Skywest or Pinnacle.....faster upgrade?

[mtnflyer]

Any one have any thoughts on quicker time into the left seat?

 

[blee256]

I met a guy here at work yesterday, who was upgrading to captain, he has been with skywest for 4 years. Hope that helps.

 

[Mesabi Miner]

Last I heard, Pinnacle is hiring street Captains. Of course if you're planning on the traditional route, it's likely to be a while since I don't think the final 29 or so jets they get will absorb the FO ranks they have presently.

MM

 

[blade230]

I don't think we are hiring streer captains any longer. We have quite a few senior FO's who have the time, but did not want to upgrade untill the new year. (2005)

 

[California]

two years - emb upgrade fresno

 

[Socalplt]

If you haven't already, checkout the delivery schedule at www.SkyWest.com.
Upgrades are driven by growth and attrition. With growth stopping in June05 and attrition at only 22 captains so far this year, I'd have to imagine the upgrades will slow as well.

We have 1760+ pilots on the seniority list with the latest EMB upgrades going to those with numbers in the 1100-1200 range.

 

[norskman2]

We have 1760+ pilots on the seniority list with the latest EMB upgrades going to those with numbers in the 1100-1200 range.

I'm curious --- with 1760+ pilots, why aren't upgrades more like in the 860-900 range, about halfway down the seniority list?

I'm just a measly private pilot -- I don't fully grasp some of the intricacies of the seniority system when it comes to upgrades. Does this mean Skywest has more captains than FOs?

 

[Socalplt]

The 800-900 range is where the RJ captain is running right now. Many people have decided to stay on the RJ as an FO than take the EMB upgrade.

Typically there are more captains than FOs. Captains accrue more time off due to longevity, and occupy management and training positions which reduce the amount of time they actually spend flying - therefore the need for more captains to cover the flying. At the present time we have about 870 CP's and 900 FO's. I'd guess will be adding another 100 CPs in the next 6-9 months to cover the growth and at least as many new FOs.

 

[Bluto]

Upgrades are driven by growth and attrition. With growth stopping in June05 and attrition at only 22 captains so far this year, I'd have to imagine the upgrades will slow as well.

I don't disagree that upgrades will likely slow, however, have you heard anything solid about growth stopping in 6/05? Just because that's all that's currently scheduled, doesn't mean growth will end then.

 

[Socalplt]

No nothing solid. I know that there are still a bunch of options at Canadair that could be converted to either 50, 70, or even 90s. With UA announcement of cutbacks on the domestic side and growth for Express maybe some more airplanes will be coming our way. On the flipside, the seven deliveries for Delta next year may not be coming.

 

[MED]

you really can't tell how long your upgrade is going to be. when i got hired the upgrade was 18 months. 5 years later i'm still an FO. so pick an airline that your planning to stay for a looonnng time

 

[flagshipper]

You can't just look at current upgrades which is going very junior at Pinnacle you have to look at growth. If you started class today you would have seniority number 1000 or so and our current order of 129 yets is gonna require about 1200 to 1250 pilots when all is said and done next spring. So me and a few others have worked out the upgrade time assuming growth stops at 129 which is likely with our contract coming up, of about 5 years which takes into account a small attrition rate and age 60 retirements. Obviously we could be furloughing tomorrow and that number could double or we could get 100 more jets and you would be upgrading as soon as you meet mins. there is no way to know for sure. Like alot of the other post don't pick on upgrade choose on all the other things like qol bases and pay and recommendations and upgrade will happen when it happens

 

[Socalplt]

The latest round of EMB upgrades at SkyWest announced yesterday has gone to those in the 1350 range. Domiciles included FAT, IAH, and DEN.

 

[jayme]

Latest EMB upgrades at SKYW DOH: March '03!

 

[theskyking]

Heading to class

Just got my upgrade. Been here 20 mos and heading to class 11/29. I've seen the inside of a Brasilia once so should be lots of fun. Any tips from you Bro drivers would be appreciated.

Sam

 

[RiddleMan80]

What are the minimums at either one? Which would allow a quicker advancement to the left seat for turbine PIC? Does sim time help? Thanks in advance.

 

[Splert]

Does sim time help?

No...

 

[Bluto]

deleted

 

[Bluto]

Which would allow a quicker advancement to the left seat for turbine PIC?

Um, that question is the entire point of this thread...
As for your first question:
SkyWest minimums:
"Although our published minimums are 1000 hours total time, 100 hours multi engine and 100 hours instrument, competitive hours for this position are 2500 hours of total time with turbine experience preferred."

Pinnacle minimums:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High School Diploma. First Class Medical Certificate. Airline Transport Pilot certificate and type rating in company aircraft or commercial pilot certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings. Excellent interpersonal and cognitive skills.

 

[Socalplt]

What are the minimums at either one? Which would allow a quicker advancement to the left seat for turbine PIC? Does sim time help? Thanks in advance.

The minimums for upgrade at SkyWest are 2500tt with 1000 ME turbine in a crew environment. Sim time doesn't count for anything. I believe Pinnancle has a 3000 or 3500tt minimum, and therefore the occassional need for street CPs.

SkyWest seems to be recruiting mostly for the RJ at this time. You'll have a 1 year seatlock before you could bid EMB CP. If you've never flown the EMB the upgrade will probably be a big challenge, as the upgrade program here is geared towards people who have flown it.