career regional pilot vs. stepping stone
12-09-2017, 01:47 PM
#1
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career regional pilot vs. stepping stone
Just a curious questions rattling in my brain. At the regionals, would it be fair to say that the large majority, figure 80%, are pilots looking to only build time/experience for a few years then bounce over to the majors?? I'm curious if some Skywest pilots can comment on this.
What percentage of the Skywest pilots are staying put, making Skywest a career vs. moving on to the majors??
Thanks in advance.
What percentage of the Skywest pilots are staying put, making Skywest a career vs. moving on to the majors??
Thanks in advance.
12-09-2017, 02:14 PM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
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It varies between regionals. Horizon probably had the highest percentage of lifers... location, location, location. I'd guess well over 50% (many of them would move but only to Alaska, which owns them)
SKW used to be smaller and more of a career place, when I started it was maybe 50% lifers. I went there hoping that I could stay if necessary or if I was to lazy to move on later. That changed when the place more than doubled in size. Some of the original lifers have had a change of heart and left, and most of the recent hires have no illusionss about staying.
Some of that is driven by changes for the worse, especially QOL, as well as increasing major airline opportunity. Some self-proclaimed lifers change their tune pretty quick when somebody actually calls them...
Other regionals, maybe 20-40% intentional lifers, some of whom have skeletons and cannot move on.
XJT/ASA probably had more than 50% at one time. Maybe Air Whiskey too?
SKW used to be smaller and more of a career place, when I started it was maybe 50% lifers. I went there hoping that I could stay if necessary or if I was to lazy to move on later. That changed when the place more than doubled in size. Some of the original lifers have had a change of heart and left, and most of the recent hires have no illusionss about staying.
Some of that is driven by changes for the worse, especially QOL, as well as increasing major airline opportunity. Some self-proclaimed lifers change their tune pretty quick when somebody actually calls them...
Other regionals, maybe 20-40% intentional lifers, some of whom have skeletons and cannot move on.
XJT/ASA probably had more than 50% at one time. Maybe Air Whiskey too?
12-09-2017, 03:15 PM
#3
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Some have called themselves lifers and then many changed their minds. The pay gap between regionals and majors have widened dramatically over the past 5 or so years. While majors have seen a stark percentage increase, regionals haven't had the same except for first-year pay in many cases.
It goes beyond that I think for many. Some are happy with their current QOL, but in the regional world, a lot of that can change on a whim. Longtime bases and consistent schedules can disrupt themselves. Many feel if they're going to go through the hassle of learning a new plane, changing bases, or work more days, they'd rather do it with the pay and benefits at the majors.
What Rickair said is very true. There's quite a process to try to get to a major that many don't want to go down. However, if the interview opportunity presents itself, it's harder for them to turn it down.
It goes beyond that I think for many. Some are happy with their current QOL, but in the regional world, a lot of that can change on a whim. Longtime bases and consistent schedules can disrupt themselves. Many feel if they're going to go through the hassle of learning a new plane, changing bases, or work more days, they'd rather do it with the pay and benefits at the majors.
What Rickair said is very true. There's quite a process to try to get to a major that many don't want to go down. However, if the interview opportunity presents itself, it's harder for them to turn it down.
12-10-2017, 03:19 AM
#4
You scratched my anchor
Joined APC: Feb 2011
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I just flew with a CA at my airline that had been here 30 years. He’s making 260/hour with 14-16 days off a month. We were out west and he was talking about the “old days” at SkyWest. He made a comment that surprised me “I wish I stayed at SkyWest. I would have been fine financially and the airline has done well.” He was one of the first few pilots at SKYW but left for greener pastures. I know things have changed drastically, but if you find your fit...
If you fly with a REAL old timer there ask them about Navajo Bridge.
If you fly with a REAL old timer there ask them about Navajo Bridge.
12-10-2017, 05:51 AM
#5
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I just flew with a CA at my airline that had been here 30 years. He’s making 260/hour with 14-16 days off a month. We were out west and he was talking about the “old days” at SkyWest. He made a comment that surprised me “I wish I stayed at SkyWest. I would have been fine financially and the airline has done well.” He was one of the first few pilots at SKYW but left for greener pastures. I know things have changed drastically, but if you find your fit...
If you fly with a REAL old timer there ask them about Navajo Bridge.
If you fly with a REAL old timer there ask them about Navajo Bridge.
One of my navy buds tried to get on with SKW when he got out. They didn't hire him, so he ended up at his second choice, UAL flying 74's until they went away last month. Of course his wife wanted to live in SGU, so he commuted from there.
But things have changed over time, SKW QOL has been diluted as it grew and the other regionals have rapidly enhanced QOL to compete for pilots.
12-10-2017, 07:02 AM
#7
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I'd say the fast majority of pilots leaving SkyWest have a seniority number of 1000+. 1000 on the seniority list is also over 11 years with the company.
Every month one of our pilots puts out a list of those that have left in the past month. Hardly anyone with a seniority number under 500 is on it unless it's a retirement.
I thought I'd be here for life, but with shrinking of the SLC domicile my QOL isn't what it use to be and I'm not willing to continue my career in SLC with what it's at. I either need to change domiciles for better relative seniority or get another job where the better pay will make up for the schedule. - and I've got a seniority# in the 300s.
For the last 5-8 years I haven't had to use an overnight bag but several times a year. If I'm going to do trips I don't want to do them here.
Every month one of our pilots puts out a list of those that have left in the past month. Hardly anyone with a seniority number under 500 is on it unless it's a retirement.
I thought I'd be here for life, but with shrinking of the SLC domicile my QOL isn't what it use to be and I'm not willing to continue my career in SLC with what it's at. I either need to change domiciles for better relative seniority or get another job where the better pay will make up for the schedule. - and I've got a seniority# in the 300s.
For the last 5-8 years I haven't had to use an overnight bag but several times a year. If I'm going to do trips I don't want to do them here.
12-10-2017, 08:58 AM
#8
Banned
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I'd say the fast majority of pilots leaving SkyWest have a seniority number of 1000+. 1000 on the seniority list is also over 11 years with the company.
Every month one of our pilots puts out a list of those that have left in the past month. Hardly anyone with a seniority number under 500 is on it unless it's a retirement.
I thought I'd be here for life, but with shrinking of the SLC domicile my QOL isn't what it use to be and I'm not willing to continue my career in SLC with what it's at. I either need to change domiciles for better relative seniority or get another job where the better pay will make up for the schedule. - and I've got a seniority# in the 300s.
For the last 5-8 years I haven't had to use an overnight bag but several times a year. If I'm going to do trips I don't want to do them here.
Every month one of our pilots puts out a list of those that have left in the past month. Hardly anyone with a seniority number under 500 is on it unless it's a retirement.
I thought I'd be here for life, but with shrinking of the SLC domicile my QOL isn't what it use to be and I'm not willing to continue my career in SLC with what it's at. I either need to change domiciles for better relative seniority or get another job where the better pay will make up for the schedule. - and I've got a seniority# in the 300s.
For the last 5-8 years I haven't had to use an overnight bag but several times a year. If I'm going to do trips I don't want to do them here.
This place just gets worse and worse, in little increments, every day!
The block to credit differential just grows by just a minute or two every month! Simple robbery!
12-10-2017, 08:59 AM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,238
I agree with SLC base being on a downhill slide 149 guaranteed lines. Thats north of 18 years i bet...Im to the point i would rather commute to a major the be in SLC as a Captain at OO... was a good ride. Ready for something different...
12-10-2017, 09:20 AM
#10
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I've got a couple of days with block of 7:04 and 7:07 and credit only in the 5:45 range. Yet we have pilots that don't see this as a problem. And every other airline out there would pay this at 7:04 and 7:07.
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