Big Sky?
 

Anybody with big sky here, or know anybody that is. Just trying to get some info about them.

Small outfit and slow up-grade times. Most of the guys there are lifers, but overall good company everyone seems happy.

Also seeking Big Sky information
 

I am looking for information about Big Sky also. I have an interview with them this month. The email that I got from the chief pilot said that upgrade times have been as low as 5 months recently. I also have an opportunity with Mesa, but I have have not heard any negative things about Big Sky, unlike Mesa.

Don't know much about Big Sky other than what we publish. I did want to add a welcome to the forum and ask about your username. Are you part of the TSTC/Baylor flight program?

Welcome!

I was from 00-03 but then changed my major. Wasnt a big fan of the program.

Yea I also have an interview with them coming up the first week of august. I bet we both got the same email from the chief pilot.

I don't know anything about Big Sky, but flying out of Bozeman, Montana would just be cool. I was up there for a couple months and loved the area. I know this has nothing to do with flying, but great place to fly out of.

Big Sky is owned by MAIR Holdings which is Mesaba's parent company. Big Sky was used by MAIR to try and leverage against Mesaba pilots during their '03/'04 contract neg. It ended up backfiring in MAIRs face as the Mesaba pilots signed a scope clause that says Big Sky can't fly planes bigger than 19 seats. Thats a condensed version.

With that said, I don't know much about pilot group but I image it would be a tight group being Big Sky is small. Seems like they do EAS stuff out west and if you're from that area or want to live out there...this might be your cup of tea.

Good luck with your interviews.

5 months? The CP told you this? Now Im not employed by big sky, but 2 of my best friends are, one of them youll spend a lot of time with for the first few weeks if you get hired They have both been there for over a year, and they are not close to upgrade. So be careful about that kind of stuff. How ever, I would look for some possible expansion in the next few months, possibly extremly far away from Billings.

Word that I have from a friend there is that they are about to look for street captains. How much flight time do your friends have?

Big Sky just was awarded a contract to fly the 1900's for Chalks Ocean Airways. Word is that they are also trying to get awarded flying for another airline codeshare. They are limited to 19 seat aircraft though due to the connection to MAIR.

This could change if either Big Sky is integrated into the Mesaba seniority system, or if Big Sky is sold by MAIR. There is some grey area if Mesaba's pilots strike and the company (Mesaba) is liquidated and ceases to exist.

(Second hand) Word from the CP at Big Sky is that they are looking to hire 50-100 pilots in a short period of time (9-12 months)

They have plenty of flight time, more than enough to upgrade. They also are already typed in the airplane due to previous endevours. If the chalks thing works out, then they will probably upgrade, if they are willing to commute to Florida. However, they were also promised a denver base a few months ago, which never solidified due to other factors. Id just be cautious of the CP telling you that upgrades have been down to 5 months lately, because that is certainly not the case as far as Im aware. They are building a pool of those numbers, but like anything else in aviation, dont believe until your sitting in the airplane getting paid for it. Thats it.

I have two friends intervieing at Big Sky as well in August. They also mentioned the 5 month upgrade. I may apply too when I reach 600 TT. Montana is an awesome place to fly around. I wouldn't mind living in Billings or Boise.

Chris

I have a class date with Big Sky on the 21 (next Friday). There are 9 people in the class. I believe that there are 10 or so left in the pool. This class is for attrition and the next classes will be for growth. When talking to people at BigSky they seem happy except for the 19 seat max. The Fort lauderdale thing is going to be very senior as said by the man incharge. There is something big brewing for Bigsky. They only had 70 pilots or so and then by the end of next year there trying to have 50-100 more pilots. That more then doubles the pilots. i guess they are having a bunch of interviews. I am not fully sure about the upgrade but if you seniority allows and you have the time and references then you should be upgrades. Other officials said about 9 months, which works for me. Take care and let me know if anyone has any questions.

I'll be out in Montana for an interview with Big Sky on the 25th. I hear there's a lot of good flying to be done in that part of the country, and I believe it - especially with so many nonprecision approaches.

Congratulations. Be careful though, they fly older MESA planes. I have a friend who works there and he says that maintenance is a little haphazard. Last month they got in trouble because a crew forgot to turn on the bleeds and the plane was flying in the 20's and people got sick. Apparently the warning indicator wasn't hooked up by maintenance. Yikes!

Non-precision and precision approaches are all fine and dandy, WHEN the equipment is working. Also, I guess they are going to be flying down in Ft. Lauderdale. Taking over some of Chalk Airlines routes for the next 2-3 years. Starting out with 1 plane then adding a few more.

I would still be concerned. Big Sky owned by MAIR who owns Mesaba. Mesaba is losing $3 million+ a month. If Mesaba goes under, MAIR may too, which forces sell off or closure of Big Sky. Ft. Lauderdale seems a little out of the way and out of business strategy for Big Sky. Not sure why they would consider that Ft. Lauderdale move.

Just some thoughts.

m

The FLL operation is probably a cost plus type arrangement for Big Sky, so it probably guarantees them at least a bit of profit as long as Chalks carries passengers and doesn't go under (which if they are still going to operate this long after the accident says there's at least some money)

The Mesaba/MAIR/Big Sky relationship is interesting to say the least. If Mesaba throws out the pilot contract and the pilots walk (resulting in liquidation of Mesaba), there might be legal grounds for MAIR to throw out the scope clause that the Mesaba pilots have that limits fleet type at Big Sky.

I can see 3 ways that Big Sky could get bigger planes-

1) the company is sold by MAIR to a third party (thus their ops no longer fall under the scope agreement).

2) Big Sky and Mesaba pilots are integrated into one seniority list, eliminating the scope agreement. That said, Mesaba and ALPA have stated that they do not intend for this to happen (it was offered during Mesaba pilot negotiations). If it does occur, you can guarantee that ALPA will push for a Big Sky pilot bottom "staple."

3) Mesaba goes under financially and the pilots are terminated when assets are sold. If this occurs, MAIR could make an argument in court that the scope agreement no longer exists (since it was between MAIR and the Pilots of Mesaba). If Mesaba is dissolved, then potentially so is the scope agreement.

Whole thing is interesting. Just saw today that Big Sky is pulling out of Great Falls, Kalispell and Spokane. For a Montana based airline, I don't view that as a good thing. Their back yard looks like it is beginning to stink. (They must be under considerable financial strain).

In addition, they only go after EAS (Essential Air Service) contracts. i.e "Handout" contracts from the government, instead of developing business/demand. Recently, they have bid on several contracts. (5) cities in Kansas, (5) in Nebraska (1) in Colorado, (1) in N. Dakota (3) in California and Nevada (1) in Wyoming, and they LOST them all. They lost them to Skywest, Great Lakes, and Mesa. To me, this says they are not aggressive or serious about building their business.

I wouldn't expect bigger planes since they cannot even fill their current 19 seater. EAS or not.

Looking back at the past, they always seem to weather the storm, but . . . they might not be ablle to these days. Just a thought.

What's wrong with only going after EAS contracts? Seems to work for Mesa and Great Lakes which both serve those contracts with 1900s.