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Bombardier CRJ900 Delta Connection Model with Detailed Interior

 

I'm not trolling or trying to start a ****ing contest on which airline is better, I would appreciate some solid advice.

If you had to pick a regional today, would you still choose SkyWest or would you pick a wholly owned American regional where you have a flow and almost double the pay? If not, can you tell me why you would pick SkyWest again.

I really appreciate any solid answers. As you know, choosing a regional is a big decision and I'm trying to decide what's best for my career and family.

 

The operative term here is "family"

Avoid commuting at all cost. So pick a regional that has a base where you live or move.... Nothing else matters.

 

I'm not going to lie to you, if I were looking for a regional operating in Chicago right after Envoy made its announcement of souped up pay last year, I would have gone there. Double the first year money plus the flow to have as a backup are a win-win. I came to SkyWest before that when Envoy seemed to be a burning dumpster fire, but things are turning around there it seems.

Then again, I feel vindicated for coming to SkyWest because we have taken over a yyyuuuge chunk of Envoy's former flying in ORD, meaning that I'm still employed and have lots of flying to do as a lineholder. So it worked out for me I guess.

 

I'm an FO that barely works, someone is going to have to post a W2 of 100K for me to believe they make nearly double.

Other regionals currently have very enticing offers right now.

 

There's no competition when it comes to 1st year pay.

However, after vesting in the SKW bonus pool and taking advantage of displacements a 2-3 year FO could make $60-$65k here (incl per diem). The trip and duty rigs combined with displacement policy add up in terms of QOL and $$. The upgrade time here is between 1.5 and 2 years, with 40 more DTW CA slots being awarded today we shall see how low it will go.

You should definitely note that SKW upgrades are going to the Mid-west. Not anywhere near the West coast (4+ years and climbing).

If I didn't have a college degree, wanted AA, and was OK with the Envoy domiciles it would seem like a winner to me. SKW is certainly lacking in big bonuses, I could see how that's a factor to many. I don't see things changing here soon as they're still hiring 100 a month.

 

Has anybody made the lateral move to Skywest from another regional like Compass or Commutair?

 

I think a bunch of guys bailed for Compass when they experienced that growth. They're the only regional not hiring right now, so currently I would say no. Although, even if they were hiring without an influx of flying or extension of the current flying deals I don't see where it would be a smart move for someone starting out in 2017.

I haven't heard of anyone going to Commutair although I'm sure it's happened. I primarily see people taking a lateral to the AA WO's for the bonuses and flow (mainly those without a 4 year).

 

For anyone considering coming here, just be aware that for the time being, and probably the foreseeable future, "SkyMidWest" would be a more appropriate name for this airline.

Significant amounts of flying have shifted from West Coast bases to DTW and ORD. With the E175 deliveries pretty much done, and with West Coast bases heavily overstaffed (45% of all SFO CRJ guys will be on reserve this month and for the foreseeable future), transitions, upgrades, and transfers into West Coast bases will be very limited for the foreseeable future.

If you live near ORD, MSP, or DTW, this is a great place to be. If you're a West Coaster? Not so much.

Just tellin' it like it is. Of course, this could all change tomorrow, but there are no signs that it will. Then again, this has all been in the works for quite some time and should come as no surprise to anyone...

 

Lol. So you're using the last few months as the litmus for the future? Short-sighted might be an understatement here.