Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Friendliest aviation Ccmmunity on the web
  • Modern site for PC's, Phones, Tablets - no 3rd party apps required
  • Ask questions, help others, promote aviation
  • Share the passion for aviation
  • Invite everyone to Flightinfo.com and let's have fun

Time for another lame airline vs. airline thread, this time SKW vs. Eagle

Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Modern secure site, no 3rd party apps required
  • Invite your friends
  • Share the passion of aviation
  • Friendliest aviation community on the web
Register   Log in
Goose Egg

Goose Egg

Big Jens
Joined
Jul 21, 2004
Posts
1,719
Ok folks, this time it's for real, well at least for me. Here's my situation:

Applied, interviewed, and offered a job at Eagle. Should have a class date pending CA's review tomorrow. (Congrats to all those in my interview group--we all seemed pretty strong, and I was actually pretty surprised at age 30 to be one of the youngest ones there, but I digress.) Selected ORD as a base, and plan on commuting from SLC (7-8 flights per day, long flight, but shouldn't have a lot of trouble getting on one. Commuting sucks, but this one shouldn't be bad, as far as commutes go.) I was really impressed with the operation there in DFW and actually left pretty excited about being part of the AMR family. The interview was stressful, at least the paperwork part of it, and I'd like it to actually count for something.

I applied at SkyWest the same day that I applied at Eagle, and it took them a couple weeks to offer an interview. At first, I got an email that said that I'd been invited to SLC for a group interview, and I thought that I'd have to pay my own way. I chose a date, and it turns out that I had been invited for the full-blown interview, with an offer for space-positive travel arrangements (sweet!) So that will happen sometime next week. I would have been sweating this, but having an offer at another airline that I'd really like to work at takes all the stress out of it.

I'm wanting SLC as a base or commuting platform, because my NH native girlfriend will be in school in the area for the next couple years (hint: Go Cougars!) If I blow the SkyWest interview, then I guess it's a no-brainer. If they both offer, then I have some decisions to make. First year pay for an FO at SKW is pretty crappy, but they promise really good pay in the 2nd year, and a relatively quick upgrade... as I type this anyway--it could all change tomorrow!

Eagle pays much better the first year, and I've been hearing that reserve at ORD is fairly short, although I could be wrong. The upgrade is longer than at SkyWest though, but not nearly as long as it used to be.. at least as I type this--it could all change tomorrow!

So, I guess the question is whether commuting is worth the (much) better FO pay, and if remaining in SLC is in the long range plan. (I grew up in SLC, so I'm not a stranger to it and I miss my mountains every day. However, spending 6 years in the East has gotten me accustomed to these green things called trees and this other cool thing called water. UT doesn't really have much of either--I think the PacNW would be perfect for me... but Horizon isn't hiring!!)

Any comments would be welcomed. I even enjoy the odd sarcastic comment.

Take care,
Goose
 
Goose Egg said:
Ok folks, this time it's for real, well at least for me. Here's my situation:

Applied, interviewed, and offered a job at Eagle. Should have a class date pending CA's review tomorrow. (Congrats to all those in my interview group--we all seemed pretty strong, and I was actually pretty surprised at age 30 to be one of the youngest ones there, but I digress.) Selected ORD as a base, and plan on commuting from SLC (7-8 flights per day, long flight, but shouldn't have a lot of trouble getting on one. Commuting sucks, but this one shouldn't be bad, as far as commutes go.) I was really impressed with the operation there in DFW and actually left pretty excited about being part of the AMR family. The interview was stressful, at least the paperwork part of it, and I'd like it to actually count for something.

I applied at SkyWest the same day that I applied at Eagle, and it took them a couple weeks to offer an interview. At first, I got an email that said that I'd been invited to SLC for a group interview, and I thought that I'd have to pay my own way. I chose a date, and it turns out that I had been invited for the full-blown interview, with an offer for space-positive travel arrangements (sweet!) So that will happen sometime next week. I would have been sweating this, but having an offer at another airline that I'd really like to work at takes all the stress out of it.

I'm wanting SLC as a base or commuting platform, because my NH native girlfriend will be in school in the area for the next couple years (hint: Go Cougars!) If I blow the SkyWest interview, then I guess it's a no-brainer. If they both offer, then I have some decisions to make. First year pay for an FO at SKW is pretty crappy, but they promise really good pay in the 2nd year, and a relatively quick upgrade... as I type this anyway--it could all change tomorrow!

Eagle pays much better the first year, and I've been hearing that reserve at ORD is fairly short, although I could be wrong. The upgrade is longer than at SkyWest though, but not nearly as long as it used to be.. at least as I type this--it could all change tomorrow!

So, I guess the question is whether commuting is worth the (much) better FO pay, and if remaining in SLC is in the long range plan. (I grew up in SLC, so I'm not a stranger to it and I miss my mountains every day. However, spending 6 years in the East has gotten me accustomed to these green things called trees and this other cool thing called water. UT doesn't really have much of either--I think the PacNW would be perfect for me... but Horizon isn't hiring!!)

Any comments would be welcomed. I even enjoy the odd sarcastic comment.

Take care,
Goose
Click to expand...






If you like the PacNW, you might like our PDX domicile?!
 
nope, go to skyw. fo pay sucks all around. make it through the first year and you will still have a GF, commute, and GF goes bye bye, but you make 400 more a month.


on another note, there is no reason to have a gf, because you will be nose deep in hot fas
 
Goose -
First of all, BYU licks my ballz.

Second, I'd probably hold out for SkyWest if I were you. Say you'd be commuting out of SLC, you'd have to have a crashpad in ORD for a while, which would negate the higher Eagle pay - not to mention eating on the road all the time and the stress of commuting. It is also quite possible you could get assigned the S340 in JFK and life would be hell commuting from SLC. Its a crapshoot like anything else.

It wasn't very long ago at all when I was trying to make these decisions for myself. Unfortunately, it's a decision that has to be purely up to you, since you have your own motivations. If being in SLC, close to family, your girl, hometown is important - I think you have your answer.

I had some other opportunities before SkyWest and held out for a little while because I thought this was the place for me to be. I AM VERY GLAD I DID.

Give the SkyWest interview a shot. If you don't make it, then go to Eagle and you can always make up your mind from there.
 
MarineGrunt said:
Give the SkyWest interview a shot. If you don't make it, then go to Eagle and you can always make up your mind from there.
Click to expand...

That's the plan. I guess I'm just posting here so I can be well-informed. I'll shoot you that PM when I know the exact date of the interview (I requested a change and they haven't gotten back to me.)

Being close to hometown, old friends, family is marginal. My folks are wonderful people, but I don't think they really miss me that much... not in a bad way, but I think they are enjoying their "empty-nest" status--some parents have a lot of trouble with that, but not my folks!! I love it back home, but like I said, I love it here in New England (particularly NH) just as much, and I'm sure I'll love other parts of the country. I could love Dallas, Chicago, Cleveland etc., etc. (I couldn't love LGA.) Being close to the girl is good, but honestly she'll be so busy with school... I'm just glad that I have a way to see her at all. For a while there it seemed like I'd see her every once every semester. Now it looks like a few days a week. She's a science major, and a motivated one at that, so most of her time is already spoken for. The commute will work for now. It's a distinct possibility that I bail for a frac after I get 2500 total anyway, so the commute then will be a whole different ballgame.

On the other hand, SKW (and Delta) are the airlines that I dreamed about flying for as a kid growing up in the area, and it's cool to have that chance to fly there. The quick upgrade doesn't hurt either.

Anyway, I'll give SkyWest an honest chance. I'll go to the interview, and see how I feel... and how the interviewer feels. ;)

-Goose
 
Last edited:
CoAlpha said:
on another note, there is no reason to have a gf, because you will be nose deep in hot fas
Click to expand...

Not so much of a factor for me... (hint: Go Cougars!)
Besides, it's been a good while since I saw a hot FA, at least at a regional.

-Goose
 
Last edited:
well, if you go to AE, at least you can still respect yourself in the morning!!!!!!
 
Um..........it's a Regional.....there is no repect.
 
I spent 5 years at Eagle commuting to ORD from SLC. It Sucked. I'm now at SkyWest and as happy as can be!!
 
Yea, I was going to say, considering how many people have jumped ship from AE to SKW speaks for itself. I doubt there is that many the other way around.

But, beware. We do have some problems in the company right now. Don't go buying a big Koolair pitcher just yet.

Still, about the best regiuonal to work for in my opinion. (just ain't sayng much these days)
 
If you lived in Dallas, I'd tell you to go to Eagle, but you live in SLC so the answer is Skywest.

Avoid commuting at all costs.
 
Open wallet, watch moths fly out! :)

If you have to ask, then you can NOT afford to take this job!

Get ready for top roman, and mac/cheese... :)

Remember my take home was about $350 a week, paid twice monthly..very sad..yet probably consistent with most regionals, sadly...

Don't forget your earplugs, since you will be sharing a hotel room with another underpaid first year FO and he will probably snore. Oh yeah, and a big half dollar, so you can flip for the sofa bed....
 
Last edited:
If you can take a job that will allow you to live in base take it! Eagle is a great place to work, but I sure as hell would not commute out of SLC for it. Just as I would not commute out of ORD to SLC to work at SKW
 
DGdaPilot said:
DON'T COMMUTE UNLESS NECESSARY! Not even for a Capt. upgrade..........
Click to expand...

Well, I guess if I get an offer at SKW, it won't be necessary!! I feel pretty good about that decision. And it's nice to have a back up with Eagle if things didn't work out in the SKW interview. Thanks everyone for all your input.

-Goose
 
No brainer. Assuming you have both offers, it's SkyWest hands down. I left Eagle after yr. one and I made as much if not more at SKYW on first year pay. The pay rules here are better. It's hard to compare based solely on hourly rates.

As far as sharing a room in training, yes that sucks, but you'll do it at Eagle too.

I left Eagle for two reasons. Upgrade and basic QOL. The main QOL difference for me is the lack of the negative vibe that AMR/Eagle breeds. It's easy to succumb to...
 
Burt Reynolds said:
No brainer. Assuming you have both offers, it's SkyWest hands down. I left Eagle after yr. one and I made as much if not more at SKYW on first year pay. The pay rules here are better. It's hard to compare based solely on hourly rates.

As far as sharing a room in training, yes that sucks, but you'll do it at Eagle too.

I left Eagle for two reasons. Upgrade and basic QOL. The main QOL difference for me is the lack of the negative vibe that AMR/Eagle breeds. It's easy to succumb to...
Click to expand...
Just wondering how the difference in pay equates to you making more first year at SKW over Ealge? I have a lot of friends at SKW, I seem to average about 550 dollars more a month. Not that it is a big difference, but it does help, but the difference in pay does not make up for not having to commute.
The attitude of the pilot group has improved dramatically, with the flowbies leaving and the rapidly decreasing upgrade time, and the feeling that those with numbers are going to flow through starting in December has made Eagle a very positive place to work.
SKW is a great place from what I have heard, when choosing a regional it came down to choosing between Eagle and SKW, I knew I could hold ORD right out of training and with SKW it was looking like it would be Fresno.
 
I echo the sentiment about trying not to commute. That should be a big factor in your decision. With that said, I've spent a considerable part of my 15+ years at Eagle commuting. It wasn't ideal, but I have to admit that I got accustomed to it somewhat. Overall, I've enjoyed working here. I really have. Much of it is in one's attitude and not letting the negativity take hold. Siucavflight has it right. Attitudes seem to be changing here because there seems to be a light at the end of the long tunnel.
 
Most junior Eagle jet captain 1999 hire, most junior SKW captain July 2006 hire! One simple sentence is all you need to make this glaringly obvious decision!
 
pipejockey said:
Most junior Eagle jet captain 1999 hire, most junior SKW captain July 2006 hire! One simple sentence is all you need to make this glaringly obvious decision!
Click to expand...
Does that possibly mean that one company is better to work at then the other. Mesa 1900 pilots upgrade after 6 months. Why shouldnt he work there?
 
My dad can beat up your dad. Jesus...what a rock solid group of professionals we are. Me v. you. That is why all of our pay sucks. As soon as we turn this into us v. Mgmt/shareholders it all gets better.

Do whats best for you personally, then congratulate your fellow airmen for their decision and stop pitting us all against each other. Hard to beat the system when we all stand here waiting.

Put your cell phone away during your pre-flight, put the ipod away when you are in uniform, wear your uniform like your going to work...not a nightclub....AND GET INVOLVED. Maybe then mngmt. and shareholders will stop laughing at us all the way to the bank.

Rant off.

W
 
siucavflight said:
Does that possibly mean that one company is better to work at then the other. Mesa 1900 pilots upgrade after 6 months. Why shouldnt he work there?
Click to expand...

If he lived in a mesa domicile then I say yes, work for mesa. Get your PIC time and get the hell out of the regional industry! Use Mesa like they use you. Basically use any regional as they use you. Why not? The regionals have clearly shown that they do not want to be considered a final destination, as evidenced by Eagle trying to get rid of senior Captains.

I can just hear now the Eagle interviewer asking where this prospective new hire see's himself in 5 years, and he says, well hopefully upgrade in 3 or 4 years, get my 1000 hours PIC and in about 5 years I'll get the heck out of here to a place where I can make a career! Interviewer says, "thats all I need to hear young man, YOU'RE HIRED!! Welcome aboard, you just better not stay too long''.
 
Hey marine grunt

First of all BYU Rocks! second of all MARINE GRUNT no one wants to know who's whatever you lick or who's arse you kiss. LOL. Skywest is a great company I would go for that and the quick upgrade time!
 
walangtakot said:
First of all BYU Rocks! second of all MARINE GRUNT no one wants to know who's whatever you lick or who's arse you kiss. LOL. Skywest is a great company I would go for that and the quick upgrade time!
Click to expand...
No offense, but any regional is a good regional when you're a hungry CFI.
 
pipejockey said:
I can just hear now the Eagle interviewer asking where this prospective new hire see's himself in 5 years, and he says, well hopefully upgrade in 3 or 4 years, get my 1000 hours PIC and in about 5 years I'll get the heck out of here to a place where I can make a career!
Click to expand...

Well, I didn't get asked that, but that's what I would have said if I did.

-Goose
 

Share this page

Latest posts

Latest resources

Latest media

Carbon Cub FX-3 Shenandoah Valley
Carbon Cub at Kittyhawk
FX-3 in the backcountry
IFR Panel in a Carbon Cub FX-3
Cub-Provo-UT-c.jpg
Back
Top Bottom