fenix1

There are comments/discussions mixed in across many threads about commuting at SkyWest, but I wanted to get to the heart of it with a dedicated thread. Some make the case that not having a defined commuting policy works out well enough if you’re truly making a good faith effort to get to work, which makes a lot of sense. Others make it sound as though the lack of a defined commuting policy gives the Chief Pilots/management the opportunity (taken at times) to crush those who don’t make report time (even infrequently). What is the reality that you’re seeing and/or experiencing currently?

How much does commuting on SKW-operated flights matter? (Is jumpseat priority on company iron the same for the entire SKW fleet or does jumpseat priority change depending on whether the flight is on behalf of AA/UA/DL/AS?)

I’d primarily have 1-leg commutes, but some 2-leg “fun” would be entirely possible when very junior.

TheFly

I’ve been here 6 years and commuted for almost 3. I’ve never had an issue when I called out...no questions asked. With that said, commute responsibly and don’t abuse the system.

trip

Yes to all the above. That's probably not the answer you want to hear. Yes to priority on SKYW jumpseats but that may change in the future.
United mainline pilots want the jumpseats badly because, well because.

fenix1

Thanks a lot and I understand completely - the CP’s have to do what they have to do when someone clearly isn’t doing the right thing and is taking advantage of the absence of a defined policy.

fenix1

So have you seen people get rung up for commuting issues when they probably shouldn’t have been? Or have you seen the CP’s/management be reasonable?

If UA pulls rank on SKW/UA jumpseats, then that wouldn’t help, but shouldn’t pose major challenges for me.

Above all, just seeking to learn the facts of life & truth about commuting at SKW - if the baby’s ugly, then I’ll plan accordingly - so thanks much for the help.

trip

Just show up for work on time, 90% of the job, any job for that matter.
When your new and commuting you will need to give yourself plan A,B,C to show for work on time. That's three jumpseats or two and a car that will get you to work on time.
You may end up leaving the night before.
When you have been doing it for a while and see that plan A works 95% of the time or what your comfortable with, then you might get away with just plan A,B, get my drift?
Still want to commute?

RJDio

I’m not sure where you’re getting your info from, but the only proposal I’ve seen had express carriers keeping priority on their metal. Mainline would only have priority on express jumpseats when other express pilots list. FYI UAL management is behind the change too.

But don’t worry you’ll still get priority on delta, AAL, Alaska.

captive apple

How would your reciprocate that?

RJDio

You keep priority on your metal, we on ours. What am I missing?

trip

Wasn't it something to do with how the change was written in the computer? There was no distinction among EX carriers therefore UA was always higher priority on EX?
Also old agreements between EX carriers where in place amongst themselves, and agreements between individual EX and UA, these were tossed without consulting the EX parties affected.

It could happen but all parties will have to at the table and new agreements worked out, alternatively brute force and threats can be used to make affected parties comply.
Everything is negotiable.

I'm done with jumpseat sheeet in this thread.