Does flying a big plane make you a "Majors" pilot?

[siucavflight]

So today waiting out a delay at CMH I am sitting down eating lunch, and the pilot next to me who worked for Skybus struck up a conversation. I do not really know much about Skybus, and he filled me in. Low pay, but stock options, that is why he was there, whatever I think not my problem.
Then he ask me about flying for Eagle, I tell him that I am happy and as far as regionals go I can not think of any place I would rather work, and also that I am considering a move to Netjets. He then goes on to tell me how I should consider coming to Skybus, they may not pay a lot but at least I get to fly at a major airline. I asked him why he thinks of Skybus as a major, and his response was "because we have big planes" I smiled and said that I dont think that I would like living in CMH.
Do you guys consider Skybus a major airline? I know they fly larger planes then the RJs that I fly, but in chosing between Eagle and Skybus, hands down Eagle for me.

 

[Lake Alice]

His response is indicative of where he works. A major airline designation is solely based on a government statistic of revenue exceeding more than 1 billion dollars and not due to aircraft you fly. And if you are thinking of NetJets or Skybus defiantely go to NetJets

 

[hoover]

Ironically, I believe American Eagle is a major based on the DOT definition. Congratulations on working for a major!

 

[GuppyWN]

When you don't pay pilots enough to buy groceries you get pilots that either aren't employable elsewhere or pilots that are extremely naive.

Sounds like this guy was very inexperienced. Also sounds like Skybus is already planning their exit based on news clips. Bellingham, Burbank and San Diego are going away because of "high fuel prices."

Just my .02,
Gup

 

[Indy refugee]

Also sounds like Skybus is already planning their exit based on news clips. Bellingham, Burbank and San Diego are going away because of "high fuel prices."

Just my .02,
Gup

As you can tell from my screen name, I've already seen this movie. It started exactly the same way at Indy, "Fuel prices makes transcon too expensive, so we're ending service we just started", followed by more service reductions, followed by order deferrals and finally 11 and 7.

I wonder if the guys who are there from Indy recognize it. Or do they think Rocky wins in Rocky 2!!

 

[luckytohaveajob]

major may be defined by DOT figures but a pilot needs to define a major by an industry leading contract.

swa is a major by dot specs and contract standards. until the contract measures up it just another crap operator pissing in the wind.

 

[Diesel]

he was probably trying to figure out how to get a rec from you when skybus goes under.

Stock options? You're basing your financial future on stock options?

Trust me he's the idiot.

 

[UAL-GSO]

He then goes on to tell me how I should consider coming to Skybus, they may not pay a lot but at least I get to fly at a major airline. I asked him why he thinks of Skybus as a major, and his response was "because we have big planes"

He probably wears his uniform to the mall, too.

 

[siucavflight]

He probably wears his uniform to the mall, too.

Have you seen these uniforms? If he wore it to the mall he may be mistaken for a member of the German army.

 

[JJET44]

As you can tell from my screen name, I've already seen this movie. It started exactly the same way at Indy, "Fuel prices makes transcon too expensive, so we're ending service we just started", followed by more service reductions, followed by order deferrals and finally 11 and 7.

I wonder if the guys who are there from Indy recognize it. Or do they think Rocky wins in Rocky 2!!

I was thinking the same thing!!
I'd hate to be those ex-indy guys who left Netjets to go to Skybust!

 

[JetMidway]

Skybus a major?

That's like calling a Suzuki Samurai a Jeep. :laugh:

 

[landlover]

I wonder if the guys who are there from Indy recognize it. Or do they think Rocky wins in Rocky 2!!

this is awesome!

 

[LearLove]

Have you seen these uniforms? If he wore it to the mall he may be mistaken for a member of the German army.

yeah - those things look like they crossed aerocrombe&fitch with the local boys military academy.

 

[Lear70]

One could argue that Virgin America will likely someday qualify as a major, but I always doubted the long-term viability of Skybus (not to mention their pay).

So much so, that even faced with needing another job, I didn't even bother to apply to Skybus but, rather, went back to flying cargo Learjet charter while applying other places...

Definitely NOT a major... guy is having identity issues evidently.

 

[dooork]

When you don't pay pilots enough to buy groceries you get pilots that either aren't employable elsewhere or pilots that are extremely naive.

Sounds like this guy was very inexperienced. Also sounds like Skybus is already planning their exit based on news clips. Bellingham, Burbank and San Diego are going away because of "high fuel prices."

Just my .02,
Gup

Yea..SW has always been the big man on campus!!
Go learn your roots.