rcfd13

The latest rumor I heard from someone in the training department is a possible new hire class in August or September. Take that with a grain of salt. I won't try to pretend it's anything more than a rumor, but it is more encouraging that the previous rumors saying no classes for the rest of the year.

cactipilot

Thanks- any legit info is better than none for those in the "pool". I really don't want to hop over to some shady operation that I've heard NOTHING good about and promises to dim any enjoyment of the circus that the regional industry is (yes, RAH, I'm looking at you) but I'm not going to wait forever. Yes, shame on you, Skywest pilots- don't selfishly hog up all the "good" life please. (Didn't you guys hear, they're hiring at the majors!?)

What

Almost every regional is hiring today, SKW is not hiring for a reason. It could be that they are waiting as they transition from 50 seaters to Ejets or it could be that many 50 seater are leaving property with no replacements. SKW is a great company but it is not what it used to be in years past and it will likely take a hit in the near future as mainlines continue to beat down regionals. Don't wait forever but go to a place that you could live with for a long time because there are many variables besides just majors shuffling airframes. A busted type ride, missed crossing restriction or something else could cost you a shot at a major for years...

rcfd13

A regional is a regional. The 'best' regionals 10 years ago are mostly either gone now or close to bankrupcy. The 'best' regionals today could be in the same position in another 10 years. The 'worst' regionals today might be the best place to be in 10 years.

It's really impossible to predict the industry and not a good idea to pass up job offers because you assume Skywest might be the best place to work in a few years. It could be, but it just as easily may not be.

You should maybe consider holding out for Skywest if you live on the west coast, but if domicile isn't an issue then you shouldn't be letting hundreds of other pilots get ahead of you in seniority. Get on someone's list and start building seniority.

fullflank

Are you a west coast guy? If not, air whisky is hiring and their contract is as good if not better than skywest. I wouldnt sit around waiting for one regional to call but thats just me. I waited a year for comair to call, luckily I took a job elsewhere at the time.

cactipilot

Thanks - I'm of the opinion that this whole side of the industry is like saying minimum security prison is better then medium security... The point is, you're still in prison so gtfo ASAP I'm trying to stave off a certain and possibly prolonged quality of life decrease due to domicile issues. If not, I'd be all over the other options out there. Option two is choose the carrier with the shortest line holding time and at least enjoy high quality certainty and time off. I just moved and may go daffy if I pack up and have to move east coast or mid west right now! Skywest WAS a sure thing, with the smooth talking recruiting and all. Then nothing- squawking 7600 isn't good to your future employees, it seems.

JustAMushroom

You sure do have a messed up way of looking at things. Not all regionals are miserable shops. Once you've been at a few or been at this a while you'd understand. There are one or two out there that you could make a career. I anticipate your comments about whipsaw etc etc and I agree. But, compare a United or American guy who got hired in 2000 to a SkyW guy hired same day? QOL is way better, and furlough vs $85k/yr averaged. I think if you believe the majors will suddenly bring you happiness and purpose, you might be disappointed. Just like assuming all regionals would bring misery. Having said all that, I would go to Delta or the like in a heart beat.

Just making the point, some shops are awful and adversarial. Other are good places to work.

What

It's all how you look at it.

Two pilots walk into INDOC day one in 2000, one at SkyWest he other one at American. A year later one is furlough while the other is seeing his airline grow. The furlough pilot could have gone to SKW or another regional during the furlough but he would likely have gone elsewhere. Fast forward to 2013, AA pilot back to AA with a good amount of attrition head of him, the SKW what it seems like a shrinking industry and reduction of benefits fighting with thousands of pilots for jobs at the legacy carriers. You won't know if you made the right choice or if things worked out your way until you retire and look back. You have a valid point but there are many variables.

What if that AA pilot went to JetBlue and is a Captain there, waiting until things shake out no later than Summer 2016 to come back to AA?

rcfd13

It depends on how you look at it. The SKW pilot might make 85k after 13 years, but the AA or United pilot will be making that as a year 2 FO on reserve. Spending 13 years building up from 15k to 85k vs basically starting there will put even the reserve AA pilot far far ahead in terms of total compensation earned.

The AA pilot has spent all 13 years on reserve while the SKW pilot is a senior captain, but the AA pilot will win out in every other category.

You're also talking about people high up on the seniority list at SKW. When it comes to anyone on the FO pay scale or any junior captain sitting reserve most of them feel like they're going to have the same quality of life at AA (junior/reserve/etc) but they'll get a massive pay raise by doing it. Same work more pay.

If I were making 85k/year and bidding top 10 in base I might think about staying too. When I make 30k/year and bid 60% in base it's an easier decision to leave.

cactipilot

Well put...!