ASA vs. Skywest
 

I am currently a CFI in Atlanta and I would love to fly for a regional that has a base in Atlanta. I know that if I fly for ASA I am guaranteed ATL and at Skywest I can bid for it. I would like some opinions on both of these airlines... contracts, QOL, pay, upgades, average hours flown per month, etc. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

This is a can of worms...you will get a lot of debate related to this subject.

But regardless of what people think about why and how it got that way, everyone should agree that SKW is by far the better place to be for the forseeable future.

Yeah, I don't want to come off as one of those guys who just started and is obsessed with his company, but I really can't see any advantages to ASA right now.

Unless you live in Atlanta and you want to have Atlanta 100% for sure, but you'd probably get it at SkyWest anyway.

I'd pick ASA if you are closer to their minimums, otherwise go to SKW.

I work for ASA so take this with a grain of salt.

Why not interview at both places if you have the time. Talk to the pilots at both places get a feel for the company while you are there. From there make your decisions, either way you will be flying an aircraft for a 121 carrier making ABOUT the same amount of money IN THE LONG RUN.

What a lot of people on this forum fail to realize is that not everyones choice A company will be that for everyone else. Choice B might work better for you and your needs. Just because XXXX on APC Forum says that SKY or RAH or XJT is the best company to work for doesn't mean that it is the best company for YOU to work at.

hope this helps
~m

Don't forget that you don't really know how long it would take to get ATL at SKW. You could be stuck some place you don't want to be for a while.

The bottom half (9 of 18) FO's in ATL have hire dates between 8/21/06 and 1/22/07

Well put!

As for SKW, it wouldn't take you that long to get ATL. You'll probably get it before you finish IOE. Currently the ATL domicile has 18 FO's and 16 lines; but SKW actually has 48 lines of flying (and increasing) out of ATL. They’re having a hard time staffing ATL, for no other reason than SKW is a west coast airline. 99% of the pilots are west coasters themselves so as more people choose to go ATL then they’ll slowly bring the lines up to speed. Don’t listen to any BS about our ATL domicile being temporary, that’s just BS. Mark my words; by next year we’ll have over 200+ crew members there and a chief pilot (currently we have an assistant chief). If ATL is temporary then why would SKW be spending all that money on our new crew lounge. I was touring our new lounge two days ago, which should open up in the next 2 weeks, it’s large and EXTREMELY nice.

Until more crew members choose to be based in ATL then the outstanding ATL flying will be flown by SLC crews.

BTW, I am ATL based and am one of the most senior FO's there. I should be upgrading soon and I'll be able to hold ATL CA.

Well, if they are spending ALL THAT MONEY in a crew lounge, then it must become the next worldwide headquarter for SKW:D

Just kidding, JetJock:). I just thought it was funny that you are basing your predictions on the size of the crew lounge. I'm sure you'll agree that the costs associated with setting up and furnishing a crew lounge are trivial when compared to other airline operating expenses/expenses when setting up a new base.
Either way, I hope it grows to be a large base. I heard rumors about SKW applying for international service out of ATL to several caribbean locations... have you heard that too?

Any chance of SKW lowering their mins below 1000 tt? I think there's a checkbox on their online app that asks if you meet the 1000 min. If not, it classifies your app as "Not qualified" :(

They just did it - if you have some jet time. There may be some stipulation on the type such as 121 CRJ or ERJ time.

I'm not basing it all upon the crew lounge, there are many other reasons but I will not discuss them in an attempt to not Pi$$ off any ASA pilots.

Remember the truth hurts.

Good Day!

Is ASA hiring alot right now? Im currently with another dci carrier but im trying to get closer to home for an easier commute. I would be giving up about 6 months at my current carrier. What are the reserve times? Whats Trip production like? Right now we are doing 15 hour 4 days uncommutable getting 12 days off a month. Just wondering if life might be a little better with an easy commute able to get me to ATL by 9:30am every morning and the last flight home at 9:30pm. Any thoughts? Thanks guys

Despite what these fine young lads at SkWest are telling you, in the long run, they are very much the same airlines. Upgrade time? I've seen Street Captains at ASA. Schedules? We don't have PBS (preferential bidding system) which can (not always) burn you. Moral? it's always the darkest before the storm (contract). I've seen ASA as THE place to be, and I've seen us beging 300 hour wonders. it comes in cycles.

So is working at Skywest better? probably. but not by that much. Their greatest advantage is having a ton of bases to choose from. If ATL is your favorite (and I think you're smokin crack, because SLC is gorgeous) then ASA is the better choice. Remember bases come and bases go. Jerry has already screwed the ASA pilots twice in less than 18 months on the base thing. If we sign a contract that is acceptable to JA, you could very well see them close the ATL base for Skywest. After all, his reason for closing our operation in SLC was "It doesn't make since to have two carriers in the same city" That's a quote from his lips to my ears.

Think long term, like Mohamid is going to smack another plane tomorrow. Where do you want to get stuck at? Remember, it is a very cyclical business.

IMHO,
Stick

BTW guys, what is the best way to get prepped for the sim ride during the interview with ASA???? I know too many people that didnt make it past that part...

Regarding SkyWest, who makes up the majority of their newhires? Does a 1000/100 CFI have much of a chance?? Or are they mostly bringing in Mesa/ASA/AE/Part 135 guys??

It's 50/50 but if you're a 1000/100 CFI then send in your resume and come aboard. I recommend going to one of the recruiting events, that’ll be the quickest way to get an interview. Once there they will talk with you and schedule your interview in SLC.

Good Luck!