What's wrong with someone looking for a quick upgrade?

 

Because what you expect to happen in this industry, the opposite will happen.

 

There isn't anything wrong with wanting a quick upgrade, I think most people would just warn anybody against expecting it. We all make the most informed decisions we can, but this business is so unpredictable that many people are left thinking "this isn't what I signed up for!!!"

As long as you honestly acknowledge to yourself that no matter how well-informed your decision was, you could be left as a 6 year FO at a shrinking company or a reserve CA indefinitely, that way you'll roll with the punches better.

There is a huge sense of entitlement amongst regional guys, many of it fed by the flight schools, from ATP to ERAU (because your excitement is how they make their money) and also from the recruiters and interviewers that tell you how great the company's prospects are. All of us should know by now that nothing is guaranteed.

 

Why? Because "most" people chasing the quick upgrade don't care about pay, benefits, work rules, etc. and it hurts the rest of the pilot group and industry!

 

Ok, guys current SKW guys, what's the deal with benefits?

My wife just came down with pneumonia, and she's getting treated, but I start class on Monday. We live in NYC so coming home is not too easy from SLC.

But when are medical benefits active?
Also, does the employee have immediate non-rev benefits, are you put in CASS off the bat or wait until after training? I'm curious because I may have to come back on the weekend, and if she needs to see the doctor, what benefits do we have as a new hire.

Thx guys.

 

You have no benefits for 90 days. I believe you are in CASS after you get your ID badge and if I remember that takes about a week. If you need to go home I'd talk to your instuctor. Honestly, you should've done your homework prior to coming to training. I have a daughter and picked up medical for $275 a month from United Healthcare for those 90 days. And if you plan on commuting from the east coast to Skywest, your wife needs to plan on being more independent than what she is now because you will be gone alot. You needed to find a support network for her before you interviewed. A week prior to training isn't the time figure out what you need to start this job.

 

Thndr,
Thanks for the info.

1st, I just took her to the ER yesterday, this happened in the middle of a trip. She other than this, she is a healthy 25 year old, so the time lapse in benefits was not our 1st concern previously.

As to going home, I had no previous conception that I'd be trying to come home to see her in the 1st week or 2 because I planned to be gone for the entire GS and Sim, with maybe a break between GS and Sim to come home for a couple days.

Third, she is entirely aware of what me being gone is like. We met as a Pilot and FA 3 years ago, and while she's not an FA anymore, I still fly, so we're aware of the lifestyle.

Bottom line, pneumonia in both lungs is serious, so I'm worried about her, she's being treated and should be ok, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to be there during a tough time. If I were staying at my current position, I'd take FMLA in a heartbeat, it's just hard to do that your 1st week of class.

Again, thank you for the info, but the dose of condescending "you should know/do homework/she needs to be" was far more than necessary to answer the question.

 

Sorry to hear about your situation dude. We had a guy in my recent class who used FMLA because his wife was having a baby. Granted it was after groundschool and before the sim, but SKW did grant him FMLA. They will work with you but i would try and finish the groundschool before thinking about taking FMLA if your situation allows. Or better yet call SKW and see if you can take the next class, which hopefully by then your situation will have improved and you will be fully ready for the groundschool. Just my two cents and hope your wife improves.