This seems to be the most popular thread right now with SkyWest guys and I am looking for some quick info. I received an invite to interview with SkyWest and I just don't know what to do. Can someone please tell me about the reserve lifestyle? Is the upgrade time still around 5 years or so? Do you project that number to fall greatly in the near future when majors start hiring? What is the junior base (I assume it is one for the EMB). Is SkyWest in the process of getting a union? Any other information you guys can provide can help me out greatly. I would love nothing more than to get back to the west coast but I need to make sure this is a positive move in a major way. Reserve at a crappy regional is the same as reserve at less than crappy but still crappy (if that is what it is) regional.

 

Reserve here sucks. There is a lack of trasperancy even though we supposedly have some. Things are pretty busy right now so be prepared to work. FAT on the bro is the junior domicile but it seems like guys have been going to to all the domiciles out of training except for pdx. No union drive as of now. Upgrade time is anyone's guess. We have been running upgrades but not many. The bro will be the quicker upgrade and a memo from the top recently said up to 400 upgrades this year alone but it could be a dangling carrot so we accept the proposed pay package. Captains on the RJ seem to be pretty content and i dont see many of them leaving for the majors but that could always change.

Overall Skywest is a good regional. Reserve will make you contemptuous but it offers stability, on par pay, and the west coast if thats what you're looking for. Good luck.

 

It still is a good place but things have really changed in the last few years. Reserves are the scum of the earth in crew scheduling mind. And the "policy manual" is as worthless as used TP in their minds. But the Koolaid runs thick so you can use that to pay your bills and sustain your family. Plenty of the stuff in place of the decent wages or benefit that we used to have that they have taken away.

 

Is it true you guys are getting a MSP base? How junior would it go?
Thanks

 

Wouldn't count on it being too junior...I think it is a base now, but from what I remember there were plenty of commuters looking to get back home.

 

I will vote no for the pay package, yes for ALPA (I prefer ALPA over a recognized SAPA but I'll vote yes if that's the only choice I have) and yes for merging with ASA/XJT.

 

If you want to go to a union shop, the unionized side of the company is hiring as well.

 

A friend of mine helped me get the interview and he was saying that SkyWest has plans to do lots of hiring and upgrading this year. Is this true? How long can you expect to be on reserve and which bases are people getting hired into?

 

Yes, I wasn't focusing on strictly CA pay and it looks like we are industry average on CA payrates. As far as FO rates we are still above the industry average. Our workrules are still very good which include things like a 2:1 duty rig, 1:1 rig for scheduled duty days over 12 hours, block or better, 100% DH pay, 100% cancellation pay per leg, holiday pay at 4:18 for everyone regardless of who actually works it, and a profit sharing/operational performance bonus plan. Holiday pay worked out to an extra $1000 on FO pay and the bonus plan paid $1900.

My main point was that SKW isn't bringing down the industry in terms of wages earned.

As far as the language on the ASA/XJT JCBA I can't understand why you would think this hinders you. That language ensures that we don't undercut you. It minimizes the reasons for us to be played off each other by management.

 

My apologies. I was looking at FO rates which are still some of the highest in the industry. CA rates are industry average. Our workrules are still great but I'm not sure how that compares with every other regional out there.

SKW had a 3:45 min day, 2:1 duty rig, 1:1 rig over 12 hours, and profit sharing plan years before ASA. ASA has their workrules because of SKW so who helped who back in 2007? Does ASA even get SKW's generous holiday pay to everyone at the company regardless of who actually works?

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/re...sa-has-ta.html