Skywest v2.0
#9361
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 329
Likes: 3
Any new hire pilot with 0 121 time that started today at any regional (except expressjet) would be able to upgrade once they get the required time. And you are right, there is nowhere where they could do that at 45-50k a year starting off, all other regionals pay more than that low amount, even mesa.....
#9362
They will not need to dig ditches or work 80 hour week...they have too many options out there even if you refuse to accept it.....but yes they will quit and leave in hundreds, just watch the show coming...they will leave to go and work for Endevour and other Regionals that will match the new Endevour TA.
For us, the ones left at SkyWest hard times are ahead with a company forcing everyone to work more because of staffing problems. Staffing problems that we will be unable to solve and that even importing Australian pilot’s with H1B work visas. (We have more than 30 of those at SkyWest and that is how the company been filling new hire classes lately while selling the lie that we did not have any issues filling classes)
The future of SkyWest is at risk now thanks to all those that voted yes believing they where being “good boys”, being satisfied with 1% and proudly helping the company save money by voting yes while drinking the koolaid sold by a management disconnected to the current Regional Airlines times. I care about the future and my job with Skywest and I have been here more than a decade and I am one of those that flown commercially for more than 20 years and have paid my dues many times over and I am angry and disappointed with all pilots that do not have the capacity to see the bigger picture adapt and understand what is really important and what really needs to be done at any given moment to survive in these times. Voting yes for a 5 year contract disconnected to the reality of the industry puts all our jobs and our company at risk. To survive and to stay competitive we need to be able to staff the Airline and for that it is critical that we pay the best and not the worst like what we have achieved.
For us, the ones left at SkyWest hard times are ahead with a company forcing everyone to work more because of staffing problems. Staffing problems that we will be unable to solve and that even importing Australian pilot’s with H1B work visas. (We have more than 30 of those at SkyWest and that is how the company been filling new hire classes lately while selling the lie that we did not have any issues filling classes)
The future of SkyWest is at risk now thanks to all those that voted yes believing they where being “good boys”, being satisfied with 1% and proudly helping the company save money by voting yes while drinking the koolaid sold by a management disconnected to the current Regional Airlines times. I care about the future and my job with Skywest and I have been here more than a decade and I am one of those that flown commercially for more than 20 years and have paid my dues many times over and I am angry and disappointed with all pilots that do not have the capacity to see the bigger picture adapt and understand what is really important and what really needs to be done at any given moment to survive in these times. Voting yes for a 5 year contract disconnected to the reality of the industry puts all our jobs and our company at risk. To survive and to stay competitive we need to be able to staff the Airline and for that it is critical that we pay the best and not the worst like what we have achieved.
#9363
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 329
Likes: 3
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.
I’m actually a fan of this new mentality of expecting improvements or they are willing to leave for greener pastures.
#9365
Prime Minister/Moderator

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,911
Likes: 694
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
They will not need to dig ditches or work 80 hour week...they have too many options out there even if you refuse to accept it.....but yes they will quit and leave in hundreds, just watch the show coming...they will leave to go and work for Endevour and other Regionals that will match the new Endevour TA.
For us, the ones left at SkyWest hard times are ahead with a company forcing everyone to work more because of staffing problems. Staffing problems that we will be unable to solve and that even importing Australian pilot’s with H1B work visas. (We have more than 30 of those at SkyWest and that is how the company been filling new hire classes lately while selling the lie that we did not have any issues filling classes)
The future of SkyWest is at risk now thanks to all those that voted yes believing they where being “good boys”, being satisfied with 1% and proudly helping the company save money by voting yes while drinking the koolaid sold by a management disconnected to the current Regional Airlines times. I care about the future and my job with Skywest and I have been here more than a decade and I am one of those that flown commercially for more than 20 years and have paid my dues many times over and I am angry and disappointed with all pilots that do not have the capacity to see the bigger picture adapt and understand what is really important and what really needs to be done at any given moment to survive in these times. Voting yes for a 5 year contract disconnected to the reality of the industry puts all our jobs and our company at risk. To survive and to stay competitive we need to be able to staff the Airline and for that it is critical that we pay the best and not the worst like what we have achieved.
For us, the ones left at SkyWest hard times are ahead with a company forcing everyone to work more because of staffing problems. Staffing problems that we will be unable to solve and that even importing Australian pilot’s with H1B work visas. (We have more than 30 of those at SkyWest and that is how the company been filling new hire classes lately while selling the lie that we did not have any issues filling classes)
The future of SkyWest is at risk now thanks to all those that voted yes believing they where being “good boys”, being satisfied with 1% and proudly helping the company save money by voting yes while drinking the koolaid sold by a management disconnected to the current Regional Airlines times. I care about the future and my job with Skywest and I have been here more than a decade and I am one of those that flown commercially for more than 20 years and have paid my dues many times over and I am angry and disappointed with all pilots that do not have the capacity to see the bigger picture adapt and understand what is really important and what really needs to be done at any given moment to survive in these times. Voting yes for a 5 year contract disconnected to the reality of the industry puts all our jobs and our company at risk. To survive and to stay competitive we need to be able to staff the Airline and for that it is critical that we pay the best and not the worst like what we have achieved.
Most likely they'll be discussing that monday... how to maximize additional money directed at junior FO's while minimizing any associated raises to the more senior folks.
#9366
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 329
Likes: 3
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.
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.
I take great pride in my job. I have 20 years left eligible to fly 121 and not sure if I'll stay here or move on. Either way, it's my business. For the ones who stay, that's their business and right too.
It's absolutely ridiculous for anyone to blame pilots for the decisions of management. BTW, I voted no on the TA too.
#9367
Prime Minister/Moderator

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,911
Likes: 694
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
The real danger is for regional lifers, or those not getting called. Even if they shift your flying to mainline, you might not get to go with it. Safest thing is to go now, rather than wait and hope you land on your feet. Besides you'll have better seniority. I woudn't bet on another 20 years of status quo, not happening.
Even voluntary paycuts, to get senior lifer costs more in life with regional norms would not save you... once the big three start hiring CFI's, game over.
#9368
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
Unfortunately... it's not a "new mentality". It's a new *opportunity*, driven by two factors...
The lesser factor is fewer young people who are interested in aviation, interested in travel, and able/willing to pass drug tests. Why jump through all those hoops when you can kick back, blaze up, and live your life through your phone.
The larger factor is literally unprecedented demand.
Some of the noobs like to shoot off at the mouth about how they're not putting up with things like past generations... but if regional pay suddenly dropped by 50% how many would actually walk away?
It's important to get all the bonuses and carrots baked into pay scales and contracts to ensure they don't "snap back" at the next (inevitable) industry hiccup.
But I'm certainly glad to see things improving, don't know all the deets of the endeavor TA but it sounds like a major turning point. May have finally put SKW at a competitive disadvantage. Or maybe not... you'd have to pay me about $300K MORE to get me to live east of the rockies, $20K-30K, while a significant percentage of regional FO pay, will not get everyone to move east.
The lesser factor is fewer young people who are interested in aviation, interested in travel, and able/willing to pass drug tests. Why jump through all those hoops when you can kick back, blaze up, and live your life through your phone.
The larger factor is literally unprecedented demand.
Some of the noobs like to shoot off at the mouth about how they're not putting up with things like past generations... but if regional pay suddenly dropped by 50% how many would actually walk away?
It's important to get all the bonuses and carrots baked into pay scales and contracts to ensure they don't "snap back" at the next (inevitable) industry hiccup.
But I'm certainly glad to see things improving, don't know all the deets of the endeavor TA but it sounds like a major turning point. May have finally put SKW at a competitive disadvantage. Or maybe not... you'd have to pay me about $300K MORE to get me to live east of the rockies, $20K-30K, while a significant percentage of regional FO pay, will not get everyone to move east.
I would argue that today’s generation is far more likely to walk away when the pay and QOL doesn’t meet their needs/wants. And that is backed up by research that indicates that today’s generation is more likely to have 2-4 career (career not job) changes in their life. Very different than what we are used to, and the aviation industry better be ready for that when they are already short.
As far as geographical advantages/disadvantages of various airlines..
Right now it seems that Skywest is trying to take over the world. With the pay that Endeavor is offering, good luck staffing common bases in the future..
#9370
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 0
From: Downward Dog
Yet ASA is in the middle of the Delta adios.
The landscape will continue to change.
The landscape will continue to change.
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