Should I be a Skywest Ramp Rat?

[MarineGrunt]

I'm a CFI in WI, but I need to move to UT soon for a KC135 slot. The only problem is I won't be doing anything except paperwork up there for the next year. So even though I have to be there, I don't have a job.

So, my question is this:

I noticed that Skywest is looking for ramp agents in SLC. There are several pilots in my unit that have connections in that airline and can try to get me hired when I get the minimum time. Being a ramp rat seems like it would be an added plus to getting my foot in the door.

Does anyone know how much (or rather how little) these positions pay? Anyone have experience doing this? Is this a good idea/bad idea? I'd appreciate your input.

 

[JJJ]

I would do it. There are tons of pilots that have been hired off the ramp.

You can usually tell the rampers that want to get to the cockpit. There are the ones that are busting their hump. There are waiting to marshal you in when you get to the gate, not inside playing cards. Give them a bug wash, even if they don't ask for it. These things will go a long way.

Also try and learn their names also, and when you see them say say hello. This is another thing that will get you noticed. Don't kiss a$$ though. After a while you can start asking about current hiring, what times they are hiring with, etc. There is a chance that eventually someone will offer to write you a letter of recomendation.

The ramp is an excellent way to learn some of the operational side of the airline.

Good luck.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Do it...bust your ass...and they will remember you when you apply for a flying position.

There are many of us that have worked other jobs in airlines that are now pilots.

Even if it is not Skywest, it doesn't hurt to have a diversified background with other airlines. It will better help you understand all the different things that must happen to make an airline run.

 

[MarineGrunt]

Anyone have an idea yet on what the job might pay? My wife and I need to bring in a combined income of at least $22/hr to make it and she has yet to find a job in UT...

Does anyone think that my job will be effected by my required military training? This summer, I have to attend six weeks of officer training and in about a year, I will have to attend 12 months of flight training for the Guard. I know the 12 months will most likely be a problem, but at least after that time I will have the requirements for flying with SkyWest...

Thanks for the help so far!

 

[SkyWestCRJPilot]

I have to disagree. A friend of mine worked the ramp for SkyWest for a year before being hired on as a pilot this past summer. He saw many of his CFI friends get hired on before him, just because of chance. He told me working the ramp helped a little to understand about the company and the industry but it didn't help at all in getting the interview. Lots of people think it's a way to "get your food in the door" but I don't think it really helps at all. They get paid $9-10/hr I think. The only advantage I can see is that you'll get a seniority number for nonreving sooner than anyone else in your future pilot class. I'd get a job as a CFI and build up your hours faster and that will help you get the job with SkyWest sooner. Your KC-135 flying will help the most but you may take a while to build your total flight time up so I'd get a job as a CFI instead of as a SkyWest ramper.

 

[GuppyPuppy]

I think CRJPilot is correct in that the rampers in SLC make between $9 and $10/hr.

If you think about it, you'll have to take a paycut when you become a pilot for SW!!!

If you work full time at $9/hr and 40 hours per week for 12 months you will make $18,270.

If you get hired on as a pilot you will make $19.02/hr. At a 75 hour/month guarantee you'll make $17,118. Oops...almost forgot...you won't get paid for your first two months here, so your total guarantee for the first twelve months of being a pilot at SW will be $14,265. That's a whopping $4,005 difference!!!

Granted, you will be doing some flying so you can figure in some per diem, but I'd bet that you still wouldn't make as much as a ramper.

Hopefully this will change soon.

The nice thing is that second year pay doubles what you make your first year (as a pilot).

Having said all this I believe that working the ramp is a good experience. I know first hand that the SW rampers are among the best in the industry, including the majors. I know several pilots here who were rampers before they became professional pilots, including myself. As a pilot, I think I have more respect for the job they do than if I had never worked the ramp. I always make it a point to say "hi" and "thank you". If you make a name for yourself as an outstanding worker and get to know a few pilots, you'd have no problem getting in for an interview.

Right now it seems that if you were to come in off the street with no inside connections you need over 4000 hours. If you come from within the company however, that time is dramatically reduced.

Good luck!

GP

 

[Majik]

I think every interview is a crapshoot. I've seen plenty of guys that exemplified what I thought a pilot should be, not get selected following what they thought was a good interview. I've also seen the marginal guys stumble into some great jobs.

I had a co-worker that threw bags for AA for a year, got the interview and the job. We felt he was wasting his time. Boy, were we wrong! I feel you need to only do the following 2 things to land that dream job:
1) anything
2) everything

And, you need to be persistent and disciplined about it and try not to get too discouraged when things seem to never materialize. Don't forget to take notes and enjoy the journey...
Good luck

 

[FSB99]

i don't know if it'll help you get an interview or not, but, it's always a good character-building job.

 

[350DRIVER]

Do it without a doubt.... The main reason why I went to work for Delta was to "network" and meet people who maybee would be able to help me one day down the line. If it is nothing more or nothing less it will be a "job" that may put a few pennies in your pocket.


good luck

3 5 0

 

[bobbysamd]

Foot in door

I would do it. I know of a person who was hired to throw bags, I believe, for Continental. He might also have been a CSR. While he worked on the ramp he worked on ratings and built time. He flew for Bar Harbor, which was a CO regional, and eventually was hired by mainline.

You have the opportunity as a company employee to gather LORs and to be seen and known. Having company employees vouch for you and being an employee with a track record most certainly should boost your chances, but are not necessarily a guarantee of an interview or being hired.

I am not familiar with all aspects of this law, but I believe that an employer must give you a leave of absence for National Guard training. You also must be given leave to attend drills and summer camp, and even if you're deployed. I would check this out thoroughly if I were you.

Good luck with your plans.

 

[MarineGrunt]

Well, I filled out the paperwork and I'm going to send it off (fingers crossed). A couple more questions though...

Should I send a cover letter and resume with the application? It doesn't ask for one, but I was planning on doing it anyway.

Is there a chance, if I "bust my ass", that I could get hired below their 1,000TT minimum? I might only have 800-900TT when I get done with training, but about 300 of that will be turbjojet...

 

[Flyingtoohigh]

Good luck which ever path you choose.

Tim Adam from UAL once told me in regards to working a ground position in hopes of a possible pilot slot, "Go get qualified to become a pilot. Don't become qualified to throw bags if you want to fly."

Just a quote I thought I would share.

 

[bobbysamd]

App attachments

Should I send a cover letter and resume with the application? It doesn't ask for one, but I was planning on doing it anyway.

Always use a cover letter. Aside from it serving as formal transmittal of your app, it is far more personal and professional than just dropping the app in the mail. You would use a cover letter to transmit a pilot app, wouldn't you? A cover letter for this position need only be brief.

I would not send a resume for this job, even if you could design one that highlights only your CSR quals. A job app is far more than only a form on which you present yourself, it is also a type of written examination which tests, among other things, your ability to follow directions. Therefore, provide only what is directed on the form.

It is different when applying for a pilot position. It is expected that you will include a resume with your application.

Is there a chance, if I "bust my ass", that I could get hired below their 1,000TT minimum? I might only have 800-900TT when I get done with training, but about 300 of that will be turbjojet...

Anything can happen, especially if you have all your ducks lined up in a row, but I wouldn't bet on it, especially at SkyWest. It still has plenty of far more experienced people from which to choose. Working there will primarily improve your chances over the masses who have no such associations.

 

[SkyWestCRJPilot]

Is there a chance, if I "bust my ass", that I could get hired below their 1,000TT minimum? I might only have 800-900TT when I get done with training, but about 300 of that will be turbjojet...

No. SkyWest is pretty much set on this. They've never hired anyone under 1000 hours total time. Even if you're Chuck Yeager and have 900 hours total time, all PIC in a 747, you still need the thousand hours total time. Whatever you decide to do, good luck.

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

Anyone have an idea yet on what the job might pay? My wife and I need to bring in a combined income of at least $22/hr to make it and she has yet to find a job in UT...
Thanks for the help so far!

MG, you may already be aware of this, but I would speculate the COL in SLC is higher than WI (again speculation on my part). I almost moved back there in 2000 and was shocked at how expensive it was compared to living in Louisville area. Also the congestion. A lot different from when I lived there during my high school days and Mom and Dad paid the bills.

 

[tinman]

From what I've been told, it's 750 hrs min. if you already work for Skywest. I know of 2 people that got hired this summer with those hours, so it can happen. All in who you know.

 

[MarineGrunt]

Schweeeet...!

From what I've been told, it's 750 hrs min. if you already work for Skywest. I know of 2 people that got hired this summer with those hours, so it can happen. All in who you know.

Anyone know where I can very this??? If it's true, then I'm DEFINATELY going this route...

 

[tinman]

Sorry I can't tell you who to talk to to verify. I thought the same thing about the 1000 hrs when my buddies were going for Skywest, but then they told me about the 750 hr thing. I went to school for the CFI with one of them, so I know the hours that he had. Again, it's all in who you know.

 

[sstearns2]

wait for 1000

I'd get the 1000 hours before you send your stuff in. A personal recomendation from the Skywest pilot is a big help. There have been a handful of pilots hired with less than 1000 hours, but the vast majority are well above that. I wouldn't get your hopes up too much, there are still a bunch of UAL people at the front of the line due to the agreement for the RJ70s.

Scott