SkyWest Bid Lines

[Beer30?]

Hey there,

I'm one of the guys swimming in the pool at SkyWest, and was wondering what the bid lines are like. How much block time are junior guys getting at OO; how many days off per month, etc. Any comments from the junior guys about your QOL? I am most interested in DEN lines, but it would be interesting to hear about others, as well.

Thanks in advance for posting.

Beer30?

 

[propjockey]

I'm not very junior, so I can't give you much information pertaining to your specific questions. But things are in a state of flux right now anyway. The short answer is that "it remains to be seen" what kind of QOL junior pilots -- make that ALL pilots -- will have in the coming few months.

A). We're dealing with the natural post-holiday slow-down. This was coupled with the somewhat unexpected implosion of the SLC domicile (due to Delta cutbacks after filing Chapter 11), creating "the perfect storm" resulting in a hugely overstaffed position and lots lineholders bumped back to reserve. We seem to be recovering somewhat from this, as the number of jet lines in SLC increased by about 20 for Feb.

B). PBS (preferential bidding) will be in all domiciles soon. Some of the biggest domiciles are just beginning to learn it, but it will be system-wide by the time you are out of training. This is a big change, and I think it will be a while before we know how it really turns out.

C). Attrition seems to be accelerating quite a bit lately. (Yes, I have OCD -- I check my seniority number daily.) I've moved up about 20 numbers in the last month, including 3 in just the last two days. Item C is undoubtedly helping us with Item A.

And now for a good rumor. Despite the letter sent to the poolies saying no classes in the 1st quarter, word on the street today is that there WILL be a newhire class in March. Also, interviews are supposed to resume by the end of January.

 

[Beer30?]

Thanks for the reply. How about vacation? How much vacation do new guys get, and how does this work with bidding? If you take a vacation day when you had a trip scheduled, do you have to find someone to pick up the trip, take vacation for the whole trip or ??

Regarding the rumors, I hope they're true. If interviewing is to start by the end of Jan, I would think that people would start getting calls/emails any day now.

Beer30?

 

[Ride Orange]

Good answer propjockey. Nice to see someone take some time to explain things well without adding unneeded flame.

 

[FlyboyPhil]

I am pulling this from memory, but I believe you start earning vacation time after 6 months and can use it after a year. You can take vacation for a trip if they have reserves to cover it(and to maintain the obscure "minimum reserve staffing"). In times of overstaffing most requests are approved, when understaffed good luck. A lineholder can put a trip up on the swap board and hope someone else takes it, and even offer compensation for them taking it if they are desperate. You can also bid for a line with those days off.. that will get trickier with PBS and takes some seniority. Also reservists may be able to negotiate with crew scheduling if they really need some days off.. trading reserve days with scheduling is pretty common, especially if they are in a bind "right now" and you want days off "later."

 

[Steveair]

Reserve Lines - 75 hrs a month w/ 10 days off

Lines - 75-91 hrs a month (avg. 82 hrs), with 11-15 (sometimes up to 18), days off.