Airsupport

thats exactly the point slaphappy doesn't get. Right now people say,, we need to be lower than mesa!!! pretty soon they are going to be saying,, "you guys do know that skywest flies the 700, and 900 for only a couple bucks more dont you,, we will never win flying unless we can beat that!!!" wake up slaphappy, you are diging your own grave with that poisenous talk

Slaphappy

Sorry skywest WONT be Alpa. They can't even get 1/3 of the cards back yet. Its failing miserably

reelbigchair

When comparing our rates to other carriers, please don't forget our profit sharing that we get and no one else does. It makes our 50 pay close to tops, and takes our 70 pay into industry standard. I know everyone on here likes to ignore F/O pay, but there aren't too many places you can make 35 an hour second year.(more like 36 with profit sharing). SkyWest pilots can not be blamed for lowering the bar in this industry. We continue to win contracts because of sound operations, good financial standing, and in the case of the midwest contract, a reputation for attention to customer service. Slaphappy does not speak for the SkyWest pilot group. Please ignore what he says.
As far as ALPA goes, I'm not sure if it will pass, but it is not failing miserably like Slappy says. I'm sure it will be a close vote when it happens.

freezingflyboy

Uhhhh...we get profit sharing at XJT...

JetJock16

Good, all airline pilots should. Unfortunately this is the first I've read about X-Jetters getting P-Sharing. How long do you have to be there until you qualify for the bonus, off probation?

XJPILOT1

I thought this thread was about MESABA?

rickair7777

Having done a careful comparison, SKW pilots are compensated better than 2/3 of the regional world. And for you drooling retards that are going to scream about hourly rates...there is a LOT more to it than that, and if you're that stupid I'm not going to try and explain it to you.

Our QOL has historically been even better, but that appears to be slipping a bit lately.

SKW is not enjoying success based primarily on low wages (al la mesa), it is one of the few regionals that is run professionally like a real business. This is important to me personally because I believe you can pay well and still succeed if you run an efficient shop and provide a good product.

My previous alpa experience leads me to suspect that alpa has a low probability of making any significant improvements at SKW, but they will take the 2% and could very easily turn the place into Mesa-b

I would be interested in alpa if:

1) SKW goes down the sh*tter. I know someone sitting in IAH, ATL, or CVG is going to tell me it already is, but it's really not. I'm at "work" right now and I'm about to go skiing...you would have to pay me $200K to work in IAH, EWR, CVG, ATL, etc.

2) APLA national takes some action:
a) Develops a NATIONAL plan to fix the regionals.
b) Implements and ENFORCES it.
c) Demonstrates some success with, perhaps, mesa!

JetJock16

I completely agree, be carefull, X-Jetters love to ATTACK.

Airsupport

its not just about the regionals. Its about the pilot group. A friend of mine was called to the chief pilots office at skywest a month or so ago. He had no idea why and they wouldn't tell him. He goes in and they start questioning him about something stupid his captain did a bit back (not a safety issue, just some choice words he had with a flight attendant). He didnt know how to answer or what to say. so he did what every new guy does, talk talk talk,,,, get the golden shovel man. Needless to say they weren't after him but after the captain. But he told me afterwards that it bugged him a lot to have no representation, no one to help him. you guys forget you mess up and get introuble thats permanent. I would rather have some union representation and lawyers on my side than to just sit there and have no form of protection. Remember it could be anything and they could let you go at skywest. YOU HAVE NO REAL PROTECTION. NO ONE TO BACK YOU UP. MY FRIEND THOUGHT HE WAS DONE FOR. and once you get fired from an airline,,, you can almost forget going anywhere else.

JetJock16

That's why we need a UNION. It's all about representation when things go wrong. An airline pilot’s career is very fragile; growing up in my family (airline family) I was treated to many examples of how a union can save your A$$ and not with my father but many friends of his. Yes, they do have some draw backs but when you're A$$ is on the line, it's nice to have representation beside you instead of having to go out and get it yourself (pay for it too). Having a union means that you’re not alone, they have been protection airline pilots of the better part of the sentry and will continue so for some time. It's what they do and their good at it.

Pilots are skilled labor that can be replaced, you may not believe that but it’s absolutely true, regardless of the # of qualified applicants. If you’re FIRED it will take you the better part of a decade to get rehired (121) and you’ll need to know someone on the inside. It’s sad but true, there is an unwritten law that says “Fired Pilots are Damaged Goods, DO NOT HIRE.”

Not that people often get fired hear, actually it's very rare, but when your A$$ isn't sitting there alone I'm sure that you'll be glad you paid that 2%.

"You never need representation until you need representation!"

My cards in and I will vote "YES," and hopefully there aren't too many Slaphappy's at SKW. BTW Slaphappy, regardless of what you may think the day will come when SKW will be union! Your views on other pilots and their situations make me sick. BUT, there are rotten apples in every bushel.