 401K contributions, non-rev priority.

Bill Brasky 10-11-2010 03:03 PM

Stratosphere and Rick,

Thank you for your advice. I interviewed today and things went fairly well. 40 people showed up for an openhouse interview which consisted of a group interview and a one on one interview with the SFO Skywest staff. I find out Friday if I'm hired. Thanks again.

Airborne1 10-11-2010 04:15 PM

Being a ramp agent might help but I have a friend doing the same thing. My friend discovered that there are many ramp agents have their commercial pilots license and the line is long when trying to get from the ramp to the cockpit. Just something else to think about.

rickair7777 10-11-2010 04:53 PM


Originally Posted by Airborne1 (Post 883341)
Being a ramp agent might help but I have a friend doing the same thing. My friend discovered that there are many ramp agents have their commercial pilots license and the line is long when trying to get from the ramp to the cockpit. Just something else to think about.

It seems to work at SKW. Once you have enough hours (1000) you are pretty much guaranteed an interview (which you still have to pass). This of course assumes SKW is hiring.

AZFlyer 10-12-2010 09:51 AM


Originally Posted by Airborne1 (Post 883341)
Being a ramp agent might help but I have a friend doing the same thing. My friend discovered that there are many ramp agents have their commercial pilots license and the line is long when trying to get from the ramp to the cockpit. Just something else to think about.

Probably true of most airlines. There are a surprising amount of pilots working on the ramp. (Myself included! :()

It seems every couple of weeks I come across another.

Corndawg88 10-12-2010 06:57 PM


Originally Posted by Bill Brasky (Post 881965)
Hey Folks,

I will be leaving for Air Force OTS in the near future as a pilot select with the Air Force Reserves. I have an interview with Skywest for a ramp agent position. Anyone have experience with Skywest? I am worried that I might burn a bridge by taking the job only to leave a few months later for a two year Air Force UPT pipeline. However, Skywest seems like a great company to work for and I might have a way to pay the bills/lobby for a pilot job if/when I have completed the UPT pipeline and I'm back on traditional status with the Reserves. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

I dunno man, I've worked with SkyWest Airlines for 4 years, on the ramp and now in OPs. The BST and OJT takes about a month to do, if you only work for them for the next month, I think you might burn the bridge to come back and fly for them later.

Good luck on your decision.

What station are you going to?

rickair7777 10-12-2010 08:23 PM


Originally Posted by Corndawg88 (Post 883913)
I dunno man, I've worked with SkyWest Airlines for 4 years, on the ramp and now in OPs. The BST and OJT takes about a month to do, if you only work for them for the next month, I think you might burn the bridge to come back and fly for them later.


1. That's illegal.

2. Flight Ops could not possibly care less what other departments think, they will make their own hiring decisions unless there is documented bad performance. And some ramp supervisor can't document "bad performance" due to military leave, HR would kabosh that in instant since it would only be hard evidence for the lawsuit.

3. The federal government, which used to somewhat lackluster on this, has lately gotten very serious about nailing employers wo mistreat military reserves...they have to take care of the people who are fighting their wars for them. Employers know this and are treading very lightly right now.

Corndawg88 10-13-2010 07:40 PM


Originally Posted by rickair7777 (Post 883968)
1. That's illegal.

2. Flight Ops could not possibly care less what other departments think, they will make their own hiring decisions unless there is documented bad performance. And some ramp supervisor can't document "bad performance" due to military leave, HR would kabosh that in instant since it would only be hard evidence for the lawsuit.

3. The federal government, which used to somewhat lackluster on this, has lately gotten very serious about nailing employers wo mistreat military reserves...they have to take care of the people who are fighting their wars for them. Employers know this and are treading very lightly right now.

Yeah, that wasn't quiet what I was getting at......


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