duvie

SkyWest's proposed new pay package:

CRJ CA
Pay increased 1.5% and the block hour overrides on the 700/900 increase to 6% and 8% respectively

CRJ FO
Pay increased 1%
Top-out now moved from 7 to 8 Years

Brasilia CA
Pay increased 1.5%

Brasilia FO
Pay increased 5%
Top-out now moved from 7 to 8 Years

ALL PILOTS*
Per diem increases to $1.70/hr on Jan 1, 2011
Additional 1% increase on Jan 1, 2012 & Per diem increased to $1.75/hr
Additional 1% increase on Jan 1, 2013


*First Officer Year 2 pay scale will NOT be increased (frozen)
in 2010/2011. First Officer Year 1 pay scale is currently set at
$22.00/hr. SAPA and the Company have agreed to review
First Officer Year 1 pay scales on a yearly basis
days.

Other benefits:
- 19 days a month for reserves now (down from 20) which increases min daily pay to 3.95 hours of pay
-SAPA/SIA (Pilots/Flight Attendants) split of current Crewmember Policy Manual scheduled for Jan 1, 2011 completion.
- PBS option to bid down to 58.6 hours/month (lowest credit value to be considered full-time).
- PBS option to request 11 hours between pairings in domicile (PBS default is 9 hours between pairings)
PBS option to put in a preference for composite lines (comparable to the Flight Attendant option already in place)
- PBS default to limit the assigning of two duty periods in one calendar day (a pilot can waive this restriction)

duvie

That's not a summation, its literally all they're offering. No fine print, no retirement increases, no current reserve rewrites and the policy manual (the closest thing we have to a contract) is still dynamic.

I'm a proud SkyWester, but this is embarrassing. Most of our pay negotiations in the past have small, but definite improvements (for some, usually the more senior guys). According to the charts that were attached with the proposal this puts us just barely above the industry average, above, but not appreciably. Couple that with a dynamic crew member policy manual, I believe approving this proposal would be a step backwards. I personally would rather not take any raise and show the company that we have a backbone.

I hope current SkyWesters understand that if we approve this, we will not be the resented employer of choice, but just another "good" regional.

newarkblows

Do you get a vote on this? I was under the impression it was a take it or leave it kind of thing.

pilotrob23

wondering what skywest will do when the scope changes at ua/co merger. How many 50 seaters u guys have too. Like republic, could have been the dumbest or smartest idea to buy everyone up. Good luck guys either way

bender

Apparently FOs at SkyWest are valued even less on the 700/900 than CAs.

BoilerUP

...its almost like they want a union...

stoki

When was the last raise?

Would this proposal even be a "raise" at all after looking at inflation, and the general price increases over the past few years?

BoilerUP

CPI is up 1.2% in the last 12 months...so this proposal is fairly constant with actual inflation.

duvie

It would simplify things. One headquarters instead of three (soon two), one training department, etc. Also only having to give raises every 8 years to your whole pilot group (5 plus a negotiating period) instead of piecemeal increases every 2 years for one and the aforementioned negotiations to the other. Although on second thought I doubt management put much time into these negotiations at all.

Management: we'll give you 1% and you'll like it.
SAPA: how about 1.5% for the captains since we're negotiating this thing?
Management: Okay, but lets drag it out a few weeks to make it look like we all tried our best.
SAPA: Thanks. Oh, and how about a little higher BHO for us?
Management: all the way around? No way.
SAPA: Fine, just for the captains, the FO's will vote yes if you dangle the upgrade carrot.
Management: Done. See ya next union drive. We'll give 3% if you vote it down.

7 year jet upgrades and 1% raises every January 1st....welcome to the new Eagle

JDFlyer

First let me say, I completely respect the opinions above who don't like the pay proposal.

However, I think I am going to vote in favor of taking it.

1) The economy is in meltdown, thousands of pilots on furlough and we (Skywest) are hiring and getting offered a pay raise that is in line with the CPI.

2) While the majority of Skywest pilots (EMB FO's not withstanding) may not be the highest paid pilot group, we are near the top - and MOST IMPORTANTLY - we don't have to pay ALPO 3% or whatever it is to support their legacy airline pilot labor organization in negotiating our regional pilot pay.

3) Management has no contract with us, but also, we have no contract with management. If for some reason the economy completely turns around and Skywest starts printing money, we the pilots can absolutely go ask for more money. We may not get it, but at least management cannot say "we have a contract" how dare you ask, we will talk in another 5 years.

4) Because we are a competitively priced sub-contract carrier, we have grown amazingly well over the last 10 years. We are acquiring other airlines, ASA and XJET to be specific - and who knows who else in the near future. (Mesa? Comair?) Other airlines are NOT acquiring us because of our business model or cost structure.

My two cents. Flame away.