Reasons to go to Skywest
02-08-2007 | 09:36 PM
#1
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Reasons to go to Skywest
You know without a doubt that at the interview someone will say "Why Skywest?" Without fail it will be there. So what are the answers for those of you that are already working there? I know what i said and why I like Skywest but what about the rest.
02-08-2007 | 09:43 PM
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I plan to apply with them in the next few months...my reasoning:
1. Im from the west coast, and would like to be closer to the west coast than the east coast.
2. Everyone i've spoken to who works there says how much they enjoy it, including my cousin who has been with Skywest for 6 years now
3. They seem to have a good business plan, strong stability (as much ya can in the regional world =), and are moving in the right direction
1. Im from the west coast, and would like to be closer to the west coast than the east coast.
2. Everyone i've spoken to who works there says how much they enjoy it, including my cousin who has been with Skywest for 6 years now
3. They seem to have a good business plan, strong stability (as much ya can in the regional world =), and are moving in the right direction
02-09-2007 | 09:49 AM
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From: Former EMB 120 Jr. Water Boy, CRJ newbee
02-09-2007 | 09:57 AM
#5
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
I just told them Geography...they have the most diverse domicile options in the Western US (plus ORD & MKE). I also said that I haf heard they were a good company to work for, etc, etc.
This question is not a big deal, they just want to hear something other than "you guys were the first people who called me"
This question is not a big deal, they just want to hear something other than "you guys were the first people who called me"
02-09-2007 | 10:48 AM
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From: 30 West
Do yourself a favor and don't go there! Before all you low time guys just jump at the chance to work for the first regional who calls you, do your research! The people that work there don't even realize how bad they have it but the work rules and pay are not good! People may argue that the pay scale is slightly higher than most but it is just a facade! that is how they fool you! they don't have duty or trip rigs which makes a huge difference in your paycheck. they have a bidding system that only benefits the senior people in the company. High priced benefits for your family, No trip touching when it comes to vacation, unless you plan on moving they have no commuter clause, reduced pay in training, double occupancy in hotels, pay for your own jepps. Yeah guys, it really sounds like a great place to work! I heard their INTVW is like five stages long! Come on, do these recruiters realize that your interviewing for a $19/hr regional job and not a major!. No union protection, so plan on being fired at any moment with no say in it! Plus, with how short they are on people plan on being junior-manned nonstop! Don't be drawn in by the shiny looking jet! I guarantee you'll live to regret it later!!!! You've worked way too hard to get to this point, don't sell yourself out to a company that will do whatever it takes to pay you less! Hold out for a company that does'nt keep lowering the standard like i.e. xjt, comair, awac, or horizon!
02-09-2007 | 10:56 AM
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02-09-2007 | 11:14 AM
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From: CRJ left
Do yourself a favor and don't go there! Before all you low time guys just jump at the chance to work for the first regional who calls you, do your research! The people that work there don't even realize how bad they have it but the work rules and pay are not good! People may argue that the pay scale is slightly higher than most but it is just a facade! that is how they fool you! they don't have duty or trip rigs which makes a huge difference in your paycheck. they have a bidding system that only benefits the senior people in the company. High priced benefits for your family, No trip touching when it comes to vacation, unless you plan on moving they have no commuter clause, reduced pay in training, double occupancy in hotels, pay for your own jepps. Yeah guys, it really sounds like a great place to work! I heard their INTVW is like five stages long! Come on, do these recruiters realize that your interviewing for a $19/hr regional job and not a major!. No union protection, so plan on being fired at any moment with no say in it! Plus, with how short they are on people plan on being junior-manned nonstop! Don't be drawn in by the shiny looking jet! I guarantee you'll live to regret it later!!!! You've worked way too hard to get to this point, don't sell yourself out to a company that will do whatever it takes to pay you less! Hold out for a company that does'nt keep lowering the standard like i.e. xjt, comair, awac, or horizon!
Then in 3 year's time when you'll be flying the same PHX-PRC-Kingman- and back route every single day in your beat-up falling apart Merlin, loading and unloading boxes, working 10hours/day, 20 days a month for $40,000, while the guys at SKW will be making 60k+ working 30% less than you and having a shot at the majors. Sounds like a no-brainer to me
.Or maybe go to XJT, where there is a lot of growth and certainty for the future. Where they hired very few FOs in the last 2 years, and therefore will have a lightning fast upgrade times.
Not to mention the value-added of being based in such charming cities such as Newark, Cleveland or Houston.But if job security is what you're after, then your suggestion to go to Comair is spon-on!
Alternatively, Horizon would be a good move to get that fast upgrade.
Or if you're just overwhelmed by all these attractive employment opportunities and need some time to think about them, go for AWAC. You'll have about 6-months or so to reflect upon your decision while you're waiting for a class date (maybe).
I agree with you, stay away from SKW. The other alternatives sound MUCH better.
02-09-2007 | 12:26 PM
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From: CRJ left
You have made some good points, but have fun never being at home since you will be getting junior manned every week at SKW. Ameriflight is a rock solid company as far as stability goes, plus you are at home every night and have every weekend off and every major holiday off! what regional can provide that unless you have been there 20+ years? Sure, I agree the amflt A/C are not pretty to look. Also, your family and friends will ask you for the rest of your life "when are you going to have enough hours to fly passengers" but sometimes QOL outweighs the fancy jet!!!
As far as QOL, it's all relative. I don't prefer SKW over Amflight because of the fancy jet! In fact, I'd rather fly a chieftain single-pilot any day over a CRJ! Lots more fun. But for me working M-F, same routes, loading-unloading boxes dealing with old aircraft that beak all the time is not good QOL. It becomes routine VERY quick. Not to mention the risks involved in flying older aircarft (both safety and certificate-wise). Doing this for several years and still be making $40,000 is not good remuneration. Plus getting stuck as an Ameriflight lifer is not a good QOL either. Not to mention the fact you won't build any multi-crew time, which will make you less competitive with the majors in 3/4 years, where you'll compete against thousands of 121, multi-crew regional captains who will have built more time than you. Plus at Amflight the schedule doesn't really improve much with seniority, unlike the regionals.
Plus getting time off at Amflight is a b!tch, not nearly as easy as with the regionals. Not to mention you get virtually no travel benefits (only CASS, but none international or family).
At a good regional the first year sucks, but after that the pay is livable, benefits are good and so is time off. I would much rather get 17/18 days off a months and do several overnights than work M-F. If I wanted a M-F job I could have accepted jobs in engineering or meteorology where I'd be making 3X the money. Again, its all relative.
All this has been discussed before. Check out http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/sh...ht=ameriflight
The most significant post on that thread from a guy who's been there and done that is:
I worked at AMF from Oct. 2000 until Jan. 06 and piloted C402, BE99, Metro's, and the Brasilia all as captain. In that time I went from 1200 hours to the low 6000's. It was hard work with long hours in demanding conditions. In a lot of cases you are the stand alone source in executing a safe flight in all sorts of conditions. You will learn to fly weather aggressively and stay sharp in all your planning and operational skills (think Fate is the Hunter here). That is the PIC experience we want on our resume and the backbone to a resume that demonstrates confidence in your abilities to future employers. That is good.
What is not so good is 12-14 hour days spread over six days a week in aging aircraft. They maintain their aircraft to a higher standard than I have seen at other 135 operators. AMF has been in business for over 37 years, so they know how to perform in this type of environment. So what is wrong with that? The technology and advanced CRM practices common to 121 operators with newer aircraft are necessary tools you need today. These are critical pieces of knowledge for pilots beyond the "single-pilot ILS to minimums". Modern gold-standard practices are very important on your resume too. It was hard to convince prospective employers I could do those things as well our better than those with 121 PIC or FO regional jet or larger transport credentials. You can do it but it is an frustrating uphill battle, even with 4000+ PIC turbine.
As for the schedule you want...AMF's TDY temporary duty schedule is three weeks on, one week off. They will ask for more, so be prepared to stay out for six weeks.
My advice...jets with glass will take your career further, faster and have more perks. You may want to consider a Fractional as experience allows.
Good Luck
What is not so good is 12-14 hour days spread over six days a week in aging aircraft. They maintain their aircraft to a higher standard than I have seen at other 135 operators. AMF has been in business for over 37 years, so they know how to perform in this type of environment. So what is wrong with that? The technology and advanced CRM practices common to 121 operators with newer aircraft are necessary tools you need today. These are critical pieces of knowledge for pilots beyond the "single-pilot ILS to minimums". Modern gold-standard practices are very important on your resume too. It was hard to convince prospective employers I could do those things as well our better than those with 121 PIC or FO regional jet or larger transport credentials. You can do it but it is an frustrating uphill battle, even with 4000+ PIC turbine.
As for the schedule you want...AMF's TDY temporary duty schedule is three weeks on, one week off. They will ask for more, so be prepared to stay out for six weeks.
My advice...jets with glass will take your career further, faster and have more perks. You may want to consider a Fractional as experience allows.
Good Luck
Last but not least, I have very little respect for a company that has a PAY-4-WORK program like Amflight. This is really distgusting.
Other than that, I'll agree that Amflight is one of the better 135 operators, so I won't blame you for going there. But don't come here bashing SWK because maybe, just maybe, they might offer a more attractive gig than amflight IMHO.
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