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-   -   Questions for Skywest Pilots (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/regional/4766-questions-skywest-pilots.html)

dontsurf 07-06-2006 06:22 AM

Questions for Skywest Pilots
 
I'd appreciate some info on Skywest work rules and a couple other things, if someone who works there could oblige me. Thanks.

1. "Block or better" or just "block" pay?

2. Cancellation guarantee of some type (i.e. percentage of line guarantee, etc.)

3. What is the average line built to? Some contracts have a minimum average line, like 85 hours or something.

4. How long spent on reserve?

5. Hours needed to upgrade into captain in the EMB and the CRJ? And do you get extra credit for hours flown for Skywest?

6. Do a lot of people move on from Skywest to jetblue, southwest, etc.?

7. Bonus for volunteering on days off or going over a certain number of hours?

8. Do a lot of Skywest pilots commute? Are there a large number of commutable lines?

Thank you very much.

CSLewis 07-06-2006 11:49 AM


Originally Posted by dontsurf
1. "Block or better" or just "block" pay?

Block or better

Originally Posted by dontsurf
2. Cancellation guarantee of some type (i.e. percentage of line guarantee, etc.)

If anything on your schedule gets cancelled, you still get the full pay for it.

Originally Posted by dontsurf
3. What is the average line built to? Some contracts have a minimum average line, like 85 hours or something.

Minimum guarantee for Brasilia is 80 hrs/mo. CRJ is 75 hrs/mo.

Originally Posted by dontsurf
4. How long spent on reserve?

Depends on which airplane, and more heavily on which domicile. If you don't care much where you're based, you can hold a line pretty quick out of class, especially with as many pilots going through training as there are. However, if you're dead-set on being based somewhere like San Diego or another senior base, you can be on reserve for a very long time.

Originally Posted by dontsurf
5. Hours needed to upgrade into captain in the EMB and the CRJ? And do you get extra credit for hours flown for Skywest?

Required to have at least 1000 hrs of time with the company "or equivilent" which basically means airline/crew experience.

Originally Posted by dontsurf
6. Do a lot of people move on from Skywest to jetblue, southwest, etc.?

There's been about 20-30 per month leaving for places like Southwest, JetBlue, FedEx, Frontier, Alaska, etc.

Originally Posted by dontsurf
7. Bonus for volunteering on days off or going over a certain number of hours?

You can get time-and-a-half for picking up flying on a day off. Number of hours is no factor.

Originally Posted by dontsurf
8. Do a lot of Skywest pilots commute? Are there a large number of commutable lines?

I've flown with a lot of pilots that commute. I don't know if I'd say there's a "large number" of commutable lines, but it seems like the commuters usually find something that works for them. It's like anywhere though, the more junior you are, the less trips you have to choose from, so commuting while very junior may not work out to well.

dontsurf 07-06-2006 02:29 PM

Wow, thank you very much for that quick and complete reply. I really appreciate it. If I could get just a little clarification on the items below, it would be great. Thanks again!

Originally Posted by CSLewis
Minimum guarantee for Brasilia is 80 hrs/mo. CRJ is 75 hrs/mo.

I'm sorry...I didn't ask this very well. I was trying to find out what the lines are really built to every month. I see those are the guarantees for pay, but is there an average to which the lines are built? I know one company has a monthly guarantee of 74 hours, but their contract specifies that lines have to be built to an average of 80 hours or something like that. In other words, for a given domicile and position, if there are 100 lines, some of them will be below 80 hours, and some will be above, but they have to average at least 80 hours.

A better way to ask it might be: in your experience with your lines, what amount of flying do you generally get as a line pilot per month?


Originally Posted by CSLewis
Depends on which airplane, and more heavily on which domicile. If you don't care much where you're based, you can hold a line pretty quick out of class, especially with as many pilots going through training as there are. However, if you're dead-set on being based somewhere like San Diego or another senior base, you can be on reserve for a very long time.

I can appreciate that variety. Just roughly, what would the breakdown be of Skywest's bases as far as "junior" base to "senior" base? I see that San Diego is considered a "senior" base, in roughly what order would they be ranked in that respect?


Originally Posted by CSLewis
There's been about 20-30 per month leaving for places like Southwest, JetBlue, FedEx, Frontier, Alaska, etc.

Wow, that's great. Making room for people to move up.

Oh, two other questions I forgot:

1. Is there a contract or anything for training?

2. What determines EMB or CRJ, and do they tell you that when they hire you or not until you start class?

Again, thank you very much.

hatetobreakit2u 07-06-2006 07:50 PM

do people move from the EMB to the "majors" that are hiring right now, or is it mostly CRJ guys moving on


can people go from the left seat of 120 to the left seat of the RJ?

fatmike69 07-06-2006 10:15 PM


Originally Posted by dontsurf
A better way to ask it might be: in your experience with your lines, what amount of flying do you generally get as a line pilot per month?

With the new "PBS" system of bidding, you could theoretically build your monthly line quite high, probably upwards of 100 hours for the month. I would say my average line pay has been about 94 hours monthly (12-14 days off per month, no overtime). Lately, with the shortage of pilots, the opportunity to fly overtime is very available.


Originally Posted by dontsurf
I can appreciate that variety. Just roughly, what would the breakdown be of Skywest's bases as far as "junior" base to "senior" base? I see that San Diego is considered a "senior" base, in roughly what order would they be ranked in that respect?

EMB120: Fresno most junior by far followed by PSP, SLC and DEN. SAN, PDX, and SBA seem to be the most senior right now.

CRJ: Chicago most junior. Not sure about the others but DEN and SLC seem to be somewhere in the middle. FAT, PSP, SMF are pretty senior.


Originally Posted by dontsurf
Oh, two other questions I forgot:

1. Is there a contract or anything for training?

No training contract.

Originally Posted by dontsurf
2. What determines EMB or CRJ, and do they tell you that when they hire you or not until you start class?

Generally lower time pilots go to the EMB. Although I hear all of the new hires are getting the EMB, not sure though. They tell you which aircraft you get when you get hired.

dontsurf 07-07-2006 05:36 AM

Thanks guys!
 
Thanks a lot. I appreciate the replies and information. I sent my resume/application in last night. I heard the interview is tough, but I'm excited about moving on from where I am (Trans States) to a better positioned regional. Thanks.

hatetobreakit2u 07-07-2006 08:47 AM

any help on my question?

Utah 07-07-2006 09:07 AM

I'll add a few items.

Upgrade minimums are 2500tt, 1000 multi turbine in a crew environment (it doesn't have to be at SkyWest). When seniority allows you can bid any position. We've even had a few pilots go from EMB FO to RJ CA, skipping RJ FO and EMB CA. I'd say the majority of initial upgrades now are actually in the RJ. There is a one year seatlock in most cases. We occasionally even see people downgrade from EMB CA to RJ FO, or RJ CA to EMB CA. Initial upgrade is up or out -- pass or you're out of a job. You can stay an FO as long as you want, there probaly over a 100 with 5+ years.

Most of the newhires will be going into the jet over the next several months with ORD and SLC being the most likely domiciles out of training. With previous 121 time you'd probably have an excellant chance of getting the jet as a newhire. However, there are advantages to the EMB the first year - less time on reserve, a chance to fly the aircraft you'll have the first opportunity to upgrade in, etc.

For someone wanting to work/fly alot there are usually plenty of opportunites to fly extra, especially in the larger domiciles. We have the ability to place trips, or even just parts of trips onto an electronic swap board which other pilots can pick up on thier days off. Uncoverd trips that the company doesn't have reserve coverage for can be picked up for time and a half, with some restrictions. You can also swap trips on your schedule with those in open time -- again with a few more restrictions.

100% pay for deadheads and cancellations, however reserves will only get the cancellation pay if it is for a flight they have already checked in for that day.

Current ALPA drive going on.

Management has stated we will not be discussing a pay increase until they feel like it. We have not had a positive change to our work rules in years. PBS was a paycut as well.

We are seriously short staffed right now on pilots. The flight attendant situation is even worse.

Freightpuppy 07-07-2006 11:58 AM

If you are a junior capt. in FAT, will you fly a lot or sit around on reserve?

hatetobreakit2u 07-07-2006 07:13 PM

do people move on from EMB captain to "majors" or just the crj guys?


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