You will make more as a first year SkyWest pilot than a second TSA pilot. Also, our second year pay is higher than the maximum FO pay at TSA. If you can drive to the airport, it is worth its weight in gold. I did it and knowing that I could be a CA in St. Louis (where I live) now, I still couldn't be happier. I have also heard of people who live in base making $50k plus at SkyWest as second year fo's.

 

2nd year pay isn't better than maxed at tsa if he gets the bro, which is what i think he wants.

I say it's a bad move, especially now. You're on a seniority list. I'd say stay there until things calm down.

Plus, do you really want to be hired at the end of a 1000 pilot hiring bubble? (not sure of the actual number of pilots hired in the last 1 to 1.5 years but i'm sure it's quite a few)

My .02 good luck buddy

 

He will because he could upgrade on the Bro in year 2 and if he transitions he'll make more than the max FO rate at TSA. BTW most of our Bro pilots make $35K+ second year. Can you do that at TSA?

As far as the original poster, if SKW has the domiciles you want and you're not chasing an early upgrade to get to the majors then I'd make the move. SKW is a good top tier regional and we'll be a major player for decades to come.

 

I bailed on TSA but I didn't have the seniority of the OP. I'm at Shuttle and so far the difference is night and day. I'd hate to guess how many captains at TSA said "Get out as soon as you can" and I've yet to hear anything other than "You'll like it here, welcome, etc" at Shuttle. The corporate culture is night and day.

My biggest problem with TSA was that they didn't plan past yesterday. They say 50 seaters are dead and 70 seats are where the growth is. If Trans States HOLDINGS is awarded 70 seat flying, guess where it goes. Republic seems to be thinking much more about the future. I like the fact that they're growing, and will continue to grow for a while. TSA has been picking up a flight or two here or there but the vast majority of the movement is for attrition. When the hiring at the majors stop, the upgrades are going to stop. Pay and work rules are better at RAH and I wanted somewhere that I could afford to live on 2nd year pay.

I didn't have near the seniority you have. I was barely holding a line. Just finished IOE here and one trip on reserve on top of the two trips that are already scheduled and I'll break guarantee. Once holding a line I will probably have more days off than I had at TSA and I'm commuting.

You will likely be able to upgrade within 6 months and are probably holding a good line at TSA. If our positions were reversed I would stay put. I had nothing to lose when I left.

 

Comair thought the same thing after they got their good contract. This industry can change so fast, and over night. SW is doing really really well right now, but 6 months from now that can change.

Truth is, you don't want to be at ANY regional, but wherever you're going to be happier for the long run is your best bet. But right NOW to hop seniority lists is risky, that's the biggest point i'm trying to make. Make sure it's what you really want.

 

Comair is owned by DAL, SKW is not and SKW is among the industry’s best in Debt to Assist Ratio as well as in many other very important financial categories. They have solid long term contracts that can be broke but won't for many reasons that I won't go into and due to our Mgmnt’s foresight and proactive ways we are well positioned to be more than competitive when it comes to bidding for new contracts or maintaining our current ones. All that while maintaining our pay and work rules/QOL near the tops in the industry. Is our pay GREAT? No, but when you rely on code shares that pay small margins there’s only so much. Yes SKW is making money hand over fist and in one way or another it either finds its way back into our pockets or makes its way into our QOL. SKW is constantly working to improve their employee’s lives and they go above and beyond our agreements (not contracts). The sad part is that SKW honors our agreements and has done so for over 35 years, more than union carrier’s honor there’s.

I mean no offense; remember that I’m Pro-Union so let’s not start that debate.

Yes, this industry is cyclical and things can change in the blink of an eye, but SKW has been a good place to work for the last 35 years and it will continue to be for some time. Kool-Aid? Sure, why not. I'm not saying that working for SKW is better than a legacy (I will leave for the ones I want at a drop of a dime) but as far as regional’s go you can't get any better, and if I was going to spend my time building time at a regional then SKW is the only place I want to be. Just my opinion as well as the opinion of most everyone here and that says something (don’t flame that comment, be civil). I'm not saying that SKW is the best, they are the only regional I've worked for so I have no experience to judge and I also don't play those kinds of immature, childish high school games.
I completely agree.

Good Day.

 

I wish I woulda gone to Skywest at my 1 year mark at my current carrier. But I didn't and now I am about 50/50 on if I made the right choice. Giving up seniority is a big deal. I stayed put and hold decent seniority now at a decent carrier. Might not be a bad place to be for the moment.

While I think Skywest is a good employer from everything I have heard, giving up significant seniority is something to be very cautious about. If you are a relative newhire at your current carrier go ahead and apply. The worst that happens is you interview and decline a job offer.

 

I was "scared" into leaving when TSA had that genius furlough back in 2006. I flew corporate for a month, hated it and had a CA from TSA get me in contact with a friend of his at SkyWest. I was lucky and the decision was more or less made for me. It certainly is a tough decision, but if I get stuck here for X more years I certainly won't be upset about it. I do believe our management will find something to continue to grow. I don't think you will too many people that left TSA/Mesa/Pinnacle and have found that they regret it.

 

i made more first year here at skywest than i did 2nd year at trans states. mainly due to better work rules. oh, and did i mention it was a much nicer year too? much happier.

 

I did it about 3 mnths ago and couldn't be happier. Coming from Eagle where things could end in the very near future. Set me back on the SR. list about 7 mnths but I'm so glad I did it. It's like night and day here.