How long does it take to become vested for the retirement plan at SkyWest?

new hire about 4 years.

Thank you!

Per SWOL:

• Pilots hired before 10/01/2022 are 100% vested immediately.
• Pilots hired on or after 10/01/2022 will be 100% vested after three completed years of service.

Does "hire date" refer to original hire date (cadets), benefits seniority date, or current job date?

This exact question was answered during our indoc by SAPA. They said it is based on original hire date for cadets.

Kind of an aside...

If you think you might stay at OO (or any regional) long enough to qualify for retirement travel benefits, you need to make sure you understand the rules because they vary depending on major partner. You might need X number of years flying that partner's metal (typically determined by base and fleet), and the years might need to be contiguous... ie, you can't bid to another fleet for a while and then come back, and you might need to be on that partner's paint on the day you retire.

Not to mention, if the mainline cuts your regional even after you retire, you lose your flight benefits.

you are right rick, if you stay here more than 20 years you will get it, or if you are older, 55 and have 10 years of service, you will get only UAL and DAL travel benies. you will not get AA, AS. lots of guys during the pandemic left and got their retirement travel benefits, left for greener pastures.

you are right, but so far it has not happened yet but could happen.

Also if you "retire" then go wok for another airline you just might (will) lose your retirement non-rev privilege's. I don't think anyone actually sticks around for those anyway, maybe a couple feline ranchers, IDK.