Skybus ends service to San Diego, Bellingham, reduces service to Burbank

[Guitar Guy]

How many startups have what Kit Darbey calls the two most important ingredients for success..

Good ol' stab-em-in-the-back Kit Darby (it's "Darby" not "Darbey"). He'll say anything about anyone depending on who's paying him.

 

[PCL_128]

Just when I thought his rants couldn't get any funnier, he starts quoting Kit Darby. Absolutely classic!!!

 

[Shrek]

just curious, who said anything about Check Airman pay? I don't even know what it is and I'm a newhire. You know something I don't?

Line captains are making $85-90 as 1st year CA's.. so I don't see how a Check can make any less..

You are surprised by this?!!

As for checkairman pay........this was quoted to him before he joined the Ranger ranks. Since SkyBus is so established and all I am sure it is BIG BUX now.....

 

[skiandsurf]

just curious, who said anything about Check Airman pay? I don't even know what it is and I'm a newhire. You know something I don't?

Line captains are making $85-90 as 1st year CA's.. so I don't see how a Check can make any less..

You might want to verify your numbers. My friend is a captain at Skybus, and was complaining that the Nov schedules are minimum hours, and that he would not make any overtime, but instead the $65,000 base pay (divided by 12).

 

[HA25]

You might want to verify your numbers. My friend is a captain at Skybus, and was complaining that the Nov schedules are minimum hours, and that he would not make any overtime, but instead the $65,000 base pay (divided by 12).

http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/major-national-lcc/skybus.html

 

[Shrek]

You might want to verify your numbers. My friend is a captain at Skybus, and was complaining that the Nov schedules are minimum hours, and that he would not make any overtime, but instead the $65,000 base pay (divided by 12).

Sorry bud.........

 

[skiandsurf]

http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/major-national-lcc/skybus.html

Yeah, I was right.....again.

Starting captains pay at $65,000. Average captains pay $8*,***. But the base pay is $65,000. When they build a high block line, you will make more. But when they build a low block line, you get the base pay.

Without looking again, base FO pay was $30,000 ??.

 

[skiandsurf]

Sorry bud.........

I know, I told him not to go there. But he didnt listen to me.

 

[Nindiri]

What kind of numbers/background are they looking at for hiring mins, FMS?

 

[Shrek]

What kind of numbers/background are they looking at for hiring mins, FMS?

Another tool that just can't wait to undercut the industry.........wonderful!!!!uke:

 

[Nindiri]

Such a negative response for a simple question.

 

[Buddro]

What kind of numbers/background are they looking at for hiring mins, FMS?

If you have 10,000 hours as your profile states, you should have nothing to worry about...

 

[lazy8s]

....Who would have thought ValueJet would be one of the best paying airlines today?

Go on, keep bashing Skybus, it will only make their success that much more sweet.

What are you smoking? ValueJet one of the best paying airlines today????? Not even close!

'Critter 123 cleared fot T/O'

 

[PadFull'oTrim]

Is your version of quality of life flying for dirt a billboard and having your passengers irritated the entire flight to purchase useless things? I hope your dog dies??? Good one; my 2nd grade cousin could come up with that. Oh yeah, you are flying that big bad Airbus though...you have that going for you...get real man

Your 2nd grade cousin has a library of good ones like that!! HA!

And she's a little hottie to boot!

 

[PadFull'oTrim]

... and I will revel in the day when you and your pears here are coming in for an interview and I somehow garner that ....

Skybus is hiring Pears?? Sweet!! I have a whole tree full of Pears that need to be making me some $$$$ Where do they apply?

 

[HA25]

What are you smoking? ValueJet one of the best paying airlines today????? Not even close!

'Critter 123 cleared fot T/O'

So help me out there Einstein, what's Northwest pay on a DC9 or DAL on an MD80, vs AirTran's 717 rate for domestic?

You're right, ValueJet aka AirTran pays more..

 

[HA25]

Yeah, I was right.....again.

Starting captains pay at $65,000. Average captains pay $8*,***. But the base pay is $65,000. When they build a high block line, you will make more. But when they build a low block line, you get the base pay.

Without looking again, base FO pay was $30,000 ??.

just as guarantee at UAL for a 2nd year CA is $101,000.. but we all know that workrules and such make that closer to $125,000.. Skybus as a startup is paying better than Jet Blue did.. Most lines this month are between 14 and 16 days off (some 17) and block at 90+ with 1/2 pay dead heads on some that take them to 110 credit hours or about $90K And because of the efficiency of how the aircraft are turned (usually 25min or so) you don't take up a 14+ hour duty day getting these hours. Typical duty days are 8-10 hours max... now pick up a bit of OT (not my cup of tea, but some love it), and you're well close to $100K and you're still home more hours than if you're at 90% of the other airline jobs..

There is a $$ in terms of QOL for being home everyn night.. I mean if that $1.50-$2.00/hr in perdiem is that important to you, you need to re-asses your finances.

 

[ualdriver]

FMS, you need to get your facts straight if you're trying to defend those pathetic Skybus "but I get to be home every night" rates.

First of all, you're taking UAL 2nd year Airbus Captain guarantee (65 hours) and comparing it to 90+ hours of Skybus Captain pay and saying, "gee look guys, it's not that bad."

Second of all, we' don't have 2 year Captains at United, and if we did, those rates would be higher. No union MEC in their right mind is going waste valuable negotiating capital trying to up 1st and 2nd year Captain rates when there's not a very low probability of anyone on the property even seeing those rates.

Third of all, you're comparing your rates to a once-bankrupt airline operating under an extremely concessionary post-bankruptcy contract. You may as well compare your rates to JetBlue's! Oh wait.....


just as guarantee at UAL for a 2nd year CA is $101,000.. but we all know that workrules and such make that closer to $125,000..

No Airbus Captain at UAL is pulling guarantee. Try an average of 80 hours a month- and I'm being conservative. That $139,000 of pre-tax dollars, per month, including the 15% B and C fund (adjusted for pre-tax dollars for a UAL pilot in the 25% tax bracket). And if you're a guy like me, good health insurance that costs me ZERO dollars per month for my family.

Skybus as a startup is paying better than Jet Blue did..

Actually, no it isn't. And JetBlue start-up pay was in dollars demoniated in the early 00's. Maybe compared to 1970 Braniff pay rates Skybus pay isn't bad? Adjusted for inflation and compared to JetBlue start-up pay, Skybus compensation is a joke. In fact, anyone trying to compare themselves to JetBlue pay in order to show some sort of industry standard is a joke.


Most lines this month are between 14 and 16 days off (some 17) and block at 90+ with 1/2 pay dead heads on some that take them to 110 credit hours or about $90K And because of the efficiency of how the aircraft are turned (usually 25min or so) you don't take up a 14+ hour duty day getting these hours. Typical duty days are 8-10 hours max... now pick up a bit of OT (not my cup of tea, but some love it), and you're well close to $100K and you're still home more hours than if you're at 90% of the other airline jobs..

Work 110 credit hours per month at UAL as a 2nd year Airbus Captain (which is possible if you're a total whore), and including the B&C fund you would make $191,664 in pre-tax dollars vs. "close to $100K" at Skybus. Wow! For $100,000/year less, I get to be home every night!!! Or, you could bust your ass for 10 years, invest wisely, and use that $100K a year to invest in your retirement, and have around a million dollars at the end of that 10 years sitting in your IRA, 401K, etc. With that kind of bank, you can perhaps retire early and spend FAR more time at home with your familly in early retirement then some Skybus Captain dude still busting his a** trying to make it on $68.42/hr.

Oh yeah, I forgot about those Skybus stock options. You guys are already pulling out of your two most promising cities but I'm sure they'll be very valuable someday.

 

[HA25]

First of all, you're taking UAL 2nd year Airbus Captain guarantee (65 hours) and comparing it to 90+ hours of Skybus Captain pay and saying, "gee look guys, it's not that bad."

I never said it was as good as UAL, just that it's not as bad as some claim... The difference is UAL is making 100's of millions while Skybus is currently loosing money. It's hard to ask for a raise when you've just open up the shop and are loosing money.. what's your excuse? And more importantly why did your membership vote in such DEEP cuts that made it so that a start up has to pay so pathetically to get a foot in?

Second of all, we' don't have 2 year Captains at United, and if we did, those rates would be higher. No union MEC in their right mind is going waste valuable negotiating capital trying to up 1st and 2nd year Captain rates when there's not a very low probability of anyone on the property even seeing those rates.

CA or FO, for me what matters is what's on my W2.. and as a 2nd year "pilot" there I'll make more than my friend who's a 4th year pilot at UAL.

In due time as profits come in, Skybus will pay more market wages, but for now, I live and feed my family in the present.

Third of all, you're comparing your rates to a once-bankrupt airline operating under an extremely concessionary post-bankruptcy contract. You may as well compare your rates to JetBlue's! Oh wait.....

deny it all you want (we can discuss inflation in another thread), but the fact is, Skybus pays better than Jetblue did as a start up with far better work rules. We get a minimum of 12 days off a month, how much did B6, heck! How much do you???

.. only now has Jetblue come up. But with their work rules, I'm pretty sure a B6 captain makes about what a UAL captain makes on the Bus, again, you voted in those cuts, don't blame me (or Skybus) which didn't even exist then. You've set the tone for the wages I have to accept entering into a startup, since you're the top of the food chain, king of the hill , big wig, or what ever you think of yourself.

No Airbus Captain at UAL is pulling guarantee. Try an average of 80 hours a month- and I'm being conservative. That $139,000 of pre-tax dollars, per month, including the 15% B and C fund (adjusted for pre-tax dollars for a UAL pilot in the 25% tax bracket). And if you're a guy like me, good health insurance that costs me ZERO dollars per month for my family.

If Skybus is profitable, I'll get 5500 shares at a $5 strike price that can be worth millions, but at a minimum of sever hundred thousand.. And unlike your Pentions, nobody can take it away, and I don't the the Federal Government to guarantee it.

Work 110 credit hours per month at UAL as a 2nd year Airbus Captain (which is possible if you're a total whore), and including the B&C fund you would make $191,664 in pre-tax dollars vs. "close to $100K" at Skybus. Wow! For $100,000/year less, I get to be home every night!!! Or, you could bust your ass for 10 years, invest wisely, and use that $100K a year to invest in your retirement, and have around a million dollars at the end of that 10 years sitting in your IRA, 401K, etc. With that kind of bank, you can perhaps retire early and spend FAR more time at home with your familly in early retirement then some Skybus Captain dude still busting his a** trying to make it on $68.42/hr.

You don't need to work 110 hours to credit 110 at Skybus.. you simply work a couple of west coast turns and fly an average of 6 hours a day on a 15 day work week.. and sit in the back on 4-5 deadheads earning 2+ hours for every west coast return.. The IMPORTANT thing is unlike you with your 400+ hours away from home, I'm gone 150 to get paid my 110 hours.

Oh yeah, I forgot about those Skybus stock options. You guys are already pulling out of your two most promising cities but I'm sure they'll be very valuable someday.

Ryanair, which flies to as you call it "valuable" cities also has a market cap bigger than UAL and Southwest combined.. That's where the income lies, yes.. stock options and profit share. Sorry you can't see it.

 

[ualdriver]

I give up. I hope that these new breed of ultra low cost LCC's with their ultra low cost discount airline pilots go out of business before they permanently damage the industry YET AGAIN.