Attention All Skywest CRJ Poolies!!!
 

Hey Folks,

Just looking to find out how long you've been in the CRJ Pool. I was placed in it Mar 5th, and as you know the first class for us is not in sight. Any help would be great.

PS- Hopefully we can keep this one professional and "On thread". The last one was a disaster.

Thanks. BD.

Was placed in it on 1/28 called up and found out im #33 or 36(forget which one) in the pool. Was told they are waiting on new planes to get on property but who knows. And they are running a bro class every month. Im going to try to get into one of the bro classes.

I think that’s a wise choice.

If you accept the Bro class then you’ll hold a line rather quickly, if you decide to hold out for the RJ you’ll find your reserve stints exceeding 6 months if not longer. The main reason for the differences in reserve times is transitioning pilots leaving the Bro for the RJ. Once they start running RJ classes over half will be Bro FO’s transitioning, they’ll move over to the RJ in front of you on your domiciles seniority list which will continue to push you back and keep you on reserve were as those on the Bro will be moving up their lists as FO’s leave for the RJ.

Another good reason to take the Bro is if you choose to upgrade on it. You can upgrade usually around 6-12 months earlier than you can on the RJ. If you do then you'll have more confidence seeing you've already flown it.

I just looked online at the # of people trying to go from the 120 to the CRJ. If there were a new hire/ transition class in july, you would have 48 people in front of you that are flying the 120 and wanting to come over. The way I understand it is, they will and should get the class before any new-hires will come into class. My advice is call and beg for the 120. Sorry, wish I had better news.

Why are there so many people in the RJ pool? It seems common sense to me that you take whatever aircraft you can get. Were these preople forced to go to the RJ pool or could they have elected to go straight to the Bro?

I wanted to avoid bringing this up, but the jd has brought it out of me...

For some odd reason, we had a random line check last week. The line check CA is part of the SkyWest interview team. He said we are supposed to start to running RJ classes in May again.

As I find this hard to believe, he did mention that Delta and United change their minds daily on their need for regional flying. I figured they had a better idea on their future business plans than that, but apparently not.

I am sure this will turn into your normal APC flamebait to determine whether or not XJT, RAH or SKW is the best regional. Or, to figure out who sucks more, Trans States or Mesa. But that is what I heard with my own ears. Whether or not it is true remains to be seen.

Looks like checkairmen are looking for things to do lately! Over the last few weeks I have been kicked out of the jumpseat on 2 different flights home for these random line checks. Its making commuting home a nightmare out of DEN lately. Anyway....if they start up CRJ classes here in May I should be in the first one as a transition. I am up near the top of the list and my seatlock is long gone by now. Just had my recurrent sim check scheduled for the third weekend in May. So.....if they do skd a class for May, (Not holding my breath on it!) and it starts the week after my sim check will they still have me go do it?

In the pool since March 12, was told the I had about 70 in front of me at that time. Would love to make the switch to the Bro, but looks like I may just stick with the current gig for now with the way the industry is looking.

I would be careful requesting a specific plane after the interview. According to a few guys I know in the company, it is a good way to annoy the heck out of the recruitment team. Take what they give you and be happy knowing u will eventualy make substanial more $ the second year flying the CRJ than the bro. And it is one less transistion u have to do/wait for down the road.

Going through training again is a pain in the butt, but getting that seniority number is very important as well. But AirTahoe is probably right, don't ask in case they are having a bad day and you accidently p..s someone off. After you get on and finish training though, I wouldn't hesitate to ask anyone anything. Everyone here will help you anyway they can.

Yes. They will make you take the PC as long as it is before the class. I had to go to recurrent gound in my early month, 2 weeks prior to upgrading.

I'd probably ask if you could defer it to late grace...the PC scheduler probably just doesn't know that you'll be in class. They've rescheduled me when I was just too busy to do it...you have a better excuse.

I would not be too worried about doing this...

- Gauge the mood of the recruiter first.
- Ask very politely, don't insist and paint yourself into a corner.
- Try to come up with a good excuse...
Good: My wife has a good job in XXX domicile and I'd like to be based there.
Bad: Props are for second-rate losers; I want to get right into that big shiny 900 that I so obviously deserve.

Nice!!!!!!

Looks like you have nothing to hold you back now from requesting the Bro, I just received an email asking if any poolies want to start class earlier for the EMB. It says they plan on running one class per month, but also that "other opportunities" may come up sooner, whatever that means...

but Props ARE for losers.... just kidding

RockyMtnFO - are you in the Pool?

BTW, Just wanted ya'll to know that I have now seen everything!Captain and I on a trip a few weeks ago gave the Jumpseat to an observer in the last CRJ class...He was a former XJet FO. LoL :D

I agree with rickair, just be nice about it. But you wont have to worry too much now, got the email also. Seniority is everything, a plane is a plane they all fly the same. I rather hold a line and make money and get time than sit reserve for months and months.

RSV rocks if you have a well paying second job...loving life

Absolutely. Get any second-job and you'll be living large!

I do not agree. My sim and ground were both scheduled for March when I was awarded the April 7th EMB upgrade class. Naturally I didn’t want to spend time thinking about the RJ when I was about to upgrade on the Bro. Since March was my recurrent month that made Feb and Apr my grace months; all I had to do was I call and ask to be removed from doing all CRJ recurrent courses (both ground and sim) seeing I was scheduled for upgrade during April. In the end I didn't have to do any RJ recurrent courses and now I'm in upgrade.

In ANP's case he can ask to be removed from doing recurrent but only after he has been scheduled for a transition class and his class falls into one of his grace month.

Thanks guys. I have my recurrent gnd this weekend and the sim next month. I just don't want to have to so the sim on Saturday...and then start transition class on Monday. Lots of ifs.......I will wait for an award then worry about it! Lots of things will have to happen between now and then for it to even happen at all. So...until then I will enjoy bidding in the top 10% in FAT and commuting. Thanks again!

No longer in the RJ pool, got in the 6/2 bro class. Can't wait to start! Hope that was a smart move.

When did you interview Optimus?

Optimus - it was a VERY smart move - and it is fantastic news that they are still running classes into June!

Jan. 28th, thanks

Thanks Opti, I was feb 5th so I was going to freak out if you said a later date.

Good for you. I'm positive you won’t regret it. Even if they start running RJ classes shortly after your start date you'll hold a line much sooner than your counter parts that held out for the RJ class, you'll make a lot more money, you'll move up your seniority list quickly and you'll have a shot at getting some of the holidays off.

Best of luck and see you on line.

I'm still trying to decide whether or not the lateral move is best, do you think there is any problem in asking for a Bro class if I'm not sure I will be able to take it?

I have to say although im going on day 3 of basic indoc in the EMB, I have to say the culture and the atmosphere is surprising. From the instructors I have met, to the HR and even the random people I have been in contact with.

Plus a personal thanks for the help from JETJOCK, hope to sometime fly with ya in the BRO.

It just feels like a genuine feeling that the the company as a whole wants you to be there and succeed. Thus I am happy, even thou everyone thinks I am crazy to want to be based in FAT.. :D

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!!