Seems like it will be at least 4+ years in the right seat, even with the current movement.

No kidding. 1500-2500 was the typical competitive mins for commuters/regionals for a very long time. The interview sim is not really that bad at all if you're currently flying steam gauges (ex. amflight, lakes). If you're flying glass, or instructing and not flying much, a little sim prep (or MS flight sim) should get you up to speed easily. Instructing, even CFII, is NOT the same as flying the plane yourself.

But on the off chance that SKW offers bonuses, it will likely be to put pressure on bottom-feeder competitors. They are also looking into a very abbreviated training course for new-hires who are already typed (and current?)...this would make it easier for junior FO's at other carriers to transition without wasting a couple months in training.

$5K isn't much if it causes a competitor to be under-staffed, cancel flights, and maybe lose some flying.

This has been a rumor for a while, it stemmed from SkyWest trying/getting approval to do an abbreviated course for people with a type rating. Obviously SkyWest saves money on the type and transfers it to the new hire. The bonus is designed to make the first year pay more bearable by effectively increasing a line holders pay by $5 a hour (90 hours a month for a year / 5000).

Theres not many CFIs to be had, there are more people that have gone through airline training and wanting to make a leap from their current carrier for whatever reason.

Bet you are a better pilot, after that experience.

....a VERY long time ago. The CFI who got me through my solo got hired at Skywest in 2006 with 650 hours and is now a Captain. He only instructed for a few months. He did pass the training, and that's what matters. You're there to learn and you learn quick. Europe puts you in the right seat of a 737 at 250 hours and so does South America. Undermining CFIs is pretty low. Everyone has to start somewhere.

9E guys are going to places with very quick upgrades not Skywest.

I doubt 5 grand to go to Skywest will sway any of them, especially since Delta just threw a possible extra $80,000 at them.

Then go get your JAA ATPL. It'll only cost you several thousands of dollars and a ton of studying. They require levels of magnitudes greater knowledge of their ATPL candidates than most 10 year Captains in our airlines have.

No one is undermining CFIs. Fact is, that 1500 hours isn't a lot of experience and doesn't give you a golden ticket to flying families through the mountains in near zero visibility conditions. Additionally, you aren't paying for your training, the airline is. They aren't going to invest tens of thousands of dollars "giving you a shot" to pass their training. Most people fail out of training because they can't fly instruments. If, by sim 3, you can't fly a SE ILS within PTS with very little issues, you are behind.

You still don't get it. CFI or C-130 pilot, makes no difference, this is about supplementing a ****ty first year income.

Apply, take the sim, come fly the line. Anything less than that is just barking at the moon. If you apply, and they don't call, look in the mirror. Right now, if you can fog a mirror, and not pi$$ the interviewer off, it's class time!

Listen Clown. We all get first year pay.

So, you're upset that a company is rewarding previous experience in an aircraft they already can fly? This is exactly what should be encouraged but you want yours too. Everyone here complains that the industry doesn't compensate according to experience like every other industry. When a company does do that, even though it truly is completely insignificant, the guys who haven't ever flown 121 complain that it's not fair.