SkyWest and part-time work

[Dubya]

Hey fins, why don't you and sweptback enlighten us all and tell us how Southwest, United, Alaska, US Airways, etc. are bringing the airline industry down by paying the same rates for all versions of the 737/A320-321,319. All different seating configurations, yet all one rate of pay.

Bitterness and jealousy are stinky colognes.

W

 

[COOPERVANE]

I am not suggesting that a new hire Skywest pilot should turn down his job. I am suggesting that he should not come onto this board and say:

"hey ASA, have fun having your airplanes taken away. Tee hee!"

If we suddenly took over all your 50 seater's, it would also not be my fault. But I wouldn't gloat about it. And I believe that it would set a dangerous precedent.

 

[Popeye0537]

Hey fins, why don't you and sweptback enlighten us all and tell us how Southwest, United, Alaska, US Airways, etc. are bringing the airline industry down by paying the same rates for all versions of the 737/A320-321,319. All different seating configurations, yet all one rate of pay.

Bitterness and jealousy are stinky colognes.

W

What?? How many different seat configs. does Southwest fly with. If United a united pilot was to fly a 747 cargo/pax configured aircraft with only 50 first class seats and the rest cargo do you think he would only get 50 seat pay? Nice try Geroge.

 

[~~~^~~~]

SkyNation and W:

ASA (although they have resolved not to) may end up cutting their rates to below SkyWest as management has demanded. Then SkyWest will be at your throats threatening to transfer flying back to ASA. Do you think your opinion will be any different then? In fact, hasn't SkyWest already been talking about transferring 50 seaters?

The SkyWest pilots have an opportunity to vote for representation which will push to bring parity to the 700 pay and "Zoltaire" seems to be a push for the same thing. I encourage you to support these efforts and congratulate you if you already do so.

Dubya - 40 to 90 seaters on one pay rate covers aircraft that have a 225% difference in revenue. I do not know of an example in the industry that crosses such a large disparity. If management wants the simplicity of a single rate, then they should agree on the 70 rate since it neatly bridges the difference. However, telling pilots that 70 rates will be negotiated in 18 months and then refusing to do so indicates a lack of integrity. Worse, management is playing on pilots' greed, hoping that they will be so happy at the explosive growth that pay rates are less of an issue.

I do not think it is smart business and illustrates short time horizon thinking. SkyWest figures they will benefit. Replacing 10+ year employees with new hires results in a savings of around $70,000 per pilot. However, the ASA pilots are still around, with nearly 200 on reserve on the 50 seater covering 360 lines, still getting paid, just not flying. Further, SkyWest longevity will catch up with SkyWest - we all get older. What then, transfer the flying out to another subsidiary to keep the cycle going? That is a ponzi scheme, not a successful long term management solution.

My bitterness is not aimed at the SkyWest pilots. However, you are flying a few miles in trail spacing behind us. We were in your shoes during the Comair strike and steadfastly refused to fly struck work and refused several offers of concessionary bargaining for growth. I offer advice which I hope will encourage you to make decisions in your career which benefit this profession, which you are a part of.

A person is a professional pilot when they first want to know how much the job pays. Asking what second jobs facilitate your airline career is not an indicator of a "professional" pilot. I would prefer scheduled airline service to not be a hobby. If you want a hobby flying, put your degree to use, make some money and buy yourself an airplane.

I have an airplane that I fly for free - yippee - on my schedule. But when I'm working, I expect to be paid as a professional pilot. There is a difference.

~~~^~~~

 

[SKYWRJGUY]

Fins --

I don't know where you got your information from (no source) but according to the Bureau of Economic Analyssis, the average per capita income in Utah was about $26,600 (Table SA30, 2004; http://www.bea.gov/bea/regional/spi/action.cfm) or 28,060 (2005; http://www.bea.gov/bea/newsrel/spi_highlights.pdf#search=%22Utah%20per%20capita%20income%22) a slight increase to which I agree first year pay change failed to parallel--it ranks 45 out of 50 in the nation, towards the low side. From Census bureau, I found something that looked like your information, where Salt Lake city median household income was $36,000 while median house price was http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/49/4967000.html); even adjusted up 3% per annum they still represent much less than you suggest. You might try a comparison that is well-researched instead of skewed--also, you might avoid Wikipedia for source information (or wherever that originated). I agree we would all like more money, but misinterpretation as a means for gaining allies or proof is not the way to do it. If I was management, I'd laugh at the comparison; if I was debating management, I'd use a proportional amount from each city we operated and show how the first-year pay lagged the local economy per capita
(for SkyWest cannot control household income), and put our folks at finanical, and thus emotional risk, especially when considering inflation indices. If I had the means, I'd publicize it...hard to argue with real, unspun facts. Alas, joining a union at this time would also not bring parity to the negotiations or align us with other airline interests, though subsequent dealings may benefit from the institution (if we got rid of a select few from SAPA).

tomcash:

Well said, thanks for that little nugget of absolutely nothing. How good it must feel internally to know what you say is worthless--but internalization; at least you have that going for you.

 

[~~~^~~~]

My source was CNN. The Census folks include those who do not work, which brings down the averages. But while you were doing homework to justify the actions of those eager to replace those making nearly 2 to 5 times the money for the same flying you did not take issue with the figures for Welfare.

Good luck getting on at SouthWest. Great company where welfare wages and whipsaw attacks on labor don't seem to be required to manage a profitable business with a future. Your 737 type would appear to indicate that as great as you believe SkyWest is, you are getting out as soon as you can. No kidding, good luck to you and to all of us who need to be flying airplanes with our airline's name painted on the side of it.

Maybe someday we will have a national union strong enough to save this profession. In the mean time I think all we can do is to encourage pilots to stand up for themselves and not take airline jobs that require a second gig to even afford the bare necessities of life.

300 hours a month TAFB / $18,000 = 5.00 an hour. Pilots are worth more than that.

~~~^~~~

 

[jayme]

I am not suggesting that a new hire Skywest pilot should turn down his job. I am suggesting that he should not come onto this board and say:

"hey ASA, have fun having your airplanes taken away. Tee hee!"

If we suddenly took over all your 50 seater's, it would also not be my fault. But I wouldn't gloat about it. And I believe that it would set a dangerous precedent.

WTF are you talking about? Who on this board has shown joy at the prospect of planes being transferred to SkyWest from ASA?

 

[Stifler's Mom]

WTF are you talking about? Who on this board has shown joy at the prospect of planes being transferred to SkyWest from ASA?

Good deal. I hope ASA shuts down. There should be some cheap houses in ATL soon. Thanks ladies!

You should strike. This way ASA will fail to exist and there will be more flying for me in a new shiny jet!

I hope they shut you down!

Here's a few quotes from that prick coworker of yours, MELIT.

 

[Rogue5]

Good deal. I hope ASA shuts down. There should be some cheap houses in ATL soon. Thanks ladies!

You should strike. This way ASA will fail to exist and there will be more flying for me in a new shiny jet!

I hope they shut you down!

Here's a few quotes from that prick coworker of yours, MELIT.

Here's another quote from him:

Quote:
Originally Posted by atrdriver
Your bosses control who our bosses are. Our bosses have screwed this place up, both before and after we were bought, if your bosses want it cleaned up then it's their responsibility to get some people in here who know what they are doing.

Originally Posted by MELIT
Not my bosses.

From what I know, and from what he says, he does not work for Skywest.

From looking at his other posts, he does indeed seem to be quite a prick...

 

[SSDD]

MELIT is one of those pilot hating mechanics always trying to stir $hit up.

MEL it...he'd rather defer something than fix it.

 

[Dubya]

What?? How many different seat configs. does Southwest fly with. If United a united pilot was to fly a 747 cargo/pax configured aircraft with only 50 first class seats and the rest cargo do you think he would only get 50 seat pay? Nice try Geroge.

It's quite simple popeye, i'll use the 737 as an example. -400,-500,-600,-700,-800...all with different seating capacities...same family of aircraft. CRJ family is no different. So there is venom spit at a regional airline for having one pay rate for one family of aircraft with different seating capacities while everyone ignores the fact that the same thing is done at the legacy carriers.

So basically, your comprehension skills are inadequate because I didn't use the lame reference you did.

I'm all for more pay, but all this lame bitterness and bitching is annoying stupid. Just raise the rate for the CRJ family and pay regional airline pilots what they are worth.


Until there is a united voice for regional pilots all of the pitting of one group against another will continue to bring the same results.

W

 

[~~~^~~~]

Dubya - now you are starting to sound like me