Questions for Skywest Pilots

kailuaboy · October 22nd, 2005, 17:50

I was wondering how you like your job? Do they treat you right? What are upgrade times? What are the Junior bases right now?

I am looking at this airline cause I see they are looking for 50-60 pilots per month and that they have bases on the west to mid west coast.

Thanks,
Ivan

viper548 · October 22nd, 2005, 18:57

I love it at SkyWest. ORD, DEN are the junior bases. SLC, COS, TUS, and FAT are pretty junior. You could get any of those within a few months. I just got transfered to SMF after 11 months. PSP, SBA and LAX take a bit longer. We just opened SFO up as a reserve domicile, which LAX is also. They have stopped hiring for the time being. I've heard that's because we don't know how effected we will be by delta's cuts. Upgrade had been running just under 2 years for the CRJ in ORD and the EMB in SLC. If hired on today, i'd speculate upgrade would be 3-4 years unless more dramatic growth happens.

BobDDuck · October 22nd, 2005, 20:25

Intersting.... a friend of mine who has a pretty good inside track just got a email back from their director of HR that said they weren't hiring at all for the next 3 to 4 months.

kailuaboy · October 22nd, 2005, 22:09

I wonder if thats because its close to the end of the year (holiday season). That makes sense to me.

viper548 · October 22nd, 2005, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by kailuaboy

I wonder if thats because its close to the end of the year (holiday season). That makes sense to me.

They ran a bunch of classes over the holidays last year.

blee256 · October 22nd, 2005, 22:53

I dont think that being the end of the year plays any factor in hiring. Airlines dont care about holidays. If they have to staff planes, they are going to run classes. I have heard they dont plan on starting any classes until after the first of they year. Where did you hear about 50-60 a month? If its on the website, then they probably just havent updated it yet.

what happened to Island Air? They are still running classes. They finally offered me a class date, but I had to turn it down. good luck...

aloft · October 22nd, 2005, 22:59

BobDDuck speakum truth. SkyWest has cancelled classes for the next few months because Delta and United are both cutting back their flight schedules, leaving SkyWest "adequately staffed" near-term.

bike21 · October 22nd, 2005, 23:36

Yep. We are indeed slowing down for the next couple of months. I am finishing up systems this week (last class for the year) so we will be junior for a little while. Not to worry though, for our class or you prospective new hires out there...hiring will likely start again as soon as Delta (more so than United) gets some things sorted out. Apparently the same thing happened last time when United first filed ch. 11, then all of a sudden United gave us a ton of new flying and SkyWest was once again behind the curve with hiring. I will probably sit reserve for awhile and then not be able to get a minute off!

So hopefully I won't be junior for too long! I highly recommend coming aboard and joining us. I have been very impressed since day one, and although no company is perfect, SkyWest does seem to have their stuff together! And yes, ORD is certainly a junior base right now. Several of us are heading there and a few others got FAT and SLC as a base...hopefully Denver will come around for me soon!

difete · November 1st, 2005, 01:37

I heard classess were halted because Delta wanted to fly more out of their own planes in SLC, and this has cut back on Skywest growth out there, plus a combination of schedule changes by united.

Doug Taylor · November 1st, 2005, 01:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by difete

I heard classess were halted because Delta wanted to fly more out of their own planes in SLC, and this has cut back on Skywest growth out there, plus a combination of schedule changes by united.

News to me!

difete · November 1st, 2005, 01:42

Thats just what I heard from a couple of captains around.

viper548 · November 1st, 2005, 10:51

I heard DL is taking back SLC-PHX and some other routes that are always full.

Maximillian_Jenius · November 1st, 2005, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by viper548

I heard DL is taking back SLC-PHX and some other routes that are always full.

Thats true cause booked a flight in Feb from PHX-CVG. On the return side I'm going CVG-SLC-PHX.
SLC-PHX is being done in a MD-90. So Doug this means that you might get some PHX overnights soon!

-Matthew

Doug Taylor · November 1st, 2005, 20:06

Nothing appealing like having a 'lay over' when I don't have to worry about signing off 50% of my 401k and losing my house.

TMI, I know!

BoDEAN · November 1st, 2005, 21:06

That's good news =/ I've had my app in there since September. Guess I'll be waiting til 2006 for any info from them.

aloft · November 1st, 2005, 22:46

From the horse's mouth:

Quote:

Date: Oct 11 2005 7:30 AM
From: Brad Holt - 000264
Subject: Update
To: xxxxxxxxxx

I have received several phone calls regarding the cancellation of classes for the next few months and just wanted to update you on what I know so far. Delta and United have both indicated that they will be reducing their schedules for January 2006. Delta will be reducing their flying by approximately 20% and United has indicated that they will reduce our EMB flying (amount of reduction to be determined). We are currently waiting for final schedules. When we receive the schedules we will get a new training schedule out to you and give you a better idea of how we think the reductions will affect us. For now though, we have plenty of coverage for the holidays in all position with the exception of EMB Captain and I anticipate that the reductions in our EMB schedule for November and December will help that situation. Hopefully many of you that have had trouble getting time off over the holidays in years past will have better luck this year. That's our plan anyway. I'll get information out to you as soon as I can. On another note, SAPA is conducting a survey on the recent pay package that was voted down. When the results of that survey are available I will be meeting with them again to discuss the issues. Thanks for all you do to keep our airline running. Your dedication and professionalism continues to make our airline the number 1 airline the industry.

If you have questions or concerns, please give me a call or send me an email. Best regards,

Brad Holt

Holt is OO's VP of Flight Ops

Lee D · November 2nd, 2005, 16:58

Viper and the others pretty much summed up what I have heard too. Wait and see what Delta and United do. Until then, few or no new hire classes or transitions.

That being said, I am nearly to my one year mark and I don't have any major complaints. I was on reserve for maybe 4 months and since I have been able to hold average to good lines on the Brasilla. The more recent new hires may be on reserve longer because of the current aforementioned lack of movement. Senority and timing.

kailuaboy · November 2nd, 2005, 20:41

I appreciate you guys letting me know whats going on. I just got a new student yesturday, he's gonna be a hand full.

I have to get his Private Multi, Instrument and Commercial Multi all done in 5 weeks. I think its possible. So, that will keep me busy while I await a call from someone.

difete · November 7th, 2005, 04:31

Guess I am always right.

October 22nd, 2005, 17:50	#1
kailuaboy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: CLE Posts: 302	Questions for Skywest Pilots I was wondering how you like your job? Do they treat you right? What are upgrade times? What are the Junior bases right now? I am looking at this airline cause I see they are looking for 50-60 pilots per month and that they have bases on the west to mid west coast. Thanks, Ivan

October 22nd, 2005, 20:25	#3
BobDDuck Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Left Seat Posts: 5,523	Intersting.... a friend of mine who has a pretty good inside track just got a email back from their director of HR that said they weren't hiring at all for the next 3 to 4 months. __________________ TBJC08 The Gear Monkey The Gear Monkey Store

October 22nd, 2005, 22:53	#6
blee256 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: lower canada Posts: 1,611	I dont think that being the end of the year plays any factor in hiring. Airlines dont care about holidays. If they have to staff planes, they are going to run classes. I have heard they dont plan on starting any classes until after the first of they year. Where did you hear about 50-60 a month? If its on the website, then they probably just havent updated it yet. what happened to Island Air? They are still running classes. They finally offered me a class date, but I had to turn it down. good luck... __________________ According to a report by Goldman Sachs economists, "the most important contributor to higher profit margins over the past five years has been a decline in labor's share of national income."

October 22nd, 2005, 22:59	#7
aloft Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Inside your OODA loop Posts: 6,812	BobDDuck speakum truth. SkyWest has cancelled classes for the next few months because Delta and United are both cutting back their flight schedules, leaving SkyWest "adequately staffed" near-term. __________________ Commercial Pilot, ASEL/AMEL/IA 900+ TT/25 ME Mountain-qualified Search & Rescue/Disaster Relief Mission Pilot, Civil Air Patrol B.S., Psychology, Univ of Utah

October 22nd, 2005, 23:36	#8
bike21 Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: People's Republic of Boulder Posts: 2,233	Yep. We are indeed slowing down for the next couple of months. I am finishing up systems this week (last class for the year) so we will be junior for a little while. Not to worry though, for our class or you prospective new hires out there...hiring will likely start again as soon as Delta (more so than United) gets some things sorted out. Apparently the same thing happened last time when United first filed ch. 11, then all of a sudden United gave us a ton of new flying and SkyWest was once again behind the curve with hiring. I will probably sit reserve for awhile and then not be able to get a minute off! So hopefully I won't be junior for too long! I highly recommend coming aboard and joining us. I have been very impressed since day one, and although no company is perfect, SkyWest does seem to have their stuff together! And yes, ORD is certainly a junior base right now. Several of us are heading there and a few others got FAT and SLC as a base...hopefully Denver will come around for me soon! __________________ Free SAPA! (and Tibet) ____________________ www.glenntilton.com

October 22nd, 2005, 18:57	#2
viper548 Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 813	I love it at SkyWest. ORD, DEN are the junior bases. SLC, COS, TUS, and FAT are pretty junior. You could get any of those within a few months. I just got transfered to SMF after 11 months. PSP, SBA and LAX take a bit longer. We just opened SFO up as a reserve domicile, which LAX is also. They have stopped hiring for the time being. I've heard that's because we don't know how effected we will be by delta's cuts. Upgrade had been running just under 2 years for the CRJ in ORD and the EMB in SLC. If hired on today, i'd speculate upgrade would be 3-4 years unless more dramatic growth happens.

October 22nd, 2005, 22:09	#4
kailuaboy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: CLE Posts: 302	I wonder if thats because its close to the end of the year (holiday season). That makes sense to me.

November 1st, 2005, 01:37	#9
difete Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 91	10 planes I heard classess were halted because Delta wanted to fly more out of their own planes in SLC, and this has cut back on Skywest growth out there, plus a combination of schedule changes by united. __________________ There is no easy way out, there is no shortcut home, Giving in can be wrong... (Eddie and the Cruisers)

November 1st, 2005, 01:42	#11
difete Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 91	Thats just what I heard from a couple of captains around. __________________ There is no easy way out, there is no shortcut home, Giving in can be wrong... (Eddie and the Cruisers)

November 1st, 2005, 10:51	#12
viper548 Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 813	I heard DL is taking back SLC-PHX and some other routes that are always full.

November 1st, 2005, 20:06	#14
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 40,430 Blog Entries: 1	Nothing appealing like having a 'lay over' when I don't have to worry about signing off 50% of my 401k and losing my house. TMI, I know! __________________ Doug Taylor http://76school.flyblog.com (old!) http://30west.flyblog.com (updated 11/28)

November 1st, 2005, 21:06	#15
BoDEAN Junior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 284	That's good news =/ I've had my app in there since September. Guess I'll be waiting til 2006 for any info from them. __________________ BoDEAN EMB FO

November 2nd, 2005, 16:58	#17
Lee D Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 596	Viper and the others pretty much summed up what I have heard too. Wait and see what Delta and United do. Until then, few or no new hire classes or transitions. That being said, I am nearly to my one year mark and I don't have any major complaints. I was on reserve for maybe 4 months and since I have been able to hold average to good lines on the Brasilla. The more recent new hires may be on reserve longer because of the current aforementioned lack of movement. Senority and timing.

November 2nd, 2005, 20:41	#18
kailuaboy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: CLE Posts: 302	I appreciate you guys letting me know whats going on. I just got a new student yesturday, he's gonna be a hand full. I have to get his Private Multi, Instrument and Commercial Multi all done in 5 weeks. I think its possible. So, that will keep me busy while I await a call from someone.

November 7th, 2005, 04:31	#19
difete Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 91	Guess I am always right. __________________ There is no easy way out, there is no shortcut home, Giving in can be wrong... (Eddie and the Cruisers)

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