Skywest v2.0
02-26-2017, 10:52 AM
#5931
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,111
Originally Posted by TheWeatherman
I'm in the same boat is you, getting ready to apply to the Regionals. And like you, all I see is SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! SkyWest! But nobody has never really gave any specifics on what about it makes it a cut above every other regional. All I see is no bonus and double occupancy during training with SkyWest. What makes it so much better as to give up a huge bonus going to another stable regional?
02-26-2017, 10:55 AM
#5932
Newbie
Joined APC: Jan 2017
Posts: 125
Originally Posted by Flymeaway
I've been following the posts on the regional forum here for about 4 months now, and read back another 4 months or so worth of posts for local (to DEN) regionals. For once, instead of having to take whatever we could get probably at minimum wage or less, guys like me (with a pulse and an ATP) more or less have our pick of which regional to go to. I'm trying to make the most informed decision that I can.
It seems to be, if not a consensus, then at least a heavily favored view that living in base is extremely important, particularly if you have a family (and I do). I'll be living just north of CO Springs, within an hour to 1:15 or so of the parking lot at DEN, so I've decided to limit myself to regionals with domiciles in DEN.
I keep flopping back and forth between TSA and SKW. On paper, TSA looks like they have much better pay for the first 2 years at least. TSA has $30k in signing/retention bonuses and 36/39/41 hourly pay, while SKW has $7.5k in bonuses (I have a type) and 37/38/41 hourly. It's also unlikely that SKW will bump up their pay at all.
I certainly weigh QOL over pay, but at the same time, I don't want to unnecessarily throw away $22.5k either. That's not an insignificant amount of money for me.
Additionally, as it stands now, TSA would put me in my domicile right out of training, while I'd have to wait some while (looks like around 6 months after training?) at SKW to get DEN or COS and so I'd be commuting or worse, commuting to reserve for awhile. Additionally, while it's hard to tell the future, it seems more likely right now that a CA vacancy in DEN would come around at TSA well before SKW, since DEN is pretty senior at SKW.
All that said, on many threads, a lot of people have recommended SKW even with the reduced pay. Their reasoning is generally, "better QOL, work rules, etc." However, in all of the posts I've read, no one really defines exactly why they feel that way. What does SKW do differently than other airlines that makes QOL better? What specific work rules are different? It doesn't appear to be schedules helping you out. A number of folks have said that SKW skeds automatically tells you, "no," no matter what you ask for.
I really don't want to chase a check and give up QOL, but I'm really having trouble figuring out why people think SKW's QOL is better than anyone else's.
Thank you to anyone who could shed some light on it for me...particularly if you previously worked at another regional and have experience at both places.
It seems to be, if not a consensus, then at least a heavily favored view that living in base is extremely important, particularly if you have a family (and I do). I'll be living just north of CO Springs, within an hour to 1:15 or so of the parking lot at DEN, so I've decided to limit myself to regionals with domiciles in DEN.
I keep flopping back and forth between TSA and SKW. On paper, TSA looks like they have much better pay for the first 2 years at least. TSA has $30k in signing/retention bonuses and 36/39/41 hourly pay, while SKW has $7.5k in bonuses (I have a type) and 37/38/41 hourly. It's also unlikely that SKW will bump up their pay at all.
I certainly weigh QOL over pay, but at the same time, I don't want to unnecessarily throw away $22.5k either. That's not an insignificant amount of money for me.
Additionally, as it stands now, TSA would put me in my domicile right out of training, while I'd have to wait some while (looks like around 6 months after training?) at SKW to get DEN or COS and so I'd be commuting or worse, commuting to reserve for awhile. Additionally, while it's hard to tell the future, it seems more likely right now that a CA vacancy in DEN would come around at TSA well before SKW, since DEN is pretty senior at SKW.
All that said, on many threads, a lot of people have recommended SKW even with the reduced pay. Their reasoning is generally, "better QOL, work rules, etc." However, in all of the posts I've read, no one really defines exactly why they feel that way. What does SKW do differently than other airlines that makes QOL better? What specific work rules are different? It doesn't appear to be schedules helping you out. A number of folks have said that SKW skeds automatically tells you, "no," no matter what you ask for.
I really don't want to chase a check and give up QOL, but I'm really having trouble figuring out why people think SKW's QOL is better than anyone else's.
Thank you to anyone who could shed some light on it for me...particularly if you previously worked at another regional and have experience at both places.
Per the SKW website, it is only a 5 month wait for DEN on the ERJ or the CRJ, and a 4 month wait for COS on the CRJ. The stories from TSA were pilots constantly being called to work on your days off.
I figured I could commute for this period to ORD or DTW. I had a SKW pilot tell me I would have DEN before I was out of IOE. It sounds like you are close to making up your mind. Good luck!
02-26-2017, 11:17 AM
#5933
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Position: 737 right
Posts: 285
Originally Posted by Flymeaway
I've been following the posts on the regional forum here for about 4 months now, and read back another 4 months or so worth of posts for local (to DEN) regionals. For once, instead of having to take whatever we could get probably at minimum wage or less, guys like me (with a pulse and an ATP) more or less have our pick of which regional to go to. I'm trying to make the most informed decision that I can.
It seems to be, if not a consensus, then at least a heavily favored view that living in base is extremely important, particularly if you have a family (and I do). I'll be living just north of CO Springs, within an hour to 1:15 or so of the parking lot at DEN, so I've decided to limit myself to regionals with domiciles in DEN.
I keep flopping back and forth between TSA and SKW. On paper, TSA looks like they have much better pay for the first 2 years at least. TSA has $30k in signing/retention bonuses and 36/39/41 hourly pay, while SKW has $7.5k in bonuses (I have a type) and 37/38/41 hourly. It's also unlikely that SKW will bump up their pay at all.
I certainly weigh QOL over pay, but at the same time, I don't want to unnecessarily throw away $22.5k either. That's not an insignificant amount of money for me.
Additionally, as it stands now, TSA would put me in my domicile right out of training, while I'd have to wait some while (looks like around 6 months after training?) at SKW to get DEN or COS and so I'd be commuting or worse, commuting to reserve for awhile. Additionally, while it's hard to tell the future, it seems more likely right now that a CA vacancy in DEN would come around at TSA well before SKW, since DEN is pretty senior at SKW.
All that said, on many threads, a lot of people have recommended SKW even with the reduced pay. Their reasoning is generally, "better QOL, work rules, etc." However, in all of the posts I've read, no one really defines exactly why they feel that way. What does SKW do differently than other airlines that makes QOL better? What specific work rules are different? It doesn't appear to be schedules helping you out. A number of folks have said that SKW skeds automatically tells you, "no," no matter what you ask for.
I really don't want to chase a check and give up QOL, but I'm really having trouble figuring out why people think SKW's QOL is better than anyone else's.
Thank you to anyone who could shed some light on it for me...particularly if you previously worked at another regional and have experience at both places.
It seems to be, if not a consensus, then at least a heavily favored view that living in base is extremely important, particularly if you have a family (and I do). I'll be living just north of CO Springs, within an hour to 1:15 or so of the parking lot at DEN, so I've decided to limit myself to regionals with domiciles in DEN.
I keep flopping back and forth between TSA and SKW. On paper, TSA looks like they have much better pay for the first 2 years at least. TSA has $30k in signing/retention bonuses and 36/39/41 hourly pay, while SKW has $7.5k in bonuses (I have a type) and 37/38/41 hourly. It's also unlikely that SKW will bump up their pay at all.
I certainly weigh QOL over pay, but at the same time, I don't want to unnecessarily throw away $22.5k either. That's not an insignificant amount of money for me.
Additionally, as it stands now, TSA would put me in my domicile right out of training, while I'd have to wait some while (looks like around 6 months after training?) at SKW to get DEN or COS and so I'd be commuting or worse, commuting to reserve for awhile. Additionally, while it's hard to tell the future, it seems more likely right now that a CA vacancy in DEN would come around at TSA well before SKW, since DEN is pretty senior at SKW.
All that said, on many threads, a lot of people have recommended SKW even with the reduced pay. Their reasoning is generally, "better QOL, work rules, etc." However, in all of the posts I've read, no one really defines exactly why they feel that way. What does SKW do differently than other airlines that makes QOL better? What specific work rules are different? It doesn't appear to be schedules helping you out. A number of folks have said that SKW skeds automatically tells you, "no," no matter what you ask for.
I really don't want to chase a check and give up QOL, but I'm really having trouble figuring out why people think SKW's QOL is better than anyone else's.
Thank you to anyone who could shed some light on it for me...particularly if you previously worked at another regional and have experience at both places.
02-26-2017, 12:19 PM
#5934
Man in a Suitcase
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Posts: 180
Last I heard from a friend who started training at TSA about 6 months ago was that it's about 1.5 years to get based in Denver. That may have changed but there's no way it's right out of training. Also, TSA's new hire classes average about 5-10 pilots, where SkyWest is pulling in a consistent stream 60+. TSA is not a growing airline; it is struggling to keep up with attrition and most level-headed people can see past the signing bonus. Good luck though with the decision.
02-26-2017, 12:26 PM
#5935
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2015
Position: LAX ER
Posts: 1,605
10 people got Denver last month. Before that it was pretty stagnant.
(On the CRJ, btw)
(On the CRJ, btw)
02-26-2017, 01:06 PM
#5936
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2015
Position: Downward Dog
Posts: 1,877
I think TSA is the paper choice.
But then you have the history of hulas.
Which makes it a gut decision.
Good luck.
But then you have the history of hulas.
Which makes it a gut decision.
Good luck.
02-26-2017, 01:12 PM
#5937
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2016
Posts: 130
Originally Posted by Flymeaway
I've been following the posts on the regional forum here for about 4 months now, and read back another 4 months or so worth of posts for local (to DEN) regionals. For once, instead of having to take whatever we could get probably at minimum wage or less, guys like me (with a pulse and an ATP) more or less have our pick of which regional to go to. I'm trying to make the most informed decision that I can.
It seems to be, if not a consensus, then at least a heavily favored view that living in base is extremely important, particularly if you have a family (and I do). I'll be living just north of CO Springs, within an hour to 1:15 or so of the parking lot at DEN, so I've decided to limit myself to regionals with domiciles in DEN.
I keep flopping back and forth between TSA and SKW. On paper, TSA looks like they have much better pay for the first 2 years at least. TSA has $30k in signing/retention bonuses and 36/39/41 hourly pay, while SKW has $7.5k in bonuses (I have a type) and 37/38/41 hourly. It's also unlikely that SKW will bump up their pay at all.
I certainly weigh QOL over pay, but at the same time, I don't want to unnecessarily throw away $22.5k either. That's not an insignificant amount of money for me.
Additionally, as it stands now, TSA would put me in my domicile right out of training, while I'd have to wait some while (looks like around 6 months after training?) at SKW to get DEN or COS and so I'd be commuting or worse, commuting to reserve for awhile. Additionally, while it's hard to tell the future, it seems more likely right now that a CA vacancy in DEN would come around at TSA well before SKW, since DEN is pretty senior at SKW.
All that said, on many threads, a lot of people have recommended SKW even with the reduced pay. Their reasoning is generally, "better QOL, work rules, etc." However, in all of the posts I've read, no one really defines exactly why they feel that way. What does SKW do differently than other airlines that makes QOL better? What specific work rules are different? It doesn't appear to be schedules helping you out. A number of folks have said that SKW skeds automatically tells you, "no," no matter what you ask for.
I really don't want to chase a check and give up QOL, but I'm really having trouble figuring out why people think SKW's QOL is better than anyone else's.
Thank you to anyone who could shed some light on it for me...particularly if you previously worked at another regional and have experience at both places.
It seems to be, if not a consensus, then at least a heavily favored view that living in base is extremely important, particularly if you have a family (and I do). I'll be living just north of CO Springs, within an hour to 1:15 or so of the parking lot at DEN, so I've decided to limit myself to regionals with domiciles in DEN.
I keep flopping back and forth between TSA and SKW. On paper, TSA looks like they have much better pay for the first 2 years at least. TSA has $30k in signing/retention bonuses and 36/39/41 hourly pay, while SKW has $7.5k in bonuses (I have a type) and 37/38/41 hourly. It's also unlikely that SKW will bump up their pay at all.
I certainly weigh QOL over pay, but at the same time, I don't want to unnecessarily throw away $22.5k either. That's not an insignificant amount of money for me.
Additionally, as it stands now, TSA would put me in my domicile right out of training, while I'd have to wait some while (looks like around 6 months after training?) at SKW to get DEN or COS and so I'd be commuting or worse, commuting to reserve for awhile. Additionally, while it's hard to tell the future, it seems more likely right now that a CA vacancy in DEN would come around at TSA well before SKW, since DEN is pretty senior at SKW.
All that said, on many threads, a lot of people have recommended SKW even with the reduced pay. Their reasoning is generally, "better QOL, work rules, etc." However, in all of the posts I've read, no one really defines exactly why they feel that way. What does SKW do differently than other airlines that makes QOL better? What specific work rules are different? It doesn't appear to be schedules helping you out. A number of folks have said that SKW skeds automatically tells you, "no," no matter what you ask for.
I really don't want to chase a check and give up QOL, but I'm really having trouble figuring out why people think SKW's QOL is better than anyone else's.
Thank you to anyone who could shed some light on it for me...particularly if you previously worked at another regional and have experience at both places.
02-26-2017, 01:33 PM
#5938
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2016
Posts: 180
Originally Posted by Utah
I have no idea what it's like at TSA but a few questions to ask beyond hourly pay rates..
Duty guarantee
Premium Pay
Minimum daily guarantee and how it's figured
Trip rig
Hard lines or PBS
Average credit per day
Trip type or mix for the Denver domicile
How easy is it to change your schedule around (dropping/trading)
Vacation accrual/gold days
As far as SkyWest goes you can be based in COS and pick up trips in DEN or any other domicile as well. Possibly give away trips you don't want. PBS can allow for a lot of flexibility in building your schedule with some seniority. And if you get based in DEN I understand you will wind up doing Aspen flying in the 700.
Duty guarantee
Premium Pay
Minimum daily guarantee and how it's figured
Trip rig
Hard lines or PBS
Average credit per day
Trip type or mix for the Denver domicile
How easy is it to change your schedule around (dropping/trading)
Vacation accrual/gold days
As far as SkyWest goes you can be based in COS and pick up trips in DEN or any other domicile as well. Possibly give away trips you don't want. PBS can allow for a lot of flexibility in building your schedule with some seniority. And if you get based in DEN I understand you will wind up doing Aspen flying in the 700.
I believe that SKW uses PBS and TSA is in a PBS "trial period" right now.
Would you say dropping/trading would be very difficult at SKW because skeds won't authorize anything unless they come up with the idea themselves?
Daily guarantee is 4:12 for SKW and 4.25 (which I assume means 4:15) for TSA.
Trip rig at SKW is 1:4.
The rest I haven't found any information about.
Thanks again!
02-26-2017, 01:39 PM
#5939
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2009
Position: 737 right
Posts: 285
Originally Posted by Flymeaway
Okay cool, that looks like a pretty good list. Certainly a lot of things I don't know right now. Could I ask what the answers are for SKW on those things?
I believe that SKW uses PBS and TSA is in a PBS "trial period" right now.
Would you say dropping/trading would be very difficult at SKW because skeds won't authorize anything unless they come up with the idea themselves?
Daily guarantee is 4:12 for SKW and 4.25 (which I assume means 4:15) for TSA.
Trip rig at SKW is 1:4.
The rest I haven't found any information about.
Thanks again!
I believe that SKW uses PBS and TSA is in a PBS "trial period" right now.
Would you say dropping/trading would be very difficult at SKW because skeds won't authorize anything unless they come up with the idea themselves?
Daily guarantee is 4:12 for SKW and 4.25 (which I assume means 4:15) for TSA.
Trip rig at SKW is 1:4.
The rest I haven't found any information about.
Thanks again!
02-26-2017, 01:42 PM
#5940
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2016
Posts: 203
Originally Posted by Flymeaway
I've been following the posts on the regional forum here for about 4 months now, and read back another 4 months or so worth of posts for local (to DEN) regionals. For once, instead of having to take whatever we could get probably at minimum wage or less, guys like me (with a pulse and an ATP) more or less have our pick of which regional to go to. I'm trying to make the most informed decision that I can.
It seems to be, if not a consensus, then at least a heavily favored view that living in base is extremely important, particularly if you have a family (and I do). I'll be living just north of CO Springs, within an hour to 1:15 or so of the parking lot at DEN, so I've decided to limit myself to regionals with domiciles in DEN.
I keep flopping back and forth between TSA and SKW. On paper, TSA looks like they have much better pay for the first 2 years at least. TSA has $30k in signing/retention bonuses and 36/39/41 hourly pay, while SKW has $7.5k in bonuses (I have a type) and 37/38/41 hourly. It's also unlikely that SKW will bump up their pay at all.
I certainly weigh QOL over pay, but at the same time, I don't want to unnecessarily throw away $22.5k either. That's not an insignificant amount of money for me.
Additionally, as it stands now, TSA would put me in my domicile right out of training, while I'd have to wait some while (looks like around 6 months after training?) at SKW to get DEN or COS and so I'd be commuting or worse, commuting to reserve for awhile. Additionally, while it's hard to tell the future, it seems more likely right now that a CA vacancy in DEN would come around at TSA well before SKW, since DEN is pretty senior at SKW.
All that said, on many threads, a lot of people have recommended SKW even with the reduced pay. Their reasoning is generally, "better QOL, work rules, etc." However, in all of the posts I've read, no one really defines exactly why they feel that way. What does SKW do differently than other airlines that makes QOL better? What specific work rules are different? It doesn't appear to be schedules helping you out. A number of folks have said that SKW skeds automatically tells you, "no," no matter what you ask for.
I really don't want to chase a check and give up QOL, but I'm really having trouble figuring out why people think SKW's QOL is better than anyone else's.
Thank you to anyone who could shed some light on it for me...particularly if you previously worked at another regional and have experience at both places.
It seems to be, if not a consensus, then at least a heavily favored view that living in base is extremely important, particularly if you have a family (and I do). I'll be living just north of CO Springs, within an hour to 1:15 or so of the parking lot at DEN, so I've decided to limit myself to regionals with domiciles in DEN.
I keep flopping back and forth between TSA and SKW. On paper, TSA looks like they have much better pay for the first 2 years at least. TSA has $30k in signing/retention bonuses and 36/39/41 hourly pay, while SKW has $7.5k in bonuses (I have a type) and 37/38/41 hourly. It's also unlikely that SKW will bump up their pay at all.
I certainly weigh QOL over pay, but at the same time, I don't want to unnecessarily throw away $22.5k either. That's not an insignificant amount of money for me.
Additionally, as it stands now, TSA would put me in my domicile right out of training, while I'd have to wait some while (looks like around 6 months after training?) at SKW to get DEN or COS and so I'd be commuting or worse, commuting to reserve for awhile. Additionally, while it's hard to tell the future, it seems more likely right now that a CA vacancy in DEN would come around at TSA well before SKW, since DEN is pretty senior at SKW.
All that said, on many threads, a lot of people have recommended SKW even with the reduced pay. Their reasoning is generally, "better QOL, work rules, etc." However, in all of the posts I've read, no one really defines exactly why they feel that way. What does SKW do differently than other airlines that makes QOL better? What specific work rules are different? It doesn't appear to be schedules helping you out. A number of folks have said that SKW skeds automatically tells you, "no," no matter what you ask for.
I really don't want to chase a check and give up QOL, but I'm really having trouble figuring out why people think SKW's QOL is better than anyone else's.
Thank you to anyone who could shed some light on it for me...particularly if you previously worked at another regional and have experience at both places.
People bring up that they would rather be stuck at SkyWest rather than anywhere else because the bottom line, it's too big to fail. Contracts with 4 majors and growth still occurring speaks volume. This hiring boom will not last forever. The Dow Jones is above 20,000 and it's been +8 years since the last recession. This industry is cyclical and so is the global economy. Oil is already on the rise again.
Upgrades are below 2 years and falling. 175s are still being delivers and CRJ contracts are being renewed. MX is excellent as well, even with older 200s. I've flown a total of 3 planes that had an MEL this last year.
It's a darn good product. There is a reason why we have contracts with 4 majors. They also like to hire are pilots. We have people move on to every major, cargo or LCC airline you can name.
We do have some pretty good benefits as well. 401(k) matching is 3% your first year and you will eventually get quarterly performance bonuses as well as performance rewards. We have stock purchase options that give you 5% off share price. Depending on base and aircraft, you could have flight benefits of AA, DL and UA. AS benefits are not so common but at minimum, you can go on SkyWest operated flight, no matter what the side of the plane says.
The training is great and the people you work with are fantastic as well. By no means am I saying we are the best regional, I just can't name one that I would rather be at.
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