Skywest Or Air Wisconsin??

[Av8tor91]

Hi all, which commuter will be better; SkyWest or Air Wisconsin?? Considering United owns Air Wisconsin and it might fold if United folds. Although, Air Wisconsin is the highest in pay scale.
Any reply will be appreciated, thanks.

Ed Rod

 

[Sandstorm]

Who said United owns AWAC. United doesn't own us. We are a privately owned company.

 

[Av8tor91]

How long with Air Wisconsin??

 

[crashpad]

Never underestimate the shelf-life of Blue Cheddar!

 

[vagabond04]

Actually, I believe it is we who own United...

 

[CesnaCaptn]

I just talked to a ZW pilot the other day. It didn't sound like they have the highest payscale. I think they just gave back 10%.

 

[pljenkins]

AWAC is a privately held company. I think United still "owns" some of the 146's, but the company itself is autonomous.

As for which company is a better company to fly for, I can't answer that since I fly a desk.

If United went under tomorrow, AWAC will be hurt alot more since 90% of their business comes from UAL. Skywest is a bit more diversified, but you can bet the layoffs will be rather swift there, too, so you're really not safe at either place if United dies.

P.

 

[searching]

I'm sure this has been brought up before, but what is the average multi time of a new hire at Sky West? I'm kinda lacking in that category.

 

[Ben Dover]

Don't have the foggiest idea of average multi time, but I know the range is something like this: 100 - bazillion.

More importantly than average multi time would be:
1. Do you have the min requirements
2. Who do you know that works there

 

[crashpad]

I know someone who interviewed at Skywest last month with about 100 multi and 1000 TT. Here's the encouraging part: He did'nt know anyone, just sent in his resume with a heartfelt letter and 2 weeks later he got called.

On a more somber note: he did'nt get hired.

 

[utahpilot]

while first year pay at AirWis is higher (22.32 vs 19 at SkyWest), after that SkyWest has a higher pay scale, but not by much. This is due to the concessions taken by AirWis. also, I'm not sure what SKYW has for duty and trip rig, do ya'll get paid while sitting in the box at ORD for 2 hrs? SKYW also does not pay during training and newhires have to buy their initial Jepps.

 

[SLOTH]

SkyWest pays the overtime that you spend in the box at ORD. It is credit or greater. As far as Trip rig is concerned, they don't have that, but the do pay 1 hour of flight pay for every 2 hours on duty up to a 12 hour duty day. After 12 hours it is 1 for 1 known as premium pay. Hope this helps.

Sloth

 

[Ben Dover]

but they do pay 1 hour of flight pay for every 2 hours on duty up to a 12 hour duty day. After 12 hours it is 1 for 1 known as premium pay.

The 1 for 2 duty pay and premium pay after 12 hrs is ONLY given on scheduled flying in original bid packet. Atleast that's the way I understand it.


So if your duty day runs long, or you have a long sit time or two for ANY reason outside the original bid; don't expect the 1 for 2 or premium pay. Ain't gonna happen.

 

[Doggiepaddle]

Jepps are supplied at SKYW. You have to purchase your own binder/plate holders. Hotel is paid for at training, but no pay. Great place to work, but I hear AWAC is good too.

 

[Mayday911]

Don't be blinded by dollar per hour figures...that is only part of the equation.

QOL at Air Wis is very good for me, I got hired 10/02. I have 14-16 days off a month and for the last 4 months have averaged 90+ hours of credit while actually blocking less than 75 (at 32.56/hour).

Now, for someone that gets hired today....you might be on the edge of being on reserve for a long time. The growth is drying up around here and the hiring is planned to be stopped sometime this summer (growth classes...attrition replacement is planned after the last RJ is put into service). Upgrade for someone hired this year...good luck. That may be a good thing for those of you with lower time because the company has turned their attention towards lower time pilots. They are saying that this is the new trend due to the fact that upgrade will be a long ways off for 04 new hires.

In my opinion if you get hired anywhere in the regional level this year, upgrade is not going to happen for a while. There are enough RJs out there already and not much more room. That being said...if 12 days off, trip/duty rigs, above average pay, company defined 401k contributions, and east coast living, are for you, then Air Wisconsin would a good place to be stuck for a little while.

Mayday

 

[Dave Benjamin]

There are 3 things that would influence my decision if I were in your shoes.

1. Domicile
2. Domcile
3. Domicile

Any advantage one has over the other will be mitigated by the extra time, effort, and frustration you'll face commuting. Both companies are excellent choices. If either company offer domiciles where you can see yourself living that's the one to go with.

 

[pipejockey]

. That being said...if 12 days off, trip/duty rigs, above average pay, company defined 401k contributions, and east coast living, are for you, then Air Wisconsin would a good place to be stuck for a little while.

Mayday

I thought AWACS bases were Chicago, Appleton and Denver which is being phased out. Are they opening up an IAD base, and does anyone know if it will go Junior?

 

[SLOTH]

Ben Dover,

Sorry bud, but you're wrong. The 2 for 1 special counts any time scheduled or not. It's the premium pay that only counts during what's scheduled, to prevent too many days over 12 hours.

Sloth

 

[ILStoMinimums]

SO SKW does pay for hotel during training? Well if thats the case then thats now so bad - I was thinking you had to pay for hotel and no pay during training? How long is GS before you actually fly the plane? 2-3 months?

 

[Ben Dover]

Ben Dover,

Sorry bud, but you're wrong. The 2 for 1 special counts any time scheduled or not. It's the premium pay that only counts during what's scheduled, to prevent too many days over 12 hours.

Sloth

Well Mr. Sloth I wish you were right. I've never had any luck in getting 1 for 2 when my duty day runs long. Maybe I'm just not asking for it the right way. Anyway, checkout SP 305 #29 DUTY GUARANTEE. It says scheduled not actual.

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

A guy I know who's in class now had his resume walked in at Skywest, time 1500TT - 250multi. This was last month, he's in EMB 120 class now.

 

[Russ]

He is correct, its scheduled not actual.

 

[ILStoMinimums]

If a friend walks in your resume, is that basically a guaranteed interview? And please confirm: I heard no sim evaluation is given if you have 1000+ 121 time already? True or not always?

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

If a friend walks in your resume, is that basically a guaranteed interview? And please confirm: I heard no sim evaluation is given if you have 1000+ 121 time already? True or not always?

I'd say it increases your chances but nothing is guaranteed. It just helps to have someone put their name out there saying this guy is an exceptional pilot; reliable, intelligent and should be considered for hire. Or we used to get toasted together and boy can he drink..

I’m not sure about 121 time..

Fly safe,
TA

 

[whatwasthat?]

During my interview there was a guy who was informed that due to his 1000+ hrs of 121 time that he would not have to take the sim ride.

 

[ILStoMinimums]

I've got a good friend sarting RJ class on the 19th - new hire. Any idea where the new hires are going for a base?

 

[FN FAL]

mayday911 writes...

Now, for someone that gets hired today....you might be on the edge of being on reserve for a long time. The growth is drying up around here and the hiring is planned to be stopped sometime this summer (growth classes...attrition replacement is planned after the last RJ is put into service). Upgrade for someone hired this year...good luck. That may be a good thing for those of you with lower time because the company has turned their attention towards lower time pilots. They are saying that this is the new trend due to the fact that upgrade will be a long ways off for 04 new hires.

One of the guys flying for freight runners has just left for a class at Air Willy. He was pretty excited as you might imagine, but what was funny was he said they told him at the interview there may be a 7 to 8 year upgrade time for captain. He then said, "but I really think they told me that to see if I really wanted the job...I think upgrade times will be 2 years because..." He then launched off into this "new math" extrapolation about what captain was going to do this and that and how senior they were and how the company has this upgrade thing wrong. His "new math" application was inspiring, but I think he will be disapointed with his expectations of a two year upgrade at Air Willy.

 

[SpocksBeard]

2 year upgrade...HA! - I was told the same thing in the interview more or less: 5 to 8 years. I'm guessing it will probably closer to 4 or 5 but this a good place to be stuck as an FO. How can anybody really forecast this crap anyway?