More SKW Questions

[Retired in SAN]

For the sake of us curious, would any Skywest Bro guy be comfortable posting their typical monthly bid/schedule for us to see. In layman's terms of course. More specifically someone based in PSP or LAX but anyone will do.

If not, all good..
Thanks you..

 

[Retired in SAN]

How about this, A one week bid from a Bro guy? Days on, before days off? Home at night or in a hotel? trips a day? Just trying to get an idea of life as a Bro guy.

Thanks

 

[Skåning]

 

[Drew Jensen]

Sorry I don't fly the bro, but if it's anything like the jet you can get what ever you want once your seniority can hold it. Junior is usually four day trips (four or five a month). You can fly three day, two day, one day, or a continuous duty stand up. SKW has a huge variety of trips. On the bro side I believe they have days with lots of legs maybe five or six legs per day. Not sure how part 117 has affected the long days though. Be patient a bro driver will see your post eventually.

 

[vheissu]

I was in PSP the last few months, and was a few from the bottom on reserve. Short call for a few months, and long call for one. Short call I was hardly ever used. I would go 2-3 weeks without flying regularly. Long call I was used a little more, but usually for a crappy local from commuters dropping their last leg in the hub.

Palm Springs is an outstation base, so the pairings aren't the greatest. A LOT of locals, then a mix of 2,3, and 4 days. If you live within 2 hrs of the airport, you'll be golden. I wouldn't recommend commuting to sit reserve there.

I am a lineholder in FAT now. This month I have all 4 day trips, 4-6 legs a day. Average credit for each 4 day is around 20 hrs.

 

[mrivc211]

ahhhhhh the brooooo

 

[GypsyPilot]

It's been several years since I was on the Bro, but I've attached one of the four day trips I did back then. I have no idea how much things have changed, but I typically did four of these a month. I always bid the PM (late show) trips, as I don't like getting up early.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

It's been several years since I was on the Bro, but I've attached one of the four day trips I did back then. I have no idea how much things have changed, but I typically did four of these a month. I always bid the PM (late show) trips, as I don't like getting up early.

It hasn't changed too much. The early 4-days in LAX this month are an 0900 day 1 report then 0500-0545ish for the rest of the days. It's tough for them to build 8-leg days with early AM shows, for instance. In fact, I haven't seen an 8-leg day since Part 117, but even before that point I hadn't seen one for a few months.

I'm a mid-seniority lineholder in LAX. What that means is I don't have a typical schedule, although I usually manage to scrape together 3- and 4-day trips that are much like what GypsyPilot has. Depending on the contents of the bid package, life is either great (last month) or less than spectacular (this month). They snuck split duty overnights back into the bid package for February, which has had a downward effect on most everyone's QOL (for those that don't want SDOs, anyway - like me and most other `commuters').

Last month I had 5 4-day trips (one of which was carry-out into February) with good cadence, purity, and partial weekends off. This month - "What's a weekend?"

Still beats being on reserve any day of the week and twice on Saturday afternoons, though.

 

[vheissu]

Here is a recent four day from PSP.

 

[SeanD]

Here is a recent four day from PSP.

You would think theyd at least give you SLEEP for Xmas.

 

[Retired in SAN]

It's been several years since I was on the Bro, but I've attached one of the four day trips I did back then. I have no idea how much things have changed, but I typically did four of these a month. I always bid the PM (late show) trips, as I don't like getting up early.

Outstanding Information! Thank you. How does reserve work? Are there days designated that you are on call followed by so many hard days off in between? What are "split duty overnights"? Or "Locals"? "SDOs"?

I apologise if some of the answers should be obvious. Compared to my last flying career, this is all a brand new game for me. Thanks for sharing the schedule "V".

Much appreciate the info. I'm looking at possibly retiring with a regional because of my age.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

Outstanding Information! Thank you. How does reserve work? Are there days designated that you are on call followed by so many hard days off in between? What are "split duty overnights"? Or "Locals"? "SDOs"?

I apologise if some of the answers should be obvious. Compared to my last flying career, this is all a brand new game for me. Thanks for sharing the schedule "V".

Much appreciate the info. I'm looking at possibly retiring with a regional because of my age.

SDOs, split duty overnights. Go somewhere, have a nap, go home early in the morning.

Locals are one-day trips (no overnights). If you live more than about 30 minutes from the airport, you'll learn to loathe SDOs and locals and love 3- and 4-day trips.

 

[etflies]

Outstanding Information! Thank you. How does reserve work? Are there days designated that you are on call followed by so many hard days off in between? What are "split duty overnights"? Or "Locals"? "SDOs"?

I apologise if some of the answers should be obvious. Compared to my last flying career, this is all a brand new game for me. Thanks for sharing the schedule "V".

Much appreciate the info. I'm looking at possibly retiring with a regional because of my age.

Reserve is how you described it. When you bid, you can put the reserve lines in order of whichever one you want most, to least. Short call is a 2hr call-out and you have 10min to call back. These lines are broken into AM (4a-4p) or PM (9a-9p) usually for blocks of 4 or 5 days with a anywhere from 2-4 days off after. Long call is a 12hr call out and you have an hour (I think) to return the call. The on/off days work the same.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

Reserve is how you described it. When you bid, you can put the reserve lines in order of whichever one you want most, to least. Short call is a 2hr call-out and you have 10min to call back. These lines are broken into AM (4a-4p) or PM (9a-9p) usually for blocks of 4 or 5 days with a anywhere from 2-4 days off after. Long call is a 12hr call out and you have an hour (I think) to return the call. The on/off days work the same.

Accurate description, although I've seen PM be 1000-2200 as well.

LCR is either great or lousy, depending. Also, Long Call Reserves can be converted to Short Call "I forget" days/month, so keep that in mind.

 

[Lee D]

It's been several years since I was on the Bro, but I've attached one of the four day trips I did back then. I have no idea how much things have changed, but I typically did four of these a month. I always bid the PM (late show) trips, as I don't like getting up early.

I did seven years on the Bro, six in SLC and about one year based in FAT. The schedule for a 4 day trip that Gypsy posted here is a pretty standard representation for what I experienced with 4 day trips. I don't believe things have changed much. The EMB typically does more legs per trip than the jet, say about 16 to 20 flights in a 4 day trip. I did lots of 3 day trips to when I could. They usually were very busy and started fairly early and ended late. So great if you lived in base but not for a commute.

I'm with Autothrust on the "Stand ups or SDO's." You go into work late and come back early and do two flights. If you live close to the airport they can be a good way to stay home most of the day. BUT they can go very senior depending on the base.

If you live in SAN then the LAX or PSP bases would probably work fairly well for you once you had a line. I'm LAX based (CRJ) and lots of guys live down in SAN. Good luck!!!

 

[Lee D]

Here is a recent four day from PSP.

Lots of legs there, but really nice credit vs. TAFB (Time away from base)!! In my book any 4 day trip that is around 70+- hours TAFB is ideal.

 

[Autothrust Blue]

I did seven years on the Bro, six in SLC and about one year based in FAT. The schedule for a 4 day trip that Gypsy posted here is a pretty standard representation for what I experienced with 4 day trips. I don't believe things have changed much. The EMB typically does more legs per trip than the jet, say about 16 to 20 flights in a 4 day trip. I did lots of 3 day trips to when I could. They usually were very busy and started fairly early and ended late. So great if you lived in base but not for a commute.

Yep. The legs/duty period thing is just the nature of the beast. Incidentally, you're going to get really good at flying the Brasilia, really quickly - or you'll be a pain in the ass, there's really no middle ground on that.

I'm with Autothrust on the "Stand ups or SDO's." You go into work late and come back early and do two flights. If you live close to the airport they can be a good way to stay home most of the day. BUT they can go very senior depending on the base.

Our CLD (yes, we have a Carlsbad standup, of all things) one signs in at 2135 and releases at 0710 or thereabouts (with minor variations thanks to Bain Capital "optimizing" United's schedule, but that's generally average). I'm not a fan on many levels, mostly because Carlsbad is a great overnight, and because mid-seniority guys in Los Angeles tend to get hosed when they add SDOs to the bid packages. (They were sprinkled liberally across my bid award this month. I was mad.)

If you live in SAN then the LAX or PSP bases would probably work fairly well for you once you had a line. I'm LAX based (CRJ) and lots of guys live down in SAN. Good luck!!!

Yeah, it's basically SKW country out here.

 

[Retired in SAN]

Sorry I don't fly the bro, but if it's anything like the jet you can get what ever you want once your seniority can hold it. Junior is usually four day trips (four or five a month). You can fly three day, two day, one day, or a continuous duty stand up. SKW has a huge variety of trips. On the bro side I believe they have days with lots of legs maybe five or six legs per day. Not sure how part 117 has affected the long days though. Be patient a bro driver will see your post eventually.

Drew, what is continuous stand up?

Thanks

 

[Autothrust Blue]

Drew, what is continuous stand up?

Thanks

Read all about it...

 

[Retired in SAN]

Thanks all, for the info. Think I have what I need.

Safe flights!