PSA or Skywest

[Stifler's Mom]

Go to SKW. You have 1700 ASA pilots and even more than that at Express Jet below you when it comes time to furlough.

 

[dodgerk]

Are you middle of FO reserve at SKY or PSA?

SKY SLC based.

 

[WayBack]

SkyWest all the way.
Regional life sucks anywhere you go, but it really sucks when you have to pay ALPA to bend you over the coals.

 

[DHPFLYN]

How are the brasilia lines on the west coast?

 

[wrxpilot]

How are the brasilia lines on the west coast?

What would you like to know about them? I usually fly 4 four day trips/mo, for about 85 hrs of credit. You can get higher paying trips, but I like easy PMs.

Overnights are usually pretty good, particularly SBP, SBA, and MRY. But really, none of them are bad... Some people don't like IYK, but I have fun if the crew is cool.

There is a possibility of flying up to 8 legs/day on some trips, which makes for a long day. But I've only had to do that once, and it was a very high paying trip. Most trips average 2-6 legs/day, and the duty periods are usually 8-12 hours. This is all for KFAT... The other bases are probably different.

 

[paddlehigh]

ouch ouch ouch

 

[rickair7777]

Skywest, if you want to spend your time in the Cali.

If you can get on the Bro, you will pretty much be guaranteed an easy commute in cali and an LAX domicile before too long. Worst case is drive to FAT. Downside is lower pay after the first year.

If end up on the CRJ (you might not have a choice with previous turbine time) you will probably start in IAH or ORD, maybe COS. As long as there is movement you will be able to come west pretty quickly, but if the music stops you could get stuck out east...still no worse than PSA though.

I'd probably go for the Bro if they let you. 99.9% guaranteed California, then after one year re-evaluate and jump to the jet if that makes sense.

 

[rickair7777]

SkyWest all the way.
Regional life sucks anywhere you go, but it really sucks when you have to pay ALPA to bend you over the coals.

Technically, alpa just holds you legs while management bends you over. You just have to tip them for the service.

 

[Maria]

Which bases operate the -900s?

 

[SSDD]

Technically, the 900s are based in SLC, but as the planes and pilots flow through the system, there is a chance to fly them if you like. Skywest doesn't defferentiate between RJ models. There is a base pay for the 200 with different overrides for the 700 and the 900.

 

[wrxpilot]

If end up on the CRJ (you might not have a choice with previous turbine time) you will probably start in IAH or ORD, maybe COS. As long as there is movement you will be able to come west pretty quickly, but if the music stops you could get stuck out east...still no worse than PSA though.

That's not necessarily true rickair... Despite my previous turbine time I was given a chose between the two, but chose the Bro for better seniority. About half the people in my class had previous turbine time, including a previous 121 pilot with CRJ time.

 

[ROSWELL41]

Upgrade on the EMB at SkyWest is running closer to five years, not four years.

 

[Bus-Driver]

Not true. I am barely over 5 years and capt on the CRJ. I was capt on the Bro for over four years. Yep, I was in upgrade before a year was up, but that's simply timing. Timing is everything (and a lot of luck). That's why when they give you a choice on aircraft, take the first class you can get, it's amazing how much difference a few weeks of seniority can make. Crap, I was at the back of the class and there are people from the front of my same class with a very different QOL. The guys that got hired just before the music stopped a few years ago have been hosed, but now that the music is going again, those upgrade times are going to come back down.

 

[airchristyle]

Not true. I am barely over 5 years and capt on the CRJ. I was capt on the Bro for over four years. Yep, I was in upgrade before a year was up, but that's simply timing. Timing is everything (and a lot of luck). That's why when they give you a choice on aircraft, take the first class you can get, it's amazing how much difference a few weeks of seniority can make. Crap, I was at the back of the class and there are people from the front of my same class with a very different QOL. The guys that got hired just before the music stopped a few years ago have been hosed, but now that the music is going again, those upgrade times are going to come back down.

What he said

 

[Maria]

So for a FNG, are upgrades supposed to be faster at PSA or SKY? My date at SKY just got pushed back, so both companies are pretending to hire me, then not. I am really not feeling the love, guess it is prep for working for them.

 

[ROSWELL41]

Don't come to SkyWest expecting a quick upgrade (which depends on your definition). Most upgrades are going to be because of attrition as the fast growth mode for most regionals is over. SkyWest is over 3100 pilots now and the reason some pilots got a quick upgrade on the Brasilia was because many pilots senior to them did not have the required 2500TT and 1000 crew time to upgrade. This is no longer the case and there are probably 1200+ pilots ahead of you waiting for the upgrade. If I were to wager a guess, I would say 4+ years at least for a Brasilia upgrade for a new hire today.

 

[Bus-Driver]

It doesn't appear the growth is over. There is new flying being added in January as well as more on the horizon. Also, with the new rest requirements in the final stages, more pilots (including captains) are going to be required and skywest is hiring in anticipation o this. Third, attrition is already high and expected to increase significantly over the next 2 years. So, I believe your forecast of 4 years for new-hires today is very short sighted. I don't know what it'll be, but I expect upgrades times to be relatively short very soon. Of course, economy and terrorism issues can change everything in a heartbeat.

 

[1x1]

Bus,

just trying to figure your timeline with OO, and your CRJ CA status. When did you get the upgrade on the jet? I have been here JUST over 5 years as well, and still S.O.L. on the upgrade.

 

[Bus-Driver]

Started rj class in June. Was hired in may of 06 and in bro class for upgrade in may of 07. Quality of life sucks though. Good luck whatever you choose.

 

[1x1]

sept 06. there's yur sign....