spaceboy30000

I'm considering an offer from Skywest, starting in the next few weeks.

I've got a few thousand 121 PIC hours in CRJs, so it sounds like the "street captain" option is also likely available.

ATL would definitely be my preferred base, since I live around here.

I know lots of things are "in flux" right now, but I could use some experienced opinions on life as a new hire Skywest ATL F/O vs. an ATL new-hire captain. On the good side, I wouldn't be commuting, but I still wouldn't want to be worked to death either, (especially if I went left seat and might just be stuck at the bad end of the seniority list for a long time). Maybe just staying right seat for a little while might be better for quality of life...?

Would it be a better idea to try for maybe PSA and see if I could get that Knoxville base or maybe Charlotte? I'm really trying to avoid any ridiculous commutes if I can...

Having previously flown for the regionals for a few years, I know that "the grass is always greener" on the other side of the fence. With that said, can anyone try to give me any sort of knowledgeable opinion on this?

FWIW, I'm hoping to get current and maybe jump to a major in a year or two, so I guess I am looking at this as a relatively shorter than longer situation.

Any informed insight (or best guesses?) would be appreciated.

Thanks!

amcnd

Its a Jr base. There are only a handful with transfers bids in for ATL. We still have lots of growth and movement the next year. Its not like your asking for SLC... Atlanta is very attainable...

Check Complete

I would definitely look somewhere else. If you came to SkyWest as a Captain you would be on reserve forever. SkyWest reserve is its own special version of hell, and just when it couldn’t get any worse, last week it did.

I pretty sure if you came here and sat on reserve for very long you would probably just get out of aviation again. And then there’s the option the company could send you to LGA!

zondaracer

I’m just curious, but which regional has great reserve rules? Are there other regionals that are upgrading new hires where you won’t be on the bottom of the seniority list?

SirLurksalot

Well since you asked edv has some long call rsv, limitations on ready rsv, min 12 days off/mo for reserves, ability to commute in during reserve callout time, and ability to volunteer for ready on day 1 which makes it possible to come in later on day 1 as well. Thats off the top of my head. Oh, and new hires as atl captains! Does skw share or beat any of those items that you know of?

amcnd

Endeavor i another good option for ATL. But they stoped hiring tell fall and by then more FO’s will be qualified for upgrade.. so its a gamble waiting for that. Good news is come here and you can leave anytime if you dont like it. No one is stopping you... (just please be sure to explain why on your exit interview (paper form) so you can help the rest of us)

zondaracer

SkyWest has long call, and min 12 days off for reserves. The other items sound like an improvement over OO reserve. OO has proferring, but the rollout of that has some bugs and is being addressed. Also, OO reserves can swap/trade reserve days now.

trip

Long call in name only. You will be first assigned and the rest of your days converted to short.
What has been done to address the proffering loophole?

zondaracer

FAR 117 and FAA interpretation letter has been quoted and brought up to the company. If you require a pilot to acknowledge a trip assignment on their off day, then they have to be considered on duty.

WesternSkies

Expand more in “being able to commute in during reserve call out time”. You can do that here if your commute is less than 2 hours, but you must mean that you have some sort of program?

Ready has gotten better over of the years with added protections. The problem with ready is that it exists.

This latest proffering interpretation by TG, is really disheartening. Then the email yesterday. The man is not to be trusted. He reads like a poser mimicking someone he admires. If he isn’t filled with self doubt he then is delusional because he is losing the crowd.