Skywest
 

Will skywest lower their mins now that the industry is desperate? Or will they remain picky for that 1000tt min....

I believe they already have, or they are planning on it. We are losing pilots to attrition, and we're growing even faster with RJ's. You can bet you'll see them lower their minimums.

They will do everything they can to avoid it except for raising pay. I would expect to see things like bonuses (think chatauqua) for people willing to switch carriers before they lower the mins. My opinion is they will EVENTUALLY be forced to lower them, but I wouldn't expect it anytime real soon.

What about in 2 years? That's when i'll be ready to go

Seem like everyone is dropping their time except Skywest and Horizon. Horizon doesnt seem to have a problem finding pilots. Think they ever will?

Horizon will never have too much trouble... they have the advantage of bases in the Pac NW. If you want to live there and you work for another carrier you are faced with a tough commute, or ridiculously senior bases.

How senior is Skywest's Portland base?
They have a lot of service out of PDX and SEA. I am surprised they don't have a SEA base. They have atleast twice as much service as SBA, MRY, SAN...

It's only a E-120 base. For F.O.'s not senior, however, for CP very senior.

i doubt skywest will offer bonuses before they lower their time

Why not?? They could shorten the training program, thereby reducing the overall cost of training. (That's what CHQ is doing.) They get to keep their insurance down because they'll have relatively experienced pilots. They wouldn't have to raise pay to the whole seniority list. I think this may be the direction that SkyWest would prefer to go instead of lowering mins. But who knows. I of course would prefer they just raise pay across the board to encourage pilots to come over, but that's a pipe dream. If CHQ finds that this bonus program works for them, I would expect all the carriers that have large hiring needs to follow them down that path. Perhaps they'll try Eagle's guarantee for a base thing, but most of our large bases can be held pretty early, so I don't think that'd be a major attractor to SkyWest. Like I said, they may have to EVENTUALLY lower them, but I wouldn't expect them to start doing that real soon. The cost to them to give bonuses would probably be lower than the increase in insurance costs if they started hiring lower time guys.

They'll raise first year pay before paying bonuses, this way they can spread compensation out over a period of time. Even if they raised pay $3-$6/hr., it would still be cheaper for them than paying a bonus. This slight raise might create enough interest in SKYW to create "Ship-jumpers" from other airlines.

I believe they will soon. I was talking to Mr. Hyatt and he said its being looked into the only problem is at upgrade times within two years the low time guys won't have enought time to upgrade.

This is a race to the … TOP. All these airlines desperate for pilots will start offering more and more money. New hires will go with the highest offer. Those airlines that lag behind in compensation will be wiped out. Six figure starting salaries will be expected.

Well, maybe not! :)

RBC,
I could be guessing here but.... I don't think the experience level of the F.O. is a big factor in the insurance that an airline pays. The time requirements of the captain might be an issue but I'm not even sure about that. Plus some airlines are self insured anyway.

I see what you mean, but what about the math.

$3 x 900 hours (75 hrs at least per month x 12 months) = $2700
$4 x 900 hours (75 hrs at least per month x 12 months) = $3600
$5 x 900 hours (75 hrs at least per month x 12 months) = $4500
$6 x 900 hours (75 hrs at least per month x 12 months) = $5400

Or a $2500-$3000 bonus? Apples and Oranges right?

It could cost the company more to increase pay than give a bonus, especially seeing that pilots aren't sitting reserve for very long and end up crediting 85-95 hrs per month. In that case a $3000 bonus is less than increasing first year pay.

Not to mention that if SKW offers a bonus they can resend the offer at any time where a bump in first year pay is a little more complicated. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the bump in pay and think that it should happen for more than just this reason.

nope theyll just lower mins.

We are already getting quite a few ship jumpers now! There is 4 in my class now that jumped ship while they were still in training at other 121 carriers.

Hey, you're not allowed to use a computer for anything other than practicing your flows! :D

I may not be the most knowledgable person about this, but I specifically asked about this during my interview. After my interview was over, the capt who did the interview specifically asked me if I had any friends who were interested in coming as well, cause they needed resumes. So I asked if the would take someone with 121/turbine time if he was under 1000. He said they couldn't because of insurance. Maybe he didn't know what he was talking about either, but that's what he said.

Ellen-if they raise first pay that goes to everyone, not just brand new hires, they would avoid that if they could, but I hope you're right, cause $19 a hour is too low.

I'm hearing 800/100 very soon.

Just like ATP's 850/100, that will be for the interview. If a pilot gets hired then they’ll receive a "conditional offer of employment" stating that they must have 1000/100 prior to starting ground school. I could be wrong but this is how it was explained to me 2 weeks ago when I walked two friends resumes in to Camielle. Both received interview calls that same day.