There are arguments to be made whether Skywest is thee best regional. The fact you don't have an enforceable contract is probably the best argument against it. My point is that you guys/gals can make it where it is undisputed that Skywest is THEE best regional to work for.
I'm not suggesting you will do it first shot right out of the box. But with the balance sheet Skywest Inc. has, the ASA TA, the help from ALPA National's Bargaining Committee and Financial Analysis Department, together with the apperant fair relationship you have with management, there is nothing to say you can't have an industry leading contract right out of the box. But even if its not, you will get a contract that is enforceable and better than the wages and terms of employment you have now. Your rookie MEC will not be short of assets and bargaining leverage to deliver something better than what you have now. And THAT is the point. You can make things a whole lot better there that some people don't even realize it.
As far as comparisons go, what you say may be true. But not everyone is in it for the money, or the upgrade, or the jet time, retirement funds, etc. Different strokes for different folks. And you guys can make it so that the guy who wants to get his PIC time and move on is happy and the guy who is there to make it a career is happy. We have that at XJT. We have good work rules, good wages, a retirement fund, relatively quick upgrades, we are NOT losing airplanes but rather increasing the amount of flying we do.
Many of these things are because we have a good relationship with management. We have given leeway in things so they can work out their business plans and we get something in return for them. Both sides understands the give and take and we both use it as a win win situation. We do have a good relationship. We get briefed constantly on business plans and we brief them on things that can be done better and how the pilots can help achieve that. Basically, the two sides trust each other to a certain extent.
I'm not a Skywest hater. On the contrary, I like you guys. I have many many friends there. And some that will make it a career there. That is why I'm posting in here.
Oh yeah, I'm very happy here. It was actually choice 3 out of 3 for regionals. But now I'm glad this is where I am instead of the other two places.