Oh Skywest

[🦈💜]

That seniority thing is weird. If you have resigned you can conditionally come back with your old seniority?

Having asked this, more or less, I believe the answer was no. (The actual response was "It's more complicated than that. There's a process, but you can't really un-resign. Call me and we can talk about how that works." (paraphrased))

However, you do, theoretically, get credit for years in service at a 121 carrier, meaning you can be at, say, year 10 pay with year 1 seniority.

I left because of QOL, not pay. Their new TA is bragging about getting twelve guaranteed days off a month ("best in the industry"), at the low, low price of notification via EFB. Translation: You're going to get twelve, and exactly twelve, days off per month, every month, dispensed in the most awkward possible areas, and we're going to fly your tails off the rest of the month. We don't have a commuter clause, and you're not going to be able to drop, swap, or trade anything. We're also removing pilot profit sharing, and ending our previously-announced retention bonuses."

There's a lot about SkyWest that I really did love, but I simply can't go back to that... even if it resigning from OO means my flying career is basically kaput.

 

[Ian_J]

Anyone see these new Mesa pay rates?!? SkyWest sent out their TA to the pilot group the other day and in comparison failed miserably.View attachment 66486View attachment 66487

That’s awesome! For that kind of cash hopefully they can start making welcome aboard announcements and start turning off the seatbelt sign in cruise to help the brand!

 

[Wardogg]

Having asked this, more or less, I believe the answer was no. (The actual response was "It's more complicated than that. There's a process, but you can't really un-resign. Call me and we can talk about how that works." (paraphrased))

However, you do, theoretically, get credit for years in service at a 121 carrier, meaning you can be at, say, year 10 pay with year 1 seniority.

I left because of QOL, not pay. Their new TA is bragging about getting twelve guaranteed days off a month ("best in the industry"), at the low, low price of notification via EFB. Translation: You're going to get twelve, and exactly twelve, days off per month, every month, dispensed in the most awkward possible areas, and we're going to fly your tails off the rest of the month. We don't have a commuter clause, and you're not going to be able to drop, swap, or trade anything. We're also removing pilot profit sharing, and ending our previously-announced retention bonuses."

There's a lot about SkyWest that I really did love, but I simply can't go back to that... even if it resigning from OO means my flying career is basically kaput.

In the immortal words of Jake Chambers, "Go then, there are other worlds than these."

I think I worked 12 days this month.
YMMV but there are other flying jobs to be had.

 

[Cory Trevor]

Having asked this, more or less, I believe the answer was no. (The actual response was "It's more complicated than that. There's a process, but you can't really un-resign. Call me and we can talk about how that works." (paraphrased))

However, you do, theoretically, get credit for years in service at a 121 carrier, meaning you can be at, say, year 10 pay with year 1 seniority.

I left because of QOL, not pay. Their new TA is bragging about getting twelve guaranteed days off a month ("best in the industry"), at the low, low price of notification via EFB. Translation: You're going to get twelve, and exactly twelve, days off per month, every month, dispensed in the most awkward possible areas, and we're going to fly your tails off the rest of the month. We don't have a commuter clause, and you're not going to be able to drop, swap, or trade anything. We're also removing pilot profit sharing, and ending our previously-announced retention bonuses."

There's a lot about SkyWest that I really did love, but I simply can't go back to that... even if it resigning from OO means my flying career is basically kaput.

I think he was talking about the seniority clause in the Mesa TA

 

[Maximilian_Jenius]

So what's the reason that all the regionals are suddenly making livable wages? Not that, that's bad. But is is sustainable? What's the end game? If there is one. I guess what I'm asking, what everyone is asking. Why now?

 

[MikeD]

So what's the reason that all the regionals are suddenly making livable wages? Not that, that's bad. But is is sustainable? What's the end game? If there is one. I guess what I'm asking, what everyone is asking. Why now?

Because Jonathan Ornstein has turned a new leaf, deeply cares about his pilots, and wants to pay them far above fair wage.

 

[🦈💜]

I think he was talking about the seniority clause in the Mesa TA

Ah, ok. The thread was about SkyWest, so I just assumed ... but that makes sense.

I have no idea about Mesa.

 

[🦈💜]

So what's the reason that all the regionals are suddenly making livable wages?

Because the majors, ULCCs and LCCs are hiring a significant quantity of pilots right now.

Not that, that's bad.

It's not. In fact, this is what they should have been paid all along.

But is is sustainable?

This is JetCareers, not Airline Management careers. Pilots love to talk about the financial aspects of the airline business in the same way a non-pilot "bro" likes to mansplain a 737 to someone at a bar.

What's the end game?

"Going concern."

If there is one.

The pessimist in me thinks the regionals are playing for a recession... that is to say they're stalling for time.

I guess what I'm asking, what everyone is asking. Why now?

Because the alternative is no longer having a business.

 

[roundout]

So what's the reason that all the regionals are suddenly making livable wages? Not that, that's bad. But is is sustainable? What's the end game? If there is one. I guess what I'm asking, what everyone is asking. Why now?

trying to make their pay enough that the reset to first year ULCC pay hurts too much to stomach.

 

[mwflyer]

In the immortal words of Jake Chambers, "Go then, there are other worlds than these."

I think I worked 12 days this month.
YMMV but there are other flying jobs to be had.

@Acrofox . Lots of truth in this statement. Don’t know if you’re “airlines only” or not, but there are a lot of good 135/fractional jobs that will scratch your flying itch and give you good QOL.

i know of some folks that have left the regionals for netjets with no pic time.

 

[JordanD]

trying to make their pay enough that the reset to first year ULCC pay hurts too much to stomach.

Which is kind of goofy to me, but I know everyone’s personal situation is different. But increased pay seems like it just makes it easier to toss enough money into savings to where that transition is barely noticeable, but I know some people get a huge raise and immediately start living a more expensive lifestyle.

 

[roundout]

Which is kind of goofy to me, but I know everyone’s personal situation is different. But increased pay seems like it just makes it easier to toss enough money into savings to where that transition is barely noticeable, but I know some people get a huge raise and immediately start living a more expensive lifestyle.

Don’t ask me, I’m just a ULCC lifer trying to live on a regional pilot budget (you never know, right?)

 

[CFIscare]

Don’t ask me, I’m just a ULCC lifer trying to live on a regional pilot budget (you never know, right?)

Regional pilot budget seems to have taken on a new meaning.

 

[roundout]

Regional pilot budget seems to have taken on a new meaning.

My wife’s Lexus reflects that reality

 

[BobDDuck]

trying to make their pay enough that the reset to first year ULCC pay hurts too much to stomach.

That doesn't seem like the goal though. 10 years ago most people were taking a 40% to 60% pay cut to go from an 8 year RJ captain to a probie at a major or LCC. They still went because every year after that was so much better.

This seems more like a play to be the regional that has enough applicants and doesn't have the people already their bailing for a different regional with higher pay while they wait for a ticket to the big show.

 

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

While I’m happy for their sky high new pay, this isn’t sustainable for regional airlines.

 

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

Having asked this, more or less, I believe the answer was no. (The actual response was "It's more complicated than that. There's a process, but you can't really un-resign. Call me and we can talk about how that works." (paraphrased))

However, you do, theoretically, get credit for years in service at a 121 carrier, meaning you can be at, say, year 10 pay with year 1 seniority.

I left because of QOL, not pay. Their new TA is bragging about getting twelve guaranteed days off a month ("best in the industry"), at the low, low price of notification via EFB. Translation: You're going to get twelve, and exactly twelve, days off per month, every month, dispensed in the most awkward possible areas, and we're going to fly your tails off the rest of the month. We don't have a commuter clause, and you're not going to be able to drop, swap, or trade anything. We're also removing pilot profit sharing, and ending our previously-announced retention bonuses."

There's a lot about SkyWest that I really did love, but I simply can't go back to that... even if it resigning from OO means my flying career is basically kaput.

Flew with a new FO who was about 50. He left Skywest for that reason (was there ~ 6 yrs). I'm hearing what you are saying from all the new hires here that are ex-Skywest.

 

[🦈💜]

Having flown for a 135 scheduled carrier, I'm extremely reluctant to ever do that again. Yeah, it's only one 135, but it left a strong impression that carriers need the oversight and constraints that 121 imposes.

And while I wouldn't mind flying a corporate shuttle or similar, I don't want to be a chauffeur who caters rich people's shrimp cocktails or digs their fecal matter out of the lav.

I was a good airline pilot. I was a good captain. I really, really enjoyed doing both of those things, and took pride in doing them well.

I just couldn't take the scheduling anymore.

So while I'm not airline-only, I do want to be paid enough to survive, I don't want to be gone for ten+ days in a row, I want to have some control over my schedule. I don't want to fly for a sleazebag operator, a pilot pusher, or an operator that skimps on maintenance. And I don't want to be stuck in an at-risk commute across the country for a decade.

At some point, the options just ... dwindle.

 

[Maximilian_Jenius]

Having flown for a 135 scheduled carrier, I'm extremely reluctant to ever do that again. Yeah, it's only one 135, but it left a strong impression that carriers need the oversight and constraints that 121 imposes.

And while I wouldn't mind flying a corporate shuttle or similar, I don't want to be a chauffeur who caters rich people's shrimp cocktails or digs their fecal matter out of the lav.

I was a good airline pilot. I was a good captain. I really, really enjoyed doing both of those things, and took pride in doing them well.

I just couldn't take the scheduling anymore.

So while I'm not airline-only, I do want to be paid enough to survive, I don't want to be gone for ten+ days in a row, I want to have some control over my schedule. I don't want to fly for a sleazebag operator, a pilot pusher, or an operator that skimps on maintenance. And I don't want to be stuck in an at-risk commute across the country for a decade.

At some point, the options just ... dwindle.

Not sure your times, or your PIC time. But I'd think you'd have enough to get a call back from anyone out there at the moment. Of course I could be wrong. Doesn't hurt to try.

 

[🦈💜]

Not sure your times, or your PIC time. But I'd think you'd have enough to get a call back from anyone out there at the moment. Of course I could be wrong. Doesn't hurt to try.

Something like ~4500 TT / 850 (121 jet) TPIC (1200 "T"PIC (combined jet and turboprop)). Clean history, two minor tickets in 20 years, two checkride failures.

Not being currently employed as a pilot is definitely a barrier, at this point, but I knew it would be.

To be frank, I got a TBNT from a major last year. I have been invited to interview at an LCC and an ULCC this year. I declined one, and the other had a pre-screening video interview that was due during a week my dad was having open heart surgery. (I requested a postponement via the provided email, but never received a response, and was later sent a TBNT letter, so ... there's that.)

If I knew, for sure, that I wanted a pilot job, I certainly have a path back in. But I'm honestly not certain at the moment. I needed time off to evaluate, and I've gone back and forth. No option checks all the boxes aside from several prominent majors with west-coast bases who I haven't heard from.

I don't really know the answer to loving the job and hating the lifestyle. I hear it's better at majors.

Dunno. I do appreciate everyone chipping in, though, even if I seem like I'm not listening.