Originally Posted by Utah (Post 2447529)

I see looking at your other post you're at Air Wisconsin or will be starting shortly. They certainly have a nice bonus program for new hires. I guess the question there might be why do they have that and we don't? Yet we still attract way more new hires here.

A quick look at Air Wisconsin show only three domiciles, old 200s, and a short term new contract with one partner. Additionally staffing should run about 10 pilots per aircraft yet the pilot group totals under 500. That tells me they are 150 short. And that in my opinion is why they are offering so much to new - and they should. Supply and demand right....

A quick look at SkyWest shows the opposite. 16+ domiciles, with a large number on the west coast. A bunch of new airplanes with a bunch more coming. Four partners with long term contracts. 4500 pilots and growing. The reality of it that has attracted enough pilots here that they haven't needed to pay the big bonus yet to ALL new hires. Again supply and demand...

What's Air Wisconsin going to do when the 200s time out? And they can't get any 175s because of scope limits? Or costs.. Do you think the UA contract will get extended or some other carrier may underbid them next time around? It could be us or it could be Mesa... What if Air Wisconsin tells United they can't operate all 65 aircraft? They can only operate 50 because of a lack of pilots. Or 40. And your upgrade gets pushed off another year or two? Horizon is having this problem now. And guess who's flying their aircraft?

All of that plays into why pilots are still coming here. I'm sure Air Wisconsin is a good company to work for, but there are a lot more things to consider than just first year bonuses. I wouldn't be surprised to see those offered here at some point though.

Originally Posted by Duesenflieger (Post 2447595)

We all came here for stability. I came in the 2015 timeframe when Envoy and Endeavor were burning. Things have changed fast. There are better options now. Not surprised that we are losing potential candidates to higher paying regionals offering career progression. In terms of the health of the company, SkyWest is the best regional to be at if you seek a long-term career position. If you don't come to SkyWest, you won't have any less or better a career, though. Get some jet time from somewhere and escape as fast as you can. I have an interview with an LCC set up in the coming months. May take it, may not, we shall see. I feel as if any regional could have brought me to this point in typical pilot career progression.

Originally Posted by amcnd (Post 2447648)

Sometimes better options burn you. I went to Eagle in 1998. Flow through upgrade in 2 years.. then bam. That truned into down grade, and 16 year flow.... whats good today could be rotten tomorrow... regionals are regionals. You can’t put lipstick on a pig... have fun while you are there. But go to get in and out as quick as you can...

Originally Posted by amcnd (Post 2447654)

Think the line has been “blurred” because of the RJ/ERJ. Before regionals were just props Saab’s,E120’s D328’s. Was a easy decision. Major vs Prop captain making $60k for the rest of your life.... the RJ era sha blurred that...

Originally Posted by FlyWithMe (Post 2448362)

Hi all SkyWest pilots!

New to this and looking to get some insight as to what a schedule looks like for the first year of a FO (after training). How long on reserve (and what does this look like), likelihood of being based out of home vs. commuting (I'm in SEA), and overall quality of life. How many days/nights can one expect to be gone each month? Would most weekends and holidays be gone tow work? I have read a bit about flying for a regional, but looking for SkyWest specifically and figured the best way was to ask from those who may know first hand.

Thanks in advance! :cool: