Listen i get where you’re coming from I do. I’m just saying that we need to all support eachother as a whole and standup for better pay at the regional level like we all deserve. I’m not a SkyWest guy and I respect y’all a ton, I wish nothing but the best for you guys. I just want to see better pay and QOL improvements for us all in the regional industry while we’re all here even if it’s a short time. Sure new guys are taking advantage of it and don’t respect what has been done in the past for them to have an easier life now but theres no reason we can’t all be paid good wages while building our time here, atleast hear me out on that.

 

So where else can an inexperienced, 1500 hour (25 hour multiengine) pilot, straight out of flight instructing in 172s go straight into jets, receive a type rating at company cost, get paid in training, and make close to $45-50 their first year, with the chance of upgrading to captain in a year or two? NOWHERE! I've flown part 91 and 135 jobs before coming here and trust me....people coming here to get experience aren't getting screwed. Most other companies don't pay quarterly bonuses either. Don't believe me....fine. Quit and go fly freight. Better yet, try to get on flying a corporate Gulfstream or Falcon without 5,000 hours turbine pic.

 

I'm not here to bash anyone, but all I hear complaining from is from new guys who haven't flown in any other area of aviation. They keep griping about QOL and low wages. They haven't looked around to see how crappy it is in other areas of this industry. We have it much better than even a few years ago. We're at a regional, not mainline. If Skywest decided to push much higher wages, we'd price ourselves right out of business like so many others have done before. Don't like the pay now? Then build your time and move on.

 

I get what you’re saying but at the end of the day new hires only care about good pay and QOL. If a regional can’t offer bonuses, career advancement (flow/interviews/higher pay) then most new hires don’t care much. That’s just reality right now. I’m all for us all moving on to majors and making a career like we all originally planned on but the reality is that if SkyWest doesn’t atleast raise pay higher or offer career advancement, then SkyWest will be nothing more than another Mesa and I’m not saying that out of disrespect. That’s just the reality of today’s market of pilots and if it continues this way SkyWest could be in for a rude Awakening in regards to a shortage as well. My regional isn’t any better right now and I’m putting in my time as well so I can move on up but I’m just stating what newhires are in search of.

 

Many new hires are coming right out of expensive flight programs and haven't held any real world flying jobs before getting the opportunity to come here, get typed, and fly a jet. Simply put, they don't have a clue about the aviation industry or how it works. I'm sorry, but reality is that the majority of experienced pilots current flying worked their tails off, sacrificed, worked different jobs, moved, did whatever it took to build thousands of hours of multi engine time to even get considered for an interview. And that was even for regionals! I understand we're all past that now and in some ways, that's good.
However, I still get sick and tired of whiners who haven't had any other flying jobs come on here and complain that they're not being "paid enough" or have a *********y QOL because they're required to do the job that THEY ONCE APPLIED for and wanted to do. The company is giving consistent flying, trips, and fairly quick upgrades to those that desired that. Yet, they think they have it so rough. Here's an idea, if they hate it, then freakin' quit! Go dig ditches or work in a crappy cubicle for 80 hours a week.

 

Skywest offers $7500 bonuses for prior 121 or 135 experience. I got one when I switch over to the airline world.
They give quarterly profit sharing and performance bonuses.
As far as career advancement and "flow", I can tell you that flying for Skywest looks good on your resume if you're applying for Delta, SWA, or United. They like Skywest pilots. Period. Expecting a guaranteed flow with anyone is complete crap. Do a good job, upgrade, be a good captain, take pride in your job, get good referances, and your "flow" will happen.

 

I hope so too. After a 20 year military career and many flying jobs, I've had waaaay worse "QOL" conditions than Skywest.

 

I would rather have an industry of professionals who refuse to work for crumbs and expect more pay and better QOL. That may just be what turns this industry around.
I’m actually a fan of this new mentality of expecting improvements or they are willing to leave for greener pastures.

 

People like you that see the regionals as only “a place to build time before moving on” are exactly the reason for stagnant pay and deteriorating QOL.
You should take more pride in what you do and expect to be compensated fairly for it. You are an aviation professional and have the same high standard of responsibility as pilots at other airlines. Please stop selling yourself, your coworkers, and peers at other airlines short. Don’t cheapen the work they do as professionals.

 

What is the approximate amount you expect for the quarterly profit sharing and performance bonuses for the first few years and after upgrading to CA?