Originally Posted by WaterRooster

Ahhh but you see he has that "Rotor Stink" to him. We are not the same as all the AF/Navy flyers. Apparently our hours of crew coordination and hand flying 100knts at 100AGL don't count. But flying a fighter at 25k to drop a laser guided is better experience.....

Originally Posted by tcco94

Also, people flying their own metal will beat out WO anyways....

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Originally Posted by greenroute

It probably is though because at the airlines you're going to fly a jet at 25,000ft, not a helicopter at 100agl.

Originally Posted by Taco280AI

I appreciate the responses. I have my Bachelor's and two graduate certificates. SkyWest does stand out from the others from what I've read in QOL and offers west coast bases and would absolutely be my top choice, but from what I'm seeing (and again, may be missing something) others are paying up to $25k more with higher hourly and bonuses. That's a big chunk of change. Now I'm not driven to fly based on money, but I do have to pay the bills.

What I really want to do is fly again. In the past four months I've flown a combined total of 9 hours. Yes, 9 whole hours. Minimums are 8 per month, but with numerous AC in reset, transferring AC to different companies since we're getting new ones, flight hours are very low right now. At least in Afghanistan we were getting 40+ a month (30-60 usually). Came to the Army to fly, and that is the smallest part of my job. Certainly appreciate everything it has provided, but will move on asap.

Not saying SkyWest would take me, but for those who are with them is the QOL worth the lower pay? In your opinion and experiences, for yourself. Just brainstorming options for the future. QOL with a few years of lower pay vs suck it up (the Army way) and get paid better for a few years.

Probably enough talking from me for a while. Stay in the books, continue with FW training, eyes and ears open, mouth shut.

Originally Posted by Jet Jockey 00

We have mainline travel benefits so if it's painted American we are priority. We also get the same healthcare and profit sharing as mainline. I flew first class last two times non reving. You are priority on your jumpseat if that is what you meant.

Originally Posted by tcco94

So you guys will beat me on AA but I can just hop on UAL/DL with my family as well. I'm just saying the non-rev life outside of WO isn't bad at all....actually isn't even a problem at all. We will all have days we get bumped and don't make it. I don't see how one could have problems with it unless they went to a regional that only had one airline benefits and wasn't a WO with a crappy priority.

I've read you guys had some stellar health care which is great. Didn't know how much you guys made in profit sharing though at the end of the year. Is it a nice bonus?

Originally Posted by tcco94

Flying standby is not that difficult.

Not sure how American goes (which I heard is a stupid check in time) but I never had troubles as a ramp agent for DGS and that's bottom of the barrel priority. We were S4 on OO. United standby sucks but again not even bad.

Also, people flying their own metal will beat out WO anyways....

Standby travel always has it's ups and downs. Picking a regional based off that is a bit much....especially with other non-WO regionals will give you multiple benefits for different carriers making you bound to make one flight...

Originally Posted by LAX2MSP

SkyWest gives you AA DL UA if you are CRJ in LAX PHX or ORD. Outside of those bases, DL and UA are default.

Originally Posted by Jet Jockey 00

AAGs profit sharing pool was about 300 mil this year so it came out to be 3% of your W2 earnings. Nothing like the other big two but I'm not complaining. It was money I didn't have before and we also get performance bonus's throughout the year.

Originally Posted by Taco280AI

As far as Skywest goes, if I were able to afford their lower pay it would be my top choice. I'd have to really look at it though. And if I had a choice, I'd prefer to live out west. With that said, I'm used to going where I have to, where I'm told, being away - Germany, Poland, Afghanistan, and various field exercises. No kids to be away from, the lady and I are already long distance. I'm not asking what is best for you, but what airline you'd favor. And I get it, there are many reasons to choose one over another that will have a large impact on your life. And there also might be factors I haven't thought of, or am aware of yet - I know there are plenty of things I didn't know about prior to the Army, that I wish I knew before.

Thanks again