So regarding all the pilots caught by this COVID mess while in training, I have questions.

While still technically employed, and receiving either 10 hrs per pay period or health care coverage, what's your obligation to SkyWest should you find other flying work? What would the company position be on this? I'm talking about a full time job that comes with a contract due to training costs. People need to work and put food on the table.

If the call comes to go back to training and you have an obligation elsewhere, are you done? Would they pass you over in seniority until you're available? Has anyone had this discussion with the company or with a SAPA rep?

There's plenty of room for debate about when or if trainees will get called back, and although it relates to these questions it's not what I'm looking to discuss.

 

I'm not sure anyone can answer this for sure. However, the company is keeping the new hires on not because they are worried about hiring anytime soon, but because they felt it was unfair to kick everyone to the curb with no health insurance and few job prospects right after they quit their old jobs to come to SkyWest. I suspect if you find full time employment elsewhere, no longer need the health insurance, and are unwilling to drop that job as soon as SkyWest is ready for you to return, then they'd expect you to resign. Or at least they'd expect you to go on an unpaid LOA where they aren't continuing to pay you/pay your insurance when you aren't going to be available to them.

They've already fired a number of pilots for taking reserve pay when they knew they weren't actually available to fly if they got called. This would be a very similar situation. You don't want to have to explain getting fired for cause at a mainline interview.

On the other hand, no one would fault you at all for resigning in this situation to take another job or taking an unpaid LOA for the duration of your training requirement, if the company would allow it. You won't, however, keep your seniority I don't believe. You might accrue longevity, but I'm pretty sure you have to pass your LOE before you get to keep your pilot seniority while on an LOA.

 

I know of a guy who is in a similar position. From his story, there must not be any obligation until you receive a call to come back to training.

He was able to find his way into a nice corporate flying gig that he enjoys more than the airline side. He continues to collect the minimum pay and benefits from SkyWest but he said that he will resign when they call him back for training.

It will be interesting to see how many people don’t return to training when the callbacks come.

 

We are “subject to a two week recall”. To me- you’ll have to choose. Congrats on the gig and having to make choices. If you “stay employed” knowing you won’t take that call.... keep in mind what it’ll be like if you ever decide to reapply to Skywest.

I’ve reapplied to former (large corporate) employers before. They have absolutely looked back at how I left. Food for thought.

 

Depends really on the size of the training contract. If it is prorated by month, and you can somehow cover it when you resign based on your best guess at how much it might cost you, then take the job. If you think Skywest calls you back in the next 5-6 months, it’s probably not a very good idea, but that’s a personal decision based on your finances.

Nowhere in that discussion was the idea that you lead either employer on or not take the job at Skywest when it comes up.

 

My guess is that you will have to choose between any current gig and SkyWest, and as Roger mentioned, with large companies, they will typically look back at how you left. If you wait until last minute when they are ready for you to come back to say, "thanks, but no thanks", they may not look to favorably on future applications you may submit. Just my 2 cents though.

 

I don’t understand how skywest would find the need to hire when airplanes are parked and mainline is not hiring. Some majors have furloughed. It’s my understanding that furloughs are not a short term solution. I would think years not months for there to be a need for skywest to hire.

 

We were talking about the recall of trainees. No speculation here about hiring.

 

It’s a similar scenario. Those pilots were hired pre-Covid. The hiring was based on growth and attrition at the top moving to mainline. So, those people, sadly, would likely not be needed for a few years.

 

The few of us are getting paid 1k/month and receiving health insurance coverage via LOA thru (at least) May 31 to sit on the bench. Very different. Sure, we might get furloughed. That’s a different discussion.

We’re the bird in the hand; a bench (at low cost) is smart business.

Now, if only I can figure out how my login name changed with a password reset.... signed roger ball.