Questions for Skyway pilots

[FlightTraker]

Was called for an interview the other day. Would just like some info. Guarantee, avg hrs a month, reserve, pay during training ..etc..etc. I know it isn't the top of the world, but can't be any worse than where I am at now. I live in WI, and commute to NY. Any info would help. Thanks in advance. Feel free to PM me.


Flighttraker

 

[Kansan]

Quick and dirty reply

Skyway info:

Mins 700TT, 50ME
75 hr garantee
F.O. pay starts at 17.57
Pay starts from day one of training.
They don't put you in a hotel though, thats up to you.
Inital ground is one month with eight days in a flightsafety level D to follow. If you have Beech experience, we are looking for both ground instructors and sim instructors.
401k is available, but I'm to poor to contribute.
15 Be1900Ds and 10 DO328jets
We are very short on pilots, Average lines are 78 hours, very short on reserve pilots, new guys right now are holding lines. We are an ALPA carrier with a new contract, we are taking consessions right now, but that goes away in Aug. 04. Great group of pilots. Upgrade is happening, but its hard to say when. Lots of our Beech captains (and jet) are leaving for bigger and better things. We are very short staffed and training is behind the power curve. With that said you'll be flying before you now it. Let me know if you want anything more specific.

 

[metroplex]

skyway is really not a bad place. yes, some always complain, they will cry like little girls at any other company.
the rates(pay) are not industry leading but as mentioned, they only have 25 planes and the largest has 32 seats, so, you will not see any 50 seat pay rates, makes sense?
the pilot group is really great, management is ok. the D.O is great. training is very good and all instructors are good and extremely helpful.
yes they are short on pilots, but if people leave, you will move up.
just can't believe they go to air wisconsin/comair after being here 3! years and they are going to sit atleast 4-5 years right seat at those companies.everybody got spoiled before 9/11, 18 months until upgrade (1900), some upgraded in 30 months into the left seat of the 328. unfortunately everything slowed down and now it just takes a little longer, patience.....

 

[greyhound]

Just curious...

Where is the training held?
How long?

Do they actually hire with 700 TT?
Degree req.??

 

[jobear]

Ground training here in for both A/C
Sims for Beech New York or Toronto,Sim for DOjet Dallas or Dulles

1 week indoc then I think a month of Systems and CPT training.

No Idea on times but I would say more than 700TT but hey we do need pilots,so send it in. We also have hired furloughed pilots from DAL and UAL I don't believe they had to give up their senority numbers.

Jobear

 

[FlightTraker]

Thanks for the info. Where do most people stay during training? Any info on the interview? written test, sim?


FlightTraker

 

[chperplt]

Good luck at the interview!!!

How's life been??

 

[Edward Summer]

Not mentioning any names here...


Ok, here's my strory...

July 2001 I was gratefully hired into a regional at low time. Three days into indoc I had a family emergency and needed to leave class (also encouraged to do so by HR).

Upon leaving, I was informed that I needed to give up my seniority number and that I would be granted a leave of abscence till Sept 1st, 2001. Regional X also had many upcoming class dates - Sept 2001 and Nov 2001. I opted to return for a Nov 2001 class, thus I returned the offer letter for that class. Prior to 9/11, Regional X informed me that they over-hired and now the Nov 01 class would be in January. I was ok with that and would wait my turn.

9/11 then occurred, however Regional X still convened their Sept 17th class which then was furloughed one day later.

So, the two years go by and I did some instructing here and there and flew part 135 to gain about 300+ more hours than I had when I was hired - not much but at least I flew.

During that time, I kept in touch with the folks from HR and told them I was anxious to return. I updated my resume as time went on, and was told both good and bad.

Then, this past August I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. I was asked to fill out an application again and I was asked back for an interview!!! I spoke with a buddy of mine who flies for them and he just thought it was just a formality - anyhow I studied my face off and was prepared for just about anything.
*Regional X took back the 18 or so furloughed folks from Sept 2001 and were hiring a few more bodies for this class date.

Interview day came quickly and I was interviewed by the CP, Dir of Training, Dir of HR, and another gentleman from the training dept. The interview basically covered my past two years and a bunch of scenarios. Not really technical, but decision making and judgement issues. I left the interview not feeling too great - but not feeling too bad. I did think I had my job back, and yes I was ready to take a 50% pay cut (from my current non-flying job).

So, when judgment day came, I was informed that I did'nt make the cut and that I could re-apply in 6 months. A phone call to the Chief the next day allowed me to be told that it's company policy that they cannot comment on interviews after the fact but that competition "is fierce."

I know that competition is fierce, but what about the 18 furloughed pilots from Sept 17th, 2001 - are they current? I'm sure they all didn't all go out and find flying jobs! No, I am not harping on them whatsoever (they deserved their jobs back too), but my point is this - they had recal rights and since I didn't, I lost out on what I worked so hard to achieve.

So, this leaves me feeling a little betrayed and let down. I know that there are no guarantees in life, but what a disapointment. I'd appreciate any comments.

Thanks!
Ed

 

[fastbird]

Skyway

Yes you can get a job at Skyway with 700TT and 50ME. they are desparate for pilots and want young CFI's to apply.

Skyway Airlines
1190 W. Rawson Ave.
Oak Creek, WI 53154

Here's the prep info:

1. Be ready for an interview with NO Notice! Be up on FAR's, reading a Jepp plate, etc. They have called people on Monday for an interview on Wednesday.

2. Be ready to take a 100 question written based on the Commercial Pilot exam with some IFR knowledge tossed in for good measure.

3. Interview is via the panel type. No surprises but be ready to answer standard questions about what you fly, where, and why Skyway.

4. Sim is in a Frasca 142. Simple take off to a full ILS with PT to a missed approach and vectors to a hold. Enter the hold correctly and get established then the ride is complete.

Once hired:
Pay starts on day one of training, but they don't cover the cost of lodging until you go to the initial simulator training. MKE is the domicile so they don't have to pay your lodging there. Many folks stay at the Red Roof not far from HQ for about $28 a night. Figure one month for Indoc and Ground School.

15 Be1900D's and 10 Do328JET's: plan to start in the Beech.

Starting Pay: $17 bucks an hour while in concessions, those should end Aug 2004 and pay will increase plus $1.20 hourly per diem kicks in.

 

[ILLINI]

Just to update fastbird's information.

Skyway no longer has a written test or simulator evaluation. They stopped doing that a couple years ago. Lots of guys moving on to other regionals like Air Wisconsin and also to ATA and Air Tran so there is a good amount of movement due to attrition. It's been about two years since Skyway was interviewing last, so current informaion on the interview process may be hard to come by. Make sure you let us know what it's like when you are done!

Kansan has good information in his/her post. If you get hired and get a class date you may also want to look into trying to find a crash pad before starting class or maybe starting one with the people in your class. It could be cheaper than staying in a hotel for a little more than a month. I guess we are hiring people into a hiring pool now which wasn't the case when I was hired so I don't know how that works. But there is a class in progress right now and there is another one slated for January. Not sure about class dates after that though.

Good luck with your interview!

 

[inthepool]

Does Skyway have a website? I'm a CFIer in ACA's pool, but not exactly holding my breath for that to come around anytime soon. I'd be thrilled to get on with Skyway. Anybody have some more constructive critisism?

 

[fastbird]

Skyway

No website for applying.

You have to do it the old fashion way, via snail mail.

Send them a resume and cover letter and request an app.

Skyway Airlines
1190 W. Rawson Ave.
Oak Creek, WI 53154

Or, call for an app.
414-570-2300

 

[inthepool]

Thanx for the info fastbird. Is there a website with general company info? Routes, bases, etc?

 

[ILLINI]

inthepool-

If you go to Midwest Airlines, there is a link for Midwest Connect under the "About YX" tab at the top of the page.

It's not that much, but it does have info on their fleet and history.

For info on where we fly click on the "Where We Fly" link under the "Travel Planning" tab on the Midwest home page. There is a map for Midwest Connect that you can check out there.

Hope this helps!

 

[8HourPilot]

Hey can anyone actually confirm any hiring with anyone near the min's published?

 

[tk855]

I have a friend who is currently in class at Skyway as we speak. According to him, the lowest time in his class is around 1000tt and 150 multi. I have the exact same time, sent in 3 resumes and the application, emailed hr and chief pilot and heard nothing as of today! My friend tells me that hr moves slow around there. Good luck to all.

tk

 

[Freightdog75]

I've had a resume on file with Skyway since 07/02(updating every 6 months of course). No call or anything yet. On the other hand a buddy of mine went to an interview there about a month and a half ago and did not get the job...........who knows. It just kinda sucks I can't get a whisper out of those boys and I live 5 minutes away from their headquarters on Rawson ave. Oh well..........

FD75

 

[jobear]

They are recieving stacks of resumes currently I was at HQ last week and I saw some that were faxed over, another option?
Not sure of the Fax number but you can call HQ at 414/570-2300 and ask if it OK to fax and they can give you the phone number.
Also I'm pretty sure they aren't doing the Frasca sim anymore but not 100% on that, I'll ask one of the Training Dept. guys today.

Good luck to all that apply.

JoBear

 

[fastbird]

Skyway

FreightDog,

You must know someone who works for SYX that could walk in or talk up your app. with the CP.

Networking dude, it doesn't hurt.

 

[Birddog]

skyway is really not a bad place. yes, some always complain, they will cry like little girls at any other company.
the rates(pay) are not industry leading but as mentioned, they only have 25 planes and the largest has 32 seats, so, you will not see any 50 seat pay rates, makes sense?
the pilot group is really great, management is ok. the D.O is great. training is very good and all instructors are good and extremely helpful.
yes they are short on pilots, but if people leave, you will move up.
just can't believe they go to air wisconsin/comair after being here 3! years and they are going to sit atleast 4-5 years right seat at those companies.everybody got spoiled before 9/11, 18 months until upgrade (1900), some upgraded in 30 months into the left seat of the 328. unfortunately everything slowed down and now it just takes a little longer, patience.....

I agree its not a bad place. You learn a lot there, and the pilot group is second to none. Don't be too hard on the folks that choose to leave, though. It is not unreasonable to want your take home pay to exceed 18K after a 2-3 years. With no realistic possibility of upgrade in sight, some of us chose to do something instead of sitting around ops, b!tching about pay. SYX is a good stepping stone, and good luck to those there.