There are a lot of new captains at SkyWest, and I am sure that they were not trying to screw you over. Don't blame the crew, blame Bombardier.

 

Why would this be a sign of arrogance, disrespect, or anything else for that matter? I do not always acknowledge every crewmember I walk by in the terminal either, so what? Think you're reading too much into this one. Alot of the time I'm probably just too engrossed in my own thoughts or just thinking about food or something that I don't notice. I highly doubt most co-workers in any job always nod to each other when they walk by.

 

My friend, that can only be from our favorite, Family Guy!!!

 

I have that sticker on my flight case

 

#1 We dont fly anything close to 100 seats..... and we've been getting the "BHO" for 700/900 for some time.
#2 We in no way undercut Skyway, their labor rates in every position of every year is less than SkyWest, fuel costs made flying DoJets ineffecient.
#3 I have never bumped a jumpseater for weight, quite an accomplishment IMO flying the 200 out of ORD. We found a way each time.
#4 We did not get Air Whiskey flying because we were the cheapest, otherwise Mesa or GoJets would've gotten it. We got it because we provide a quality product, at a good price. Yes perhaps we have cheaper labor than Air Whiskey, but I believe a lot more went into it. Do you have the same problem with CHQ getting Xjet, or Xjet getting ASA, contracts change hands. It's unfortunate, I wish I could prevent it, but right now that's the game that's played. I'm so tired of everyone acting like SkyWest undercuts everyone. If contracts went to lowest bidder everytime, SkyWest would not win any flying, because we are not the cheapest.

 

As far as the original thread, IF, and I say IF, anyone "envies" SkyWest, I would suspect the main two reasons would be, the quick upgrades we've had to the jet in recent years. For example, an 8 year pilot at SkyWest in ORD would hold a top 20% line in the left seat, where as a 8 year pilot at Eagle in ORD may or may not be able to hold the left seat.
And, having been at TSA, I can say for me, I would've liked to have had a good relationship between pilot group and management, which is something SkyWest seems to have.
All that being said, I'm not sure I see a lot of envy out there.

 

I don't always acknowledge every crewmember. With that said, I do acknowledge anyone that looks me directly in my eyes and nods. It is a simple non-verbal sign of respect and courtesy. It doesn't matter if you're flying for a Mesa, Skywest, UPS or United. The fact that you wear the uniform and "do the job" is enough for me. I guess it's the "southern gentlemen" in me that is tucked somewhere deep beneath my brash, ex-navy exterior.

For the record, there is little doubt the individual in question had a self inflated ego.

With all of this said, if I had to look at the regionals again, I would certainly take a good look at Skywest because of their schedules and bases. Why? Because I live out west. Skywest consistently produces an excellent product. They should be proud of their accomplishments. They are a well run outfit - no doubt. I respect them but envy? I don't think so.

I'll take my schedule over any regional airline schedule. I'm flying nights this bid. I have seventeen days off with two, four-day weekend layovers. I'm flying twenty hours of block for the bid with only twenty total legs and we STILL made 3.5 Billion Net last year. Go figure!

With that said, we don't have any pretty FA's serving coffee either...I guess everything is a trade off.

 

I was just wondering about your lack of punctuation and random use of capitalization.

 

Geee, thanks dad... If we're real good for the whole rest of the week can we go fishing this weekend

If any body really "envies" another airline how bout you get your butt over there. Or wait to go their in the first place. It's funny that guys will wait YEARS, kiss every butt in sight and jump through any hoop to get on with FedEx, UPS, or Southwest but when it comes time to get hired at a regional a lot of folks just take the first thing that comes with total disregard for anything like earning potential or QOL. Why is that? I think it has to do with education and wisdom. How bout we help impart that education and wisdom on the younger generations of pilots instead of "envying" others or beating others down?

NEWSFLASH boys and girls: as more domestic flying shifts to larger "regional" aircraft your stay at a regional is only going to get longer. Yeah, some guys and girls get out and on with their "career" airline in short order, but far far more get in to the regional world and can't get out, whether by their own choice or not. So you better make sure that decision you made as a kool-aid-drinkin, SJS-suffering CFI was a good one.

Used to be you'd go from a regional like TSA, Mesa or Express I (the old Pinnacle) flying a Jetstream or B1900 or an RJ (if you were lucky) straight to a legacy/major carrier. Now, as the regionals grow, minimums drop and more people make lateral moves, it seems like there is a third step shoved in there; the "good" regional. I guess what I'm trying to say is go to the "right" place for you first rather than "envying" other pilot groups. Skip the bottom feeders. Your earning potential will be higher (only have to suffer first year pay once), your quality of life will be better and maybe, just maybe, those places will be forced to "migrate UP to market". I know these are just ramblings and pipe dreams but I had to vent.

 

The grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but when you leap over, you land in a bid pile of dog pooh.