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I've been offered a class date on the ERJ, but hesitant to officially accept the offer. I also have a date with a higher-paying regional but I know a QOL is key and living in-base, out West, is the ultimate goal. My gut is with SkyWest, but naturally, I'm torn. Easier debt payments with higher-paying regional vs. the chance of living in a city I enjoy. ERJ/senior guys, penny for your thoughts? Any positives or concerns to note that I might have overlooked in previous comments that could help me narrow down my decision?
With limited access to SkyWest Online (cadet), is there a smart way to scout upgrade times or how much a base is flying to shop intelligently?
Originally Posted by MrButter
HowdyI've been offered a class date on the ERJ, but hesitant to officially accept the offer. I also have a date with a higher-paying regional but I know a QOL is key and living in-base, out West, is the ultimate goal. My gut is with SkyWest, but naturally, I'm torn. Easier debt payments with higher-paying regional vs. the chance of living in a city I enjoy. ERJ/senior guys, penny for your thoughts? Any positives or concerns to note that I might have overlooked in previous comments that could help me narrow down my decision?
With limited access to SkyWest Online (cadet), is there a smart way to scout upgrade times or how much a base is flying to shop intelligently?
Ok so I’m a 4 year captain and getting frustrated with the lack of bargaining power/crap quality of life that we’re settling for here at SkyWest, so I’m going to start chiming in here on the forums. (Yay my outlet to prevent spewing my poor complaints into new FOs)
So ok check the upgrade times are on the SkyWest website under pilot information. It tells you the average times in a nice chart so you can see where you can be a junior captain.
Most of us ERJ FO to CRJ CAs have gone East (ORD-MSP-ATL-DTW-LGA) for upgrades around the 3 year mark and we’re super junior and barely able to make any West coast base currently.
Days off are around 11-13 off per month and you’re going to be worked to the bone. Do not expect more days off per month. Also pay as far as regionals shouldn’t sway you too much, I am currently recommending that new hires look purely at domiciles they’d be at, quality of life/days off per month, and the overall vibe at that company (huge! And def influenced my choice which turned out to be the best I could have made).
Currently SkyWests lack of QOL is becoming worse as the company squeezes what they can out of us... and that seems to shadow whatever pay we are achieving... even senior papas can’t get the time off they’d like as our vacation is impossible, and ability to manipulate your schedule is becoming ever worse.. good luck.
I’d be very senior on the ERJ FO side and could be enjoying a more west coast base but need the PIC to move on out of here, so it’s a sacrifice that you’ll probably be making also. So try to examine where you’ll be at 3 years with this company and where as a captain or lifetime FO (my opinion, even with MIL time...).
Overall I am doing my best to move on as we all are but, happy I chose SkyWest.
I may have chose Mesa for more time off at this point, or Compass for a junior west coast base with faster upgrade (that’s now different) or Horizon (which is different for the better). I’d recommend her horizon if you’re looking at Junior West Coast base or even Compass even though they’ve lost their Delta flying. Mesa I don’t know much about but that could be a west coast option..