Applying to skywest

[JoeMerchant]

I've told fins this before as well. for some reason, when it comes to skywest his fair and balanced approach goes out the window. sour grapes? I don't know, since he's moved on to DAL -congrats on that! my buddy there wonders why I don't take him up on his offer to push to get me an interview. I'm happy here, hope you're happy there.

I am happy here and I believe Skywest buying ASA was a good thing. I also know Fins and he is a great guy. I believe he is frustrated, as am I, in this silly competition within a brand for flying. However I realize this isn't the fault of the Skywest pilots, and I realize that most of the downward pressure on 700 rates came from other ALPA carriers, and not Skywest.....

I like my schedule and I make enough money to have plenty of toys..... most importantly, I have the time off to enjoy them..... I wouldn't trade that, but I don't fault those who do.....

 

[~~~^~~~]

The fact that Delta was hiring had no motivation for you leaving, right?

This should be about issues, not individuals. But with a successful business there was no pressing need to move on. The RJ is a terrific jet to fly (up front) and the pilots at ASA are a great group to work with.

When SkyWest made threats, the infamous "four doors" memo came out and the last 7 jets were scheduled for transfer (knocking me off the 700 and costing me 11 to 15% in pay) Within the week applications were made to FedEx, Delta, AirTran and CAL. FedEx, Delta and AirTran offered interviews. I went to one interview and was hired. I keep my contacts with the other two open and are grateful for their invitations.

I'm a junior insignificant nobody now just serving customers & co workers - SkyWest pilots need not be concerned about my opinion. But a kid about to invest his time in an airline would be wise to try to obtain the best situational awareness possible since the seniority clock starts the first day of indoc.

 

[No.W.]

You would be incorrect. The majority of pilots are becoming disillusioned with the status quo, however ALPA has failed to prove itself as a worthwhile investment for a regional pilot. You can argue that SkyWest pilots are wrong, but in the end, ALPA hasn't done enough to sell themselves lately.

It may be true that the "Majority" of pilots are disillusioned with ALPA. It may be true that that is why the vote at SkyWest failed. HOWEVER, it is NOT true that ALPA is not doing it's best to "sell" itself within the bounds of truth and positive campaigning. The OC ran an AWESOME campaign here at SkyWest, one I was proud to support with my yes vote. Unfortuneately, a majority of my peers did not feel the same way. Democracy has done it's work...and I don't believe ALPA will be back at SkyWest for another go for a LONG time. It sucks, but it surely isn't ALPA's fault for not putting together an excellent, and professional drive.

 

[~~~^~~~]

No. W.

Why do you think the vote turned out like it did?

 

[SkyNation]

deleted

 

[dbchandler1]

it is NOT true that ALPA is not doing it's best to "sell" itself within the bounds of truth and positive campaigning. The OC ran an AWESOME campaign here at SkyWest, one I was proud to support with my yes vote. Unfortuneately, a majority of my peers did not feel the same way. Democracy has done it's work...and I don't believe ALPA will be back at SkyWest for another go for a LONG time. It sucks, but it surely isn't ALPA's fault for not putting together an excellent, and professional drive.

I think ALPA and the SkyWest OC did an awsome job of campaigning. But unfortunately I don't think that ALPA national has had much success on the regional level lately, I believe that led alot of people to vote no. Also I agree with Duck_Killer that the large number of pilots from "lower tier" ALPA carriers really hurt us.

 

[CFIT]

A: OK, did any of the SkyWest pilots vote against ALPA due to ASA and Comair pilot's lawsuit over the shennanigans at the ALPA 2000 Board of Director's meeting? Did anyone at SkyWest vote against ALPA as a result of Delta CY96 Section One provisions that restricted ASA from 105 to 50 seat jets with limited 70 seaters and subsequent actions that opened RJ flying to the lowest bidder? Can any SkyWest pilot even describe (one word will do) what the RJDC litigation was about?

B: Or did you vote in the hope that SkyWest would get more than the 26 jets already taken from ASA?

Please let us know before Joe's head explodes.

I voted against, like many (obviously), for the above reasons and others. Even the "Eveready bunny of ALPA Rez" has admitted that some substantial restructuring would be required to make ALPA attractive to a large airline that has been non-union for so long. However, to say that SkyWest should not be on the front of a prospective applicants list is not correct. New hire pay will soon be increased quite a bit from what I hear and the new prospects possible with Southwest next summer, not all will agree but SkyWest is still moving forward.

 

[No.W.]

No. W.

Why do you think the vote turned out like it did?

I think it was a combination of what duckkiller said...newhires who are "just happy to be here" and don't understand the stakes AND people who are just too apathetic to pick up the phone and vote...or too ambivalent about the outcome TO vote. Sad, I know, but I believe it's the truth, and that's why I also believe that ALPA is done here for a long time. Why waste time and resources on a group that doesn't want what you are "selling"? It's sad, because I knew those were the stakes, I knew this was effectively our last chance for a long time. BUT(<--BIG BUT) SkyWest is still a great company to work for, BECAUSE the people I work with are second to none. Even the ones who disagree with me on the union point of view. Since my personal circumstances dictate I must remain in my current city, and since commuting is not an option(I'd see my wife even less...which would be never), I am choosing to remain at SkyWest. In a few years, when my wife is finished with her training...we will reevaluate...but at the point I'll have 8 years of seniority. It's going to be tough to leave with that kind of seniority. I say all of that to help bring context to my decision to stay at this company, despite my belief that a union will not be here for a LONG time(if ever).

All that being said, things can change for the worse very quickly...and commuting can easily become an option in that situation. Delta would be an option, but I'd probably be out east somewhere for a considerable amount of time.

 

[Gandalf]

I voted against, like many (obviously), for the above reasons and others. Even the "Eveready bunny of ALPA Rez" has admitted that some substantial restructuring would be required to make ALPA attractive to a large airline that has been non-union for so long. However, to say that SkyWest should not be on the front of a prospective applicants list is not correct. New hire pay will soon be increased quite a bit from what I hear and the new prospects possible with Southwest next summer, not all will agree but SkyWest is still moving forward.

Yes, that's what we need more of. More whoring.

 

[dbchandler1]

Yes, that's what we need more of. More whoring.

Isn't that from Tommy Boy