NotJB22

As a 50% FO I can say I've been getting F'ed by PBS. I bid pretty loosely and request just a specific days off and open it to absolutely everything. I can have layer 4 at 70% of the pairing and it will still drop down to PN'd trips because of BS line constraints. When I was at the bottom of guaranteed line holders I was able to get all my days off I requested. It's the middle of the pack that gets boned due to "coverage dates" PBS determines I have to fly. I needed literally just that one stretch of days 3-4 off and it gives me a PN'd trip over those days but a random 5 day block off on a totally different week that I don't even want.

I voted Yes, in hopes that it can fix this stupid "line constraint" issue. I'm not saying it will be rainbows and puppies but it certainly can't get any worse then what it is now. And if you vote "no" because you think you have PBS figured out perfectly, I guarantee you are in for a rude awakening at some point

elmetal

Exactly on point.

I found the 45-70% bidding percentage to be horrible. Above and below you pretty much get anything you want.

airlinepilotguy

How hard is it to become apart of a Chief Pilot's Office or apart of Pilot Recruitment within the first two years of being a pilot at SkyWest? Is it possible? How long would a pilot have to be at SkyWest in order to obtain one of those opportunities?

zondaracer

Pilot recruiter requires at least 1 year, but last year they had a ton of applications. Chief will take longer.

Utah

My experience has been different. I've been bidding middle of the pack since PBS started a decade ago. I typically get good lines. I've only had a CN once maybe 6 years or so ago, and only 2-3 PN trips as well. The last one 5+ years ago.

Now when I say a good line. I mean good for 40-50%. I sometimes think expectations are out of line with bidding % for some pilots. I don't expect weekends off if I bid certain types of pairings.... I can get the holidays off though, but will have to work the weekend after Thanksgiving, etc..

I know for certain that some of the pilots that complain do not know how to bid. Most of the problems can be narrowed down to bidding errors. --- And if it says the average line value is 87 don't expect to get 75 if you're not bidding in the top 20-30%. You probably shouldn't expect that nice of a line if you are not bidding in the top 20-30% as well.

Replaced due to line constraints. Did it take a lower paying pairing that might have been a good one and give you a higher paying less desirable to you 2,3, or 4 day, and then give your pairing to someone junior. Look to the line values and minimum credit you need and you'll have your answer.

elmetal

Meanwhile a newhire at southwest has 15 days off MINIMUM.

again, stop apologizing for the company.

word302

If you are 50% and bidding days off in all 7 layers, you are seeing yourself up for disappointment. Also don't forget your bidding percentage includes reserves as well. I figure out my percentage based on guaranteed line holders and add a buffer to that. Also remember opening your bid too 70% of the pairings does not mean 70% of the available credit. There are a high number of locals in my base, so I have to account for that as well.

disillusioned

That's is the exact thing that helped me decide to move on. In that range and not only could I not get 75 hours, but I was constantly getting required minimum line value of 87 to 88 hours. So you either bid for high value trips (which have dropped off over the past 6 months) or low value locals which may or not be picked up. The good part about option 2 is that when you have to call in to get a day off, you don't have that much user time taken.

Had I been able to get a good schedule or drop a trip here or there, I may have stuck around just to enjoy my kids as they are growing up. As it stands now, I expect to commute back east and still figure I'll have just as many days off as a junior reserve as I did with SW after 9 years. Plus there will be some hope of it getting better vs the realization that it will never get better.

Squallrider

Chief pilot itself is many years, same for assistant chief etc, flight operations supervisors just hired in Chicago are senior and experienced captains (have to act as chief pilot so makes sense). Recruitment last year supposedly had 700 apps and took 30. Best option starting out is being involved in forums and getting Sapa rep in my opinion, that could lead to more company related things. Another option is FO instructor, but that only helps if you don't need flight hours.

amcnd

Best way to those routes is get involved in training. They hire FO's to teach ground school. From there you can do FTD, Matrix, then Upgrade. They will make you a LCA (line check airman). Maybe get a Domicile sup job, then work up to other flight ops postions. Or move over to SCA (sim check airman). Lots of opertunites if you live in SLC or Denver and get involed. Volunteer for acting in videos ect..