Skywest Interview

[weeks]

After 6 months since the first inteview was cancelled, Skywest calls again. Few questions. Which a/c are they hiring into and which domiciles are the most junior. How long are the reserve and upgrade times in either a/c. Appreciate any info.

 

[Mr DC3]

Good luck to you. . . SkyWest is a great place to be.

Last I heard, they are hiring into both aircraft. Your previous experience may have something to do with which aircraft you get.

Most junior domiciles (in my opinion) are:

EMB: IAH, MRY, FAT
CRJ: SLC, TUS

As to reserve, it will depend on how many they hire after you. It seems like about 10%-20% of the lines are reserve.

Upgrade could be immediate if you are willing to be at the bottom at IAH for the foreseable future, AND if you meet the requirements of 1,000 hours crew and part 121.

CRJ upgrade could be awhile (read: 3-4 years)

Godspeed.

 

[Rogue5]

Time spent on reserve depends on where in the hiring cycle you get on. During the last cycle (Sept 02 - Feb 03) I know most spent no time on reserve except those hired in the last two months, and some of those are still on reserve.

With all the growth planned I would expect to see little time on reserve unless you get hired into the CRJ as many EMB F.O.'s are about to get out of seat lock and will be transitioning into the jet with seniority above newhires.

It is true that upgrade time could be nil... Most recent EMB ungrade class has pilots from that last newhire class. Imagine: getting hired, never having had enough seniority to hold a line and then getting awarded captain upgrade!

 

[Vorleron]

Not to hijack the thread, but...

Why is CRJ FO more desirable than EMB Captain... just curious?

Thanks!

 

[Blah Blah Blah]

Not to hijack the thread, but...

Why is CRJ FO more desirable than EMB Captain... just curious?

Thanks!

It's not for me. But I'll try to get on the Jet as an FO ASAP as I chase the money in the company (Trying to recover from 1st year pay). I don't have the time to upgrade right now(2500 hours TT, 1000 in a crew environment), but I'm planning on comming back to the Brazilia as a Captain as soon as I got the time. A couple of months back there were guys awarded EMB CA slots with seniority numbers in the 1400's. There are around 1430 pilots at skywest. Quick upgrades for those who got the time and are willing to move to IAH.

Blah

 

[Brett Hull]

Mr. DC3,

Is that 1000 hrs. crew under 121, or is it a mix of the two? I have about 1500 crew, but it's all been 91 or 135 in lears.

Just trying to figure out how that would work for me.

Thanks!

 

[ExFokkerFlyer]

One of the reasons that the EMB upgrades go so junior is pay. I have heard it argued that a line in the right seat of the jet pays more than left seat reserve in the Bro. When you run the numbers it doesn't quite work out that way. But, having said that, it's close enough that the quality of life issue comes into play. Many pilots have families and so forth, so obviously having a line would be desirable. Of course these days, there really is no reason to upgrade for the sole purpose of PIC time... which was not the case when I did it.

Hope that helps... and welcome aboard, it's a great company!

 

[Rogue5]

Of course these days, there really is no reason to upgrade for the sole purpose of PIC time...

I don't know if I buy that arguement. When The majors do start hiring again they will do so in order of total turbine PIC from most to least (all other factors being the same).

I heard a similar line of reasoning from instructor friends after 9/11 who saw no reason in flying 100 hours per month as before. When the regionals started hiring, total time did make a difference in who got called...

That being said, I have my bid in for CRJ FO.

 

[Mr DC3]

Re: Mr. DC3,

Is that 1000 hrs. crew under 121, or is it a mix of the two? I have about 1500 crew, but it's all been 91 or 135 in lears.

Pure speculation--

Obviously, part 121 time in a crew envoriment is the best, however, if you have quality crew time (ie: 135) I would guess that they would look at it on a case by case basis. It is my understanding that this requirement is a company mandated one, as opposed to a federally mandated one.

That being said, I know of several FO's who want to be Captains ASAP and are quickly building 80-100 hours each month of the best time, SkyWest crew time (at least that's how the company looks at it).

 

[ExFokkerFlyer]

If/when the majors as we know it start hiring again, it will be in several years... like 3-5. Business isn't all that great as it is, and many still have many furloughees to bring back into the fold. Comanies like ATA and JetBlue are hiring, but there are thousands of applicants. One needs luck, or somebody to help them along to get in. Southwest... well, you need a type for them, so until/unless they change they are pretty much out for most of us.

As far as when this hiring starts who the companies will hire... well, I seriously doubt that 5000 PIC is any different than 2000, or really even 1000 PIC during a hiring boom... if you meet the criteria and interview well... you need not worry.

If somebody were hired today at a regional... by the time hiring picked up, they would likely have the required PIC turbine...

Unless you have an in at ATA, SWA, JetBlue, Aloha etc... there is no rush to jump into the left seat.

That being said, life is much better over there. You no longer have to settle for the fat one...