Skwest Pilot input

[Mtnjam]

I've been w/ Pinchanickel airlines for over 3 yrs and due to taking some time off I don't have the PIC turbine time required to go on to something bigger and better. I'm thinking about applying to SkyWest. Although I don't believe in Regional jumping, I live on the W. coast and would really like a Southern, Cal. base. So I'm looking for some input from a few SkyWest guys.
How long is reserve as an FO? How long for Upgrade? Different bases, Equipment, etc? How's the Quality of life? Are you just a number and treated poorly like some other places treat you? Curiosity is getting me.

 

[Skaff]

According to your profile, your an aviation consultant. In your professional opinion, what do you think you should do?

 

[pilotbrain]

Just curious, Pinnacle is hiring advertising street Captains so why don't you want to upgrade?

 

[viper548]

Reserve depends on where you're based and what aircraft you're on. If you want the CRJ and a west coast base, you'll be waiting a while. I believe the last few upgrade classes in the RJ have been at about the 3 year mark. With things slowing down there won't be anymore quick upgrades. There were a lot of FO's that had to bypass because they didn't meet the upgrade requirements (2500TT, 1000Turb, 1000Crew). More of them will meet those mins once classes start running again. If you don't mind the EMB you should be able to get FAT or PSP pretty quickly. Good luck

 

[FishandFly]

I didn't think skywest guys were allowed to give input on anything.

 

[Steveair]

SkyWest isn't hirring currently.

 

[siucavflight]

How are you going to get on with a company that stopped hiring?

 

[Mtnjam]

smart

thanks for the input.......... For Upgrade at Pinnacle... Yeah,, sure,,, Commuting to our Domiciles as a Captain is no fun... Commuting is no fun and i like many others am tired of it, therefore sometimes it's worth taking risks so you don't have to commute from LAX or SAN to Detoilet.

The other posts tell me there are some real Rocket Scientists on here. One of the reason I quit looking at this website for a few years...........

 

[FishandFly]

By the way, what kind of "aviation consultant" are you?

 

[sweptback]

You think any aviation consultant worth anything would have researched the company's bases before taking a job there.

 

[rickair7777]

I've been w/ Pinchanickel airlines for over 3 yrs and due to taking some time off I don't have the PIC turbine time required to go on to something bigger and better. I'm thinking about applying to SkyWest. Although I don't believe in Regional jumping, I live on the W. coast and would really like a Southern, Cal. base. So I'm looking for some input from a few SkyWest guys.
How long is reserve as an FO? How long for Upgrade? Different bases, Equipment, etc? How's the Quality of life? Are you just a number and treated poorly like some other places treat you? Curiosity is getting me.

SKW is not hiring and upgrades are virtually frozen, except for a few EMB120 slots.

I jumped to SKW for similar reasons, and it was definately a good move. It's a large company, but they do treat you well in that they will help you out with situations and forgive mistakes as long as you're not a problem child.

However...that was when hiring was going full-bore, so I now have 1000 numbers below me. If you come now, you will almost certainly be in MKE, or if you're lucky ORD, for a long while, probably on reserve.

The only benefit to moving now is the knowledge that if you get stuck at the regional level, SKW is not a bad place and you can eventually be based in the west. Also SKW (second to RAH) is probably one of the most survivable regionals in the event of a major regional bloodbath.

 

[T-prop]

thanks for the input.......... For Upgrade at Pinnacle... Yeah,, sure,,, Commuting to our Domiciles as a Captain is no fun...

And commuting as an FO is better?

Commuting is no fun and i like many others am tired of it, therefore sometimes it's worth taking risks so you don't have to commute from LAX or SAN to Detoilet.

Were Pinnacle's bases a secret to you before you applied and got hired?

 

[PCL_128]

Don't go to a non-union company.

 

[BoilerUP]

If somebody who could have held upgrade over a year ago at their current job with nearly half the current pilot group below them wants to make a lateral move to be furlough fodder at another regional at the beginning of a down cycle in the industry, by all means don't hold them back.

If you want a west coast base go FRACTIONAL.

 

[flyboyzz1]

new hires are getting MKE and ORD but won't have any problem getting SLC or DEN before they leave the school house.

 

[Morning Wood]

Don't go to a non-union company.

Indeed. Pick a union shop like Skyway or Aloha. Oh wait....

 

[sqwkvfr]

....or Mesa or GoJet or Trans States.

 

[Caspian27]

Don't go to a non-union company.

Yeah because having a union really makes the airline successful.

That's right try G7 they're union now. Or how 'bout YV, there's a class union house there. They're West Coast AND hiring! And best of all, even though you'll get sub-par pay massively JRA'd and minimum days off they're ALPA so they're okay right? Or what about XE? They're losing bunches of money and are taking LOA's.

Apparently QOL & company health don't matter...only being union does.

Oh and PCL, since my entire family works for HP my dog is firmly in the ALPA house in the US Airways mess.

 

[AirSeattle]

By the way, SkyWest IS still hiring....for the Bro, but still interviewing 3 days a week, running EMB classes every month..hiring for the CRJ for a pool...not very deep at the moment but things tend to happen quickly, w..things have not stopped completely.

 

[AirSeattle]

By the way, SkyWest IS still hiring....for the Bro, but still interviewing 3 days a week, running EMB classes every month..hiring for the CRJ for a pool...not very deep at the moment but things tend to happen quickly, when they do happen..things have not stopped completely.