Yea on the Jet you may not be to understaffed but the Bro is a different story! Then again it looks like we maybe will have 1 or maybe 2 reserve folks in FAT for December for once. A few Bros leaving will help but still, understaffed!!!!

 

An increase in flying, attrition, FMLA and Mil leave will easily call for 300 FO's.

The schedule also calls for 210 upgrades, I see this number increasing.

 

During peak season, nation wide, we are averaging less than 12 reserves on the jet (off peak is a different story). Yes, we get these PBS reports that say we're running 16% reserves but what you don't see is all the soft lines that are created to cover the leftovers. Sit down and look at our open time, divide it by 80-85 hours and you’ll see an estimation of how many reserve lines they’ll build. Yes, they usually wait to see if someone picks the trip up but by the end of the month it’s all covered.

 

I flew the EMB for almost a year, when I transitioned I was bidding #4 in FAT. I honestly think the company feels Bro pilots should be abused. They think you actually like having a 12 hour duty day that has 8 legs in LAX and only pays 5:30. I guess I forgot to mention the 5 a/c swaps on 15 minute turns with a 3+ hour sit before your final leg to your overnight.

Haaaaaaaaaaaa, the good old days.

That's why I always bid for PDX trips, not only is OR absolutely gorgeous but they give you 30-45 minute turns and you rarely swap. It’s not hot and the rampers, gate agents & Mx personally are fantastic.

BTW, if you ever get a Spokane WA overnight, go to the Steam Plant and have their Vanilla Bourbon Stout (Cour De Alene Brewing Company). One of the best Micro's I've ever had! Plus the renovated Steam Plant is a must see. The hotel will take you or you can walk, it's about a 10 minute stroll through beautiful downtown. The three of us had two beers a piece and 3 HUGE appetizers, with tip it was about $25-30 total (half price happy hour). But beware, happy hour ends at 6 pm and their meals are expensive after wards.

 

AMEN! I will also check out Steam Plant the next time I am up in the good ole Pacific Nothwest! Thanks!

 

Check them out, I promise you'll love their brews and appetizers.

Ps. Sorry I only posted part of my previous posting and you quoted it before I realized I need to complete my final paragraph.

 

Not anymore... We've been getting those nasty 8 leg, quick turn, 12 hour days lately. I did 15 hours the other day. bleh. Nice thing is most captains here have no problem telling ops that were taking a real 45 min lunch break. haha.

 

yikes emb guys. maybe you should ask for a raise

 

Will never happen! Without any real pilot unity the EMB guys will always get sold down the river. Our pay policy was voted in by the RJ guys so that they could get their lousy 1% plus their "BS" BHO, NO QOL & NO real COLA!

BTW the only unity we have here at SKW is during a union or pay policy vote, 65% vote no (union) or yes (pay) and then go about their marry way. It’s nice to see fellow pilots sell out their T-prop brethren for a slightly better than industry average pay policy. The company knew that our RJ guys out numbered our Bro boys by nearly 6:1 and that they’d jump at almost any pay increase. Unfortunately that was good business by Mgmnt and SH**TY unity by the pilot group.

This pilot group has no balls!

 

I am happy at SkyWest but I agree 100% with the above statement. The Jet guys were spineless in voting that in. I was in the Jet when that was going through and voted NO! Freekin jet clowns are ridiculous