Skywest Reserve questions
 

I don't want to stir up any debate about Skywest hiring and United furloughees...just wanted to find out a few things. I've read the back and forth about RJ vs. E120 already.

1. Is ORD one of the junior bases for the RJ?
2. Is there a long call and short call for reserve pilots?
3. How much is the health insurance per paycheck for a family?

Thank you for any info and Merry Christmas!

ORD is the junior RJ base.

Long call reserve is a 12 hour callout, and it is first call. You can be in the 6 day bucket and get called in to do an exciting South Bend or Milwaukee turn. Short call is a 2 hour callout.

Right now, I have the PPO insurance for an individual and I want to say it is almost $60/check. However, in 2012 the company is making everyone switch to consumer driven insurance plans/HSAs which will save them millions. Your premiums (and in my opinion--your coverage) also goes down. Search about it, there was a thread about it a month ago or so.

1. Yes, it is usually the junior base for initial assignment. It is definitely the junior base if you stay there and move up the list.
2. Yes, but LC is limited and often gets converted to SC which defeats the purpose. You take a guarantee reduction also.
3. Somebody else will have to answer that, but our health plan is scheduled to have lower monthly payments, but much higher deductibles and lower coverage. They also announced that they will eliminate the better health plan options. Unless that changes, you might want to plan on using your spouse's plan.

If you currently work at mesa, SKW will pay you more "soft money" in work rules and bonuses. Probably about 15-20% more credit than you are used to at mesa.

It's the most junior.

Yes. Long call is 12 hour call out on 24 hour reserve periods, and short call is a 2 hour call out on 12 hour reserve periods. There are loopholes, though, and crew support has been known to screw people here and there. Also, it seems like the long call guys get used more. If a trip comes up a few days out, it will be assigned to a long call because they're scared to use their short call guys if they don't have to.

I pay $153. It's probably going to go up a little (like $10) next year, but the future of the availability of a PPO insurance plan beyond 2012 is unclear.

The high deductable health plan cost $54 a check, $108 a month. You'll pay for everything on the first $2000 per individual, with a max annual out of pocket for the family at $6000.

Long call reserve is used first when ever possible. If a trip goes into open time 24 hours in advance, LCR will get it before it will be assigned to a short call. Don't plan on sitting out of domicile and not getting used.

Thank you for the replies.

BTW, how many hours do the junior reserve pilots average? Do they run it very short handed...high usage for the reserves??

I've been on RSV in ORD for just about 2 years. NEVER have broken guarantee. Didn't fly for 2.5 months last summer of 08. Have been ave. 35 hours a month for the last 6 mnths. I don't try to fly though, so your results may vary. Could have held a crap line for Jan but bid weekends off rsv.

Long call reserve in SLC.. avarage 100hr credit a month.. It realy vary's. Sounds like the summer is going to be busy!!