How long does the background check typically take? I believe SkyWest sends PRIA only to prior 121/135 employers, so that should make things much faster as opposed to sending to all employers including flight schools, skydiving ops, etc.

They are required to send them to all previous employers where you worked as a pilot. They may or may not get a response from part 91 employers.

Technically they don't have to wait for PRIA responses, since that data is for their information only, they are no set rules that say if XYZ happened at your last employer they cannot hire you. The PRIA system just wants them to have access to the info.

Many employers wait for the background check and PRIA before giving class dates or even CJO's, because they don't want to have to fire you if it turns up something you lied about.

There's far less risk of getting sued for not offering a job in the first place, than firing someone out of class who already quit his old job.

But some airlines don't care, it's on you to ensure they have all the correct info when they make their hiring decision. If something comes up later they'll be happy to fire you.

Have you gone through the SkyWest background check recently? I was under the impression that they only want PRIA forms filled for prior 121/125/135 jobs.

Not recently, but I don't think the PRIA rule gives them option of selecting who they send requests to, unless it changed recently. You can google that.

When I filled out my forms they only wanted 121/135 operators (maybe 91K, as well, can't remember).

I am going through PRIA right now.
Can confirm they contacted my part 91 previous employer. Granted it is part 91 flying 23 passenger airplanes so that might have something to do with it

If there’s something in your background then you would be smart to disclose it up front, not wonder if it will be discovered.

It's not just PRIA, they also need to contact your previous employers for DOT drug testing results.
Grand Canyon got stinged pretty badly years ago, when they did not send a request to a previous employer.
The previous employer was McDonald's so they thought ok no reason to send them anything.
Well, the guy worked as a driver there and was subject to DOT drug testing, and the FAA/DOT gave GCA a nasty fine because of it.