Skyway

[Yudso]

CL600Pilot,

What is the general level of experience that you've seen interview at Skyway? Is there anyway to figure out your standing in the pool?

 

[jobear]

CL600Pilot,

What is the general level of experience that you've seen interview at Skyway? Is there anyway to figure out your standing in the pool?

We run the gambit during interviews from furloughed UAL and DAL to flight intructors so we do have a wide sampling of pilots. Don't be cocky,but be sure of yourself. Be PREPARED.

Jobear

 

[greenpickle]

Pool

No way to know where you stand in the pool. You are assigned a number and then they take from the top.

FN FAL - I have asked this of you before, Why do you hate Skyway?

JUSTINO - Good for you, stay happy, hopefully I will get you for the next 5 day I have. It would be refreshing over the traditional whine-a-thon. Actually, in all seriousness, many (or the majority) of crewmembers like their job and really dont whine. Remember you can fly your 75 hours a month lovin life or as a miserable turd, you might as well be lovin life.

GP

 

[Justino]

Thanks

Believe me I am SO happy just to interview! I can't wait to fly for Skyway!!!

I will let you all know how I did. Any PAIFA guys or gals or U of I people on here?

Justino

 

[captain caveman]

Yes, looking in from the outside the job is fun. When you get into it, you will realize more of the demands and how you may not be properly compensated for your hard skilled work. And God forbid, you ever want to start a family and have anyone depend on you...but it is a fun job most of the time.

 

[Skyrtr]

I interviewed recently with Skyway and haven't heard back yes or no yet. It's true about the points method; they assign points based on your strengths, and then pull the highest scorers first for employment offers and class dates. I have also heard that the date for the Delta deal was pushed to January (don't know if that's a go-live date, or a signing date).

I am dying to hear one way or the other. This was my first airline interview, and they made it enjoyable (as much as a stressful interview can be). The interviewers were very comfortable with each other and joking around, so that helped. I hope to get the chance to fly for them. The money is bad for all first airline jobs. After you make captain it's livable. I always work side jobs to keep my wife/house, so I'll do it still as an airline pilot too.

 

[ShadowFlight]

Skyway is like most other companies (aviation and non-aviation) - we have our problems. BUT, the pilot group is very good and go out of their way to help each other - from senior CA's to junior FO's, it doesn't matter the experience level.

Greenpickle is right - many, if not most, do enjoy their jobs. I'd rather work for a smaller company with great people than be a number at a larger company and work with difficult people.

Remember, attitude is everything! Keep a positive attitude and you'll do well!

Peace

SF

 

[ShadowFlight]

you will realize more of the demands and how you may not be properly compensated for your hard skilled work.

For the most part, I work harder at my part-time office job than I do flying. There are times, especially during bad weather or flying into congested airports, where flying can be work.

But flying still beats sitting in a office cube and staring at a computer eight hours a day, going to yet another mindless meeting.

The movie "Office Space" was closer to reality than most people, in aviation, realize.

Peace

SF

 

[Thunderchief]

Justino

It is actually refreshing to see someone who is not all pissed off and is looking forward to flying. Even if it is Skyway. I spent nearly 5 years at SYX and can say you'll have a great time and be soooooo far in debt when you leave it'll make you wonder if it was all worth it. Half full or empty, it depends on what day you ask me but I do miss working there.... Good luck!

And no U of I, only boilermakers........

-TC

 

[Yudso]

I can't wait to start. It looks like the October classes are all full, but hopefully I'll get the call for a November class. Sounds like a great place to work. Hopefully nothing will change with the Delta deal before I get there. Just out of curiousity, which base would you prefer, MKE or CVG?

 

[Skyrtr]

ShadowFlight

I got the letter today and am also in the pool. I'm really looking forward to the job, but should probably keep looking (Delta is not a done deal yet).

I worked office jobs for about 12 years, made tons of money (100K) and gave it up to fly. Money isn't everything, but it's still something! You have to make enough to survive reasonably. The compensation rates at the regionals are so poor that they rule out many very professional, skilled pilots who just can't afford to work for 18K/yr (and less). These great pilots never make it to the cockpit. In addition, the turnover is very high when hiring is good. This is, in turn, very expensive for the small airlines. If they paid more, I can't help but believe they would save money in the long run... I'm not bitter, just the realities. Still can't wait to fly for Skyway if it happens.

See Ya,

 

[ShadowFlight]

I got the letter today and am also in the pool. I'm really looking forward to the job, but should probably keep looking (Delta is not a done deal yet).

I worked office jobs for about 12 years, made tons of money (100K) and gave it up to fly. Money isn't everything, but it's still something! You have to make enough to survive reasonably. The compensation rates at the regionals are so poor that they rule out many very professional, skilled pilots who just can't afford to work for 18K/yr (and less). These great pilots never make it to the cockpit. In addition, the turnover is very high when hiring is good. This is, in turn, very expensive for the small airlines. If they paid more, I can't help but believe they would save money in the long run... I'm not bitter, just the realities. Still can't wait to fly for Skyway if it happens.

See Ya,

Payscale issues aside, you'll enjoy working at Skyway. Given the number of pilots needed for the potential Delta deal, you have a good chance of getting hired. I don't know for sure but it appears we will need somewhere over 500 for both Midwest Connect and Delta.

Keep in touch with HR and let them know of your interest and enthusiasm. I believe the Delta deal will eventually be finalized. There are several issues that need to be resolved first - Delta finances and logistics of contract implementation.

Good luck!

Peace

SF

 

[WillFlyFoCookie]

Attitude is everything!(Like Shadowflight said) Guys like Justino and Skytr have got it right. Keep that attitude and you'll be fine. It would be great to have you at Skyway. Good Luck and hopefully I'll see you on the line!

 

[ilkwamh2]

Hey Justino,

If the U of I you're talking about is Illinois, there are a bunch of U of I grads working for Skyway now, and they all love it! I'm a U of I grad also, but don't fly for skyway. Good Luck!

-FeiFong

 

[Justino]

Hey Skyway

Yes Flying Illini!!!!! I can't wait to interview and fly for skyway and too see my old friends. Who from U of I works their? Dana? Kat? Peter L? Nate (as in nasty?) Brian?

Only a few more days until I interview any last words of advice guys and gals? I need all the advice I can get !

Thanks and fly safe and be happy life is short not to enjoy what you have NOW not tomorrow....

Justin

 

[Skyrtr]

WillFlyFoCookie

Thanks! Hope to see you there too. In life, a positive attitude takes you much further than being negative. Even if you don't like some aspect of your profession, you can still love what you love and work to change the things that you dislike. I've always believed the payscales are ridiculous for CFIs and the bottom rungs at the regionals, but I still put up with it because I have an end-goal in sight. My end-goal is a life spent doing something I liked.

 

[CKlimko]

It's so refreshing to read these replies. I still have a ways to go before I ever start flying for an airline (actually starting my PPL full-time this Sunday, after taking a few lessons.) Reading these replies makes me realize shockingly, there are people out there that love to fly, and don't let a bad attitude ruin there dream. Hopefully I'll have the pleasure to fly with some of you in the future!

 

[Justino]

A new flyer ! Great Job!

Hey CKlimo...


Good luck in your PPL. Study HARD as this is an important step in your future direction. Fly flight sim All the time too. Find your local airport in MS Flight Sim and practice touch and go's and procedures. Also, the things that I saw being a CFI etc.. was that those students who would study and know all the material and seek more info on sites like AOPA.org (Aviation Circulars -AC) progressed three times fasters then those who expected me to teach them everything over and over again.

You are entering into a great profession and one that you should be proud to associate with NOW as a Student. As a Student Pilot, not that people should ever stop learning, you have so many interesting and challenging times ahead of you. Never give up and NEVER believe that you will ever know it all in flying. The moment u say to yourself "I know it all " begins the game of playing with statistics, which will never lend favor to us pilots!

Good luck and welcome to a league of tradition and respect

Fly safe and keep learning

Justino

PS. My spelling sucks cause its 10pm and I am tired ! Sorry

Some cool site 4 ur future profession:

www.aviationinterviews.com

www.climbto350.com

www.webexams.com

http://www.aeroplanner.com/flightplanning/approachplates.cfm

http://afs600.faa.gov/srchFolder.asp?Category=traininghandbook

 

[Yudso]

Commercial flying will always have it's drawbacks, but it is still the best career out there. I don't think much will change with regional payscales, but if you love what you are doing it more than makes up for the lack of pay. I hope to end up flying for a national carrier like Frontier or Southwest. Right now I am just excited about the possibility of flying for Skyway. The hardest part is having to wait for a class date.

 

[CKlimko]

Hey CKlimo...


Good luck in your PPL. Study HARD as this is an important step in your future direction. Fly flight sim All the time too. Find your local airport in MS Flight Sim and practice touch and go's and procedures. Also, the things that I saw being a CFI etc.. was that those students who would study and know all the material and seek more info on sites like AOPA.org (Aviation Circulars -AC) progressed three times fasters then those who expected me to teach them everything over and over again.

You are entering into a great profession and one that you should be proud to associate with NOW as a Student. As a Student Pilot, not that people should ever stop learning, you have so many interesting and challenging times ahead of you. Never give up and NEVER believe that you will ever know it all in flying. The moment u say to yourself "I know it all " begins the game of playing with statistics, which will never lend favor to us pilots!

Good luck and welcome to a league of tradition and respect

Fly safe and keep learning

Justino

PS. My spelling sucks cause its 10pm and I am tired ! Sorry

Some cool site 4 ur future profession:

www.aviationinterviews.com

www.climbto350.com

www.webexams.com

http://www.aeroplanner.com/flightplanning/approachplates.cfm

http://afs600.faa.gov/srchFolder.asp?Category=traininghandbook

Hey! I appreciate your post. I do in fact use FS quite a bit doing the things you mentioned, it has tremendously with some previous flights I took. I'm not saying I knew anything a fresh PPL would know, but I had the general idea, whereas some had no clue.

I agree, with any hands-on, mind-using profession you'll never stop learning, and that's what is so awesome (to me) about flying. I could take a Cessna up everyday, and still learn something new, it makes me want the job even more, that's what makes me strive.

Hah, I've been to those site, I'll take a closer look now though, since you mentioned them.

Basically my philosophy is that your attitude makes the job. You could make $20,000 a year and be happy, or like most be miserable. It's what you say to yourself when you wake-up in the morning before a trip, "Oh $hit, I get to go make $18 an hour today, flying like a slave, etc, etc," or "Woohoo, I get to take a 20 million dollar jet and fly it from here to there, and they pay me to do it, amazing, I get to spend the night in New York, and Chicago, I get to leave here in crappy weather, break through the clouds and touch the face of God, etc, etc." Of course the job has it's setbacks (pay, QOL, etc, etc), but I tend to think regional flying isn't the last stop, it's a mere percentage of a flying career. Sit back, and enjoy the ride today. Be thankful that God gives you the option to fly, stop whinning about what you don't have. Enjoy what you have first.

Thanks again, and I hope to God I have your attitude when I'm in your shoes, it's the only one a pilot should have.