It is a great company. Makes for a very difficult decision trying to decide whether or not to leave for a major where management hates the pilots and the pilots hate the company. Minus Southwest and any others that I don't know about.

This is the same feeling I had at Aloha and is the second biggest reason I'm hoping to get on with SkyWest (The number one reason is job security - go figure).

Having recently left for a major, I will never go back voluntarily. The culture at a major night and day different. SkyWest is an OK company, but not the end all be all that some believe.

Can you please explain more. What do you mean the culture is night and day? Which way is it different?

Well, you've certainly revealed your screen name to be apropos. You are indeed the Koolaidman. Talk to almost any major pilot who came from the regionals and they will tell you that they would never go back and would have left sooner if they could. As for myself, my worst day at Delta was better than my best day at either of the top tier regionals I flew for. Not to mention the fact that what is considered to be a top tier regional changes every five years or so.

so what's the big amazing difference? i'd say it comes in only one word: money. i jumpseat all the time back and forth to work, usually on united, and pretty much every single united pilot i meet is either mad, disgusted, numb, or all 3 at the same time. the only thing they like about what they do is the money. and even that isn't enough, it's just that they are making twice as much as i am.

i can't say the same for delta, because i don't jumpseat on them. maybe delta is a great place to be, and i hope everyone there is happy. but if you are, and everyone at skywest is happy, then what's the difference, except your paycheck is twice as big?

They are mad at what they have, because a lot of what they had was taken away. Even with what they have, it is better than a regional. The work rules are better, the hotels are better, the future pay is better, and the travel benefits are better.

SkyWest would be a much different place if they had to worry about paying for fuel, reservations, and customer service. I understand they have the contracts to pay them at some stations, but not system wide. They have guaranteed income from their major partner.

I was a SkyWest captain, as good as it was, a major is better.

The instructors at the training center are top-notch. J.G. is a great teacher, so are the Cades for the most part.

And as much crap as you'll hear people talk about FAT, don't pay attention to it. I've come to the conclusion that FAT-EMB is the best place to be based for new-hire pilots in the company unless you feel like sitting reserve in another domicile. It pays the same as the jet, you're going to be flying the LAX, SFO, and PDX systems (west coast flying is great), and they're one of the only bases that I've heard of that are actually adding flying (albeit not much). I'm glad I'm there.

um, i'll go with a negatron on that. travel benefits better? ok, i'll give you that one, i guess. but work rules? please. every united crew i jumpseat with complains mightily about their work rules. especially about the fact that the 18 year captain and the 12 year fo both have 12 days off that month, and they are working 6 days in a row every time, and they can't get commutable trips, etc. they hate the reserve system, they hate half the hotels they stay at (again, just from what i've been told). they do get better crew meals, though.

i don't know anything about nwa, so if you say it's so much better there, in every respect, not just pay, than at skywest, i will defer to your personal experience and opinion.

i think for the most part "moving up" to a major is something that was a huge, wonderful step in the past, and is becoming more of a tiny climb as time goes on. especially if you're at a good regional like skywest. we all know the glory days are gone.

Negatron? Isn't that J.G. slang? "Negatron dude!" or "float the toads" that's a good one!!