SkyWest Airlines Continues Coast to Coast Expansion

[embdrvr]

keep in mind that the brasilia fully loaded only carries 30 people..and its profitablity has a ceiling..its not cost effective to keep raising the brasilia's pay...i agree it sucks! but they can only be paid so much..first year pay is the same on both planes, and everyone has an opportunity to get off it

Gimme a farking break dude and lay off the crack pipe. The company is one of the most PROFITABLE airlines in the industry. Check the DOT stats regarding net proftis if you don't believe me. They could have easily afforded a token increase to the EMB crowd. We're only talking a few hundred thou. A drop in the bucket for a multi-billion dollar company.

Did you know that CEO pay for all industries increased 16% in 2006 and 30% in 2005? Like all other management teams SKYW management has not endured a 10 year payscale freeze like the Bro drivers have. The T-prop drivers should have been thrown a frciking bone.

If the airplane isn't profitable then park it.
Don't ask the pilots to subsidize the damn thing.

And if your line of thinking is correct why are the FA's that fly the Bro being offered an increase?

Enjoy that kool-aid son. Maybe some day you'll be able to think for yourself.

 

[embdrvr]

i agree it sucks! but they can only be paid so much..first year pay is the same on both planes, and everyone has an opportunity to get off it

Nope dweeb you're the one that sucks. Take off those kneepads and try finding some respect for yourself and the profession.

Do some research. Tell me how many EMB CA's currently working out of any west coast domicile (SAN, PSP, LAX, SBA, SBP, FAT, SFO, PDX) can hold a line or even reserve in the RJ without commuting to a different time zone?

 

[capt. megadeth]

keep in mind that the brasilia fully loaded only carries 30 people..and its profitablity has a ceiling..its not cost effective to keep raising the brasilia's pay...i agree it sucks! but they can only be paid so much..first year pay is the same on both planes, and everyone has an opportunity to get off it

This has got to be the stupidest rationalization for screwing the Bro guys/gals that I have ever seen. I agree you can get off it if you want but get this.....my fiancee took the first available upgrade to get his PIC time and CAN'T GET OFF IT FOR A YEAR! So, what's the excuse now?
LAME - A$$ -OLLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You don't just hang Bro pilots out to dry because "they can get off the airplane". What about when enough people get off the airplane that some can't hold the jet? Then you'll use the seniority excuse?
THAT EXCUSE DOESN'T HOLD WATER AND FOR YOU AS A FELLOW PILOT TO RATIONALIZE IT THAT WAY MAKES ME THINK YOU ARE A PRIME CANDIDATE FOR MANAGEMENT!
LAME EXCUSE!

 

[HelloNewman]

Nope dweeb you're the one that sucks. Take off those kneepads and try finding some respect for yourself and the profession.

Do some research. Tell me how many EMB CA's currently working out of any west coast domicile (SAN, PSP, LAX, SBA, SBP, FAT, SFO, PDX) can hold a line or even reserve in the RJ without commuting to a different time zone?

Now you are just being extreme. Instead of using the same old arguments about the lack of raise think outside of the box for a moment. Horizon, one of the best paid regionals out there pay their Dash 8 captains $77/year to top out. Skywest pays their Brasillia captains $68/hr to top out. The Dash 8 has 37 seats, the Brasillia has 30. Horizon pays their captains $2.08/seat/hr. Therefore based on current payscales horizon would pay $62/hr to top out with a 30 seat turboprop. I would say based on that the turbo prop drivers, based on number of seats are already at or near the top of the industry. Remember most turbo prop airlines fly a saab or a dash 8 which have more seats than the brasillia.

The brasillias usefullness has been tragically cut short due to the FAAs brilliant weight changes. In denver in the summer time the weight restrictions are simply a joke. It simply was not logical to give a major payraise to a dying fleet. Especially when they are already near the top of the industry in that regard. I wish for a raise for the brasillia guys, I do believe they will get one sometime in the next year or two. Perhaps then we will have new turboprops to replace the brosilla. As a whole we are not at the top of the industry with regards to pay nor are we at the bottom of the industry. I prefer to stay under the radar rather than having a huge top of the industry target on all our backs.

As long as we arent top of the industry I believe our jobs and growth chances are safe. The day we stop growing is the day we start dying. The FAs got a raise because of supply and demand. We can not hold on to FAs very long at all. There is still no pilot shortage. When there is a pilot shortage the market will take care of all of us.

 

[embdrvr]

THAT EXCUSE DOESN'T HOLD WATER AND FOR YOU AS A FELLOW PILOT TO RATIONALIZE IT THAT WAY MAKES ME THINK YOU ARE A PRIME CANDIDATE FOR MANAGEMENT!

or SAPA not that there's a huge difference.

 

[capt. megadeth]

The T-prop drivers should have been thrown a frciking bone.

If the airplane isn't profitable then park it.
Don't ask the pilots to subsidize the dang thing.

And if your line of thinking is correct why are the FA's that fly the Bro being offered an increase?

Enjoy that kool-aid son. Maybe some day you'll be able to think for yourself.

1. Amen bro, amen! What would even 1% cost the company?

2. Exactly. They are always packed anyways and you can't fill it up. There are some routes they need to put the frigging RJ on already.

3. Yeah, WTF?

4. Hopefully, or he/she will just be the next company negotiator.

 

[capt. megadeth]

It simply was not logical to give a major payraise to a dying fleet.

OMG, here's another one. He'll be CP soon.

 

[embdrvr]

Now you are just being extreme. Instead of using the same old arguments about the lack of raise think outside of the box for a moment. Horizon, one of the best paid regionals out there pay their Dash 8 captains $77/year to top out. Skywest pays their Brasillia captains $68/hr to top out. The Dash 8 has 37 seats, the Brasillia has 30. Horizon pays their captains $2.08/seat/hr. Therefore based on current payscales horizon would pay $62/hr to top out with a 30 seat turboprop.

So why not apply your line of thinking to the RJ's?
Should an airplane that has 40% more seats, flies faster than a 200, and generates far more revenue offer something other than a tiny override?
Can't have it both ways NewWoman.

 

[embdrvr]

I wish for a raise for the brasillia guys, I do believe they will get one sometime in the next year or two.


There is still no pilot shortage. When there is a pilot shortage the market will take care of all of us.

Some of the EMB guys are already making a raise for themselves. I've heard a few on the radio decline direct routing. I've noticed taxi speeds are slower at some of the hubs. An FO told me some captains that used to push those PL's up a bit when behind schedule are flying the fuel conservation profile at all times.

In case you haven't noticed NewWoman the company can't fill RJ classes. Reportedly they were only able to muster 17 people to fill 70 slots. There is no shortage of pilots but the ones that have desirable qualifications are taking their skills to better paying carriers like QX and X-Jet or taking jobs outside the 121 world.

Did Mommy drop you on your head a few times or were you just born an ignorant puss?

Gotta run now kids. A certain gas guzzling 60's muscle car is in need of a tuneup.

 

[SeeYa]

Gimme a farking break dude and lay off the crack pipe. The company is one of the most PROFITABLE airlines in the industry. Check the DOT stats regarding net proftis if you don't believe me. They could have easily afforded a token increase to the EMB crowd. We're only talking a few hundred thou. A drop in the bucket for a multi-billion dollar company.

Okay, you are an investor with $1M. SkyWest's net profit margin over the last 12 months was 5.00%. The current E-Trade savings account pays 5.05% with ZERO risk. Where would you put your money? A high risk airline, or a ZERO risk savings account?

A "token increase" tips the scales considerably...

SkyWest (or any airline for that matter) is lucky to have the investors they do. They could easily get a higher return elsewhere.

(http://finance.google.com/finance?q=SKYW)

 

[Morning Wood]

I think you're the dumbass for not understanding the post.
There is no "coast to coast" expansion for pilot domiciles/growth.
How many pilots will be added to domiciles like PDX, SFO, FAT, LAX, and PSP for this "coast to coast expansion?"

Don't think the pay deal had something to with the deal? Sounds like you were one of the guys who thought a 1% raise for the 200 good thru 2010 is an accomplishment.

If the flying were for 700's and/or 900's, then yes it would have something to do with the pay vote. Do you honestly think Midwest picked SkyWest solely on the pilot pay? Or were waiting to see how the vote went? You seem to have a real Jones about SkyWest and are looking for any reason to blame their pilots for anything and everything.

 

[HelloNewman]

Some of the EMB guys are already making a raise for themselves. I've heard a few on the radio decline direct routing. I've noticed taxi speeds are slower at some of the hubs. An FO told me some captains that used to push those PL's up a bit when behind schedule are flying the fuel conservation profile at all times.

In case you haven't noticed NewWoman the company can't fill RJ classes. Reportedly they were only able to muster 17 people to fill 70 slots. There is no shortage of pilots but the ones that have desirable qualifications are taking their skills to better paying carriers like QX and X-Jet or taking jobs outside the 121 world.

Did Mommy drop you on your head a few times or were you just born an ignorant puss?

Gotta run now kids. A certain gas guzzling 60's muscle car is in need of a tuneup.

Hmmm going to QX or Xjet or SkyWest lets see how people are doing after 5 years. These numbers were equated using APC payscales, I added 6% to the xjet wages since they get a new raise soon. At horizon you will probably be reserve at least one year if not more. At Xjet and SkyWest I don't think reserve lasts that long. So lets take 3 RJ FOs one that started at SkyWest, one that started at XJet and one that started at horizon and see whos doing best after 5 years.

After 5 years at horizon your wages minus per diem would be about 213,660. This assumes one year reserve at minimum guarantee since I hear reserves don't fly much. 2nd year is assumed at 85 hours. 3rd year-5th is assumed at 90 hours.

After 5 years at xjet your wages would be 248,612. This assumes 85 hrs the first year(mix of reserve and line holder). 90 hours the second year. Upgrade at 3rd year pay and minimum guarantee(2 year upgrade). 4th year at 85 hrs and 5th year at 90 hours.

After 5 years at SkyWest your wages would be around 248,640 minus per diem and minus the bonus. This assumes 1st year pay at 85 hrs, 2nd year pay at 90 hours for the first 6 months and 2nd year capatin pay at guarantee for the last 6 months(18 month RJ upgrade). 3rdyear pay was at minimum guarantee, 4th year was at 85 hours and 5th was at 90 hours.

So who makes the best money again? Note this was computed based on todays circumstances, as always things can change but as of now your best shot is at skywest. Not only do you have a quick upgrade, lots of attrition to move up fast but you also have good pay. Especially when you add in the bonus you do better than those other two "better paying carriers. Then if you happen to be able to move on to a major or something else that has better pay then things worked out really well. Sure the majors aren't hiring like they used to but people still get hired there. Takes a bit longer than it used to. You should always make these type of analysis before decided where your best earning potential really is. As said many times before theres more to it than just the pay rates.

 

[starcheck1]

Especially when you add in the bonus you do better than those other two "better paying carriers.

If you actually did some research you would find that XJT has Profit Sharing that paid 5% last year and probably the same (if not more) this year. ....seems like you are doing a good job of convincing yourself that Skywest is the best in the world and you have superior pay. Get a life.

 

[HelloNewman]

If you actually did some research you would find that XJT has Profit Sharing that paid 5% last year and probably the same (if not more) this year. ....seems like you are doing a good job of convincing yourself that Skywest is the best in the world and you have superior pay. Get a life.

No not superior pay just right up there with everyone else. Notice I didn't include bonus in either one. I'm simply backing up claims using hard data. I have no desire to be an industry leader in pay. Only competitive and right up there with everyone else.

 

[viper548]

If you actually did some research you would find that XJT has Profit Sharing that paid 5% last year and probably the same (if not more) this year. ....seems like you are doing a good job of convincing yourself that Skywest is the best in the world and you have superior pay. Get a life.

You gotta give skywest some credit for having much better bases than xjet