The Future of SkyWest in San Diego
 

Because it's fun to speculate...

What is the future looking like for SkyWest in San Diego? With "Four Brasilias to come out of service early 2008, then in fall 2008 one Brasilia will retire per CRJ received" according to APC, I have been wondering:

Will SkyWest retain a certain number of the Brasalias to operate in markets like San Diego (low capacity, high frequency), or will it shift to CRJ service?

Whichever aircraft serves San Diego, what is the likelihood of it remaining a pilot domicile in the longterm?

I'm guessing $117 a barrel oil will have a factor with both of the above.

Again, I'm not posting this to find concrete answers, just looking for your ideas/theories/rumors.

Thanks
Brendan

Well I wouldn't expect the Bro retirements to happen as quickly as has been publicized...Don't know much about SAN service, so I'll refrain from speculating there, but being that SkyWest has solid footing there, I'd expect service to continue...Don't hold your breathe for a domicile there...If anything, I believe they are looking to consolidate.

I agree about the consolidation. It seems to me that they are shrinking all the EMB bases but FAT and SLC. I think they probably just want FAT to be some sort of EMB superbase, and eventually get rid of all the others. There are something like 84 captains in FAT now, that's crazy! All the while transfers from places like SMF and whatnot are going unreplaced. SMF is down to only 1 line on the EMB, which is unforutnate.

Also, I'd say the EMB will be around for quite some time, just judging by the sheer number of EMB upgrade and new-hire classes running at the moment.

SLC has taken a hit, they lost CPR and COD. I belive there lines are down 30% from this time last year. If you close the base down but still have flights coming in there by a $$$ factor for hotels. The problem with the EMB upgrade is all the old guys. For whatever reason, they can't or wont go to the RJ. They'll be chassing that airplane all over.

Isn't Skywest going into Gillette, WY soon? Saw in the GCC paper that they were going to have 2 flights per day to SLC. Just curious.

I've heard the same thing. I think Rock springs as well. I belive June 1 it will start.

Bren, we already spoke of this, but I agree with the other guys. I assume SKW owns the Bro's, and they are money makers, so it would seem to be a no brainer to keep them around for a while, especially with the current oil. Unless they become maintenance hogs, they are more fuel efficient than a CRJ any day. I saw a bunch at SLC during the interview. Wonder if it's a maintenance base for them. I think we are one of the last Co's to fly them. Seen them flying cargo and corporate.

It doesn't matter if they are money-makers or not...SKW is a subcontractor, and UAL wants all the bros gone. The deal is done; they will be replaced by 70 seaters unless UAL changes their mind for some reason.

This means that all the Cali bases are up in the air...obviously there will be at least one or two, but it might be LAX and SFO. SMF and PSP are other possibilities, but SAN is less likely to remain as a base.

Selecting a regional based on a desire for a specific long-term domicile is foolish in most cases...things happen to fast in this industry. But SKW is still a good choice for west-coast types...there will most likely always be bases SOMEWHERE in the west.

The bros might longer on in the DAL system for a while, but without the UAL fleet the training and Mx overhead will be pretty steep for the handful in SLC.

I understand and completely agree. However, being able to live in San Diego (which I have heard is a junior base for FOs at SkyWest) means free rent. Make fun if you want, but after 4 years in West Lafayette, moving back in with the parentals is worth it to be back in sunny San Diego!

Goodbye PDX. *sigh*