Heard through the grapevine that the only reason new hire classes are not happening now is because of a dispute with United regarding their furloughed pilots coming over to SkyWest. Supposedly United believes their pilots can fill all of the new hire classes. Training department is all set to go, and once the dispute is resolved classes will begin.

New hire AND upgrade classes? Anything about numbers...?

Hey Wavit, care to chime in on any of this?

To add fuel to the fire, I heard an almost exact version on the story. It wouldn't really surprise me if this were the case, but I'm not holding my breath.

I don't buy it... first of all they don't hire because they feel like it. If they needed to hire they NEED to hire. Second, we have a bunch of guys on VLA still. Third, if we did need to hire it would be for this coming summer. It's now April 6th. If we started classes, the first group wouldn't be out until mid summer... just in time to slow down for fall. I really don't think SKYW will hire anyone until Spring especially with the possibility of Airtran flying stopping. We would be back over staffed if that was the case. SLC has plenty of RJ FO RSVs...

[edit: flamebait removed]

They must be paying top dollar for fodder like that!

Actually yes. I was in the training center last weeks talking to the "guys" over there. Looks like classes will pick up in June. I didn't ask if they were upgrade, transition, or both. All i know is RJ classes and new hire EMB to replace those that transition. I was told they were just waiting on something to get resolved but I did not ask for details. This could be it. BTW it looks like those left on VLA may be a good portion of those that have moved on and wont be coming back. Thats what I was told anyways.

Wouldn't be surprised at all about that.

I wonder if they are going to pay the new hires while they are in training?

I've got a friend (20+ year guy) out on a year LOA and they haven't asked him to return early. Not due back until Oct or so.

When hiring ended new hires were getting pay (low guarantee), hotel, uniforms, and jepps provided. I would be surprised if they go backwards on that.

Has there been a decision where these "new-hires" are coming from? The pool? United? ASA?