Skywest Questions

Does it look like PDX will continue to be junior? Biggest reason I chose the 175 was to end up in PDX. SEA is an easy commute as well
I wish I could tell people for sure, since I have a few people asking me about it, but honestly I'm not too sure. Everyone seemed pretty surprised how junior PDX and SEA went with the fast growth that's been going on up there. Seems like most of the new deliveries on that thing have been AS/DL or LAX UA birds. Then again who knows what's going to happen with the AS flying one Horizon gets their E-Jets. Part of the reason I'm kind of hesitant to get too rooted to PDX if they end up doing most of the flying and we lose some of it. But then again, I'm kind of just wiling to go wherever the flying is. If I lived up there and didn't care about being on reserve I wouldn't give a poop.
 
Well, some of us were told in class "you guys won't be on reserve." 1 year off IOE later I noped out to the only base where I'd 100% hold a line... still wouldn't hold a line in the old, typically junior base. Things change.
I know I don't have to tell you this, but like any other airline, you'll fly (or not) what you can bloody well hold, and make the best of it.

Also, commuting to reserve sucks.

Also also, enjoy the respite, it's almost certainly a temporary lull. Although for some, it's more of a permanent lull, and so on.
 
Multiple interpretations FTW!
65124194.jpg
 
Well good to know. I figured it was a no brainer to take the CRJ because reserve was longer on the ERJ and you'd get what bases you wanted on the CRJ. I guess it's all changing. Oh well, may as well just stick with what a picked.

For what it's worth, the November awards are out and it looks as if one person was awarded Denver. Zero for the springs. It's been this way the past four months. If you want any other base besides Houston they all can be had right after IOE. As of now anyways
 
Last edited:
I could take most junior upgrade in about 6 months. But I decided to transition to ER7... I was hoping with the increase in 175 flying on the west coast + more coming online next year that it would be the obvious choice. Did I shoot myself in the foot? I don't mind being slightly behind, but as of right now the 175 is a 2 year longer upgrade. Guess I could always hop back over to the RJ after seat lock.
 
I could take most junior upgrade in about 6 months. But I decided to transition to ER7... I was hoping with the increase in 175 flying on the west coast + more coming online next year that it would be the obvious choice. Did I shoot myself in the foot? I don't mind being slightly behind, but as of right now the 175 is a 2 year longer upgrade. Guess I could always hop back over to the RJ after seat lock.
Not sure why you'd go for a pretty for sure upgrade soon on the CRJ to a "maybe, in a little while" upgrade on the ERJ to be stuck in the right seat, making less money, for longer. You could be "slightly behind" and then the music could stop altogether.
 
With all the airframes coming online in the next year I think you'll see the ERJ upgrade come down a bit. It has been lower than the CRJ in the past. Wouldn't be surprised to see that happen again.
 
It's crazy how quickly things are changing at the moment. Makes it near impossible to predict anything of use. Live in base, don't get yourself seat locked, and be flexible. That's my best advice at the moment. I would also advise anyone getting hired now to go to the 175. It may be a bit senior, but that is where a bulk of future flying is going to.
 
With all the airframes coming online in the next year I think you'll see the ERJ upgrade come down a bit. It has been lower than the CRJ in the past. Wouldn't be surprised to see that happen again.
But most of those guys are probably still on reserve.
 
It's crazy how quickly things are changing at the moment. Makes it near impossible to predict anything of use. Live in base, don't get yourself seat locked, and be flexible. That's my best advice at the moment. I would also advise anyone getting hired now to go to the 175. It may be a bit senior, but that is where a bulk of future flying is going to.
You think the RJ flying will die down or both will have lots of flying but movement is better on the 175?
 
Not sure why you'd go for a pretty for sure upgrade soon on the CRJ to a "maybe, in a little while" upgrade on the ERJ to be stuck in the right seat, making less money, for longer. You could be "slightly behind" and then the music could stop altogether.

Thanks for your insight. I'm taking a 6 month "delay" from the current upgrade time due to seat lock. And I'm ok with that. A little more senior and not the plug would be a nice thing for me. The risk, obviously, if things turn south and upgrades stop for X amount of months/years, I'm hosed. I'll take the risk! I'm trying to keep my quality of life at a tolerable level.
 
Not sure why you'd go for a pretty for sure upgrade soon on the CRJ to a "maybe, in a little while" upgrade on the ERJ to be stuck in the right seat, making less money, for longer. You could be "slightly behind" and then the music could stop altogether.

Eh. To each his own. I agree with what you're saying, but nobody really knows what is going to happen! A year ago people were saying the upgrade would never drop below 4 years, now there's 4 year CA's in the 175 in SEA/LA/SF, OR it can all turn tomorrow and people get downgraded. Who knows. I don't think I'd be putting down roots here, but a 6 month gap is worth it to some. Ton of changes as the 50+ ERJ's and UA/AA transitions happen. I couldn't blame someone for going either way.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your insight. I'm taking a 6 month "delay" from the current upgrade time due to seat lock. And I'm ok with that. A little more senior and not the plug would be a nice thing for me. The risk, obviously, if things turn south and upgrades stop for X amount of months/years, I'm hosed. I'll take the risk! I'm trying to keep my quality of life at a tolerable level.

Honestly, I can't see upgrades just coming to a screeching hault. Majors will be hiring even more next year and even more the year after that, the only thing that will stop upgrades is not being able to attract new FO's. That doesn't seem to be a problem for Skywest. Now if another economic downturn happens after this election season than that could put a stop to things also...
 
With all the airframes coming online in the next year I think you'll see the ERJ upgrade come down a bit. It has been lower than the CRJ in the past. Wouldn't be surprised to see that happen again.
I think you're right. If you look at all the after dates, and seat locks, it's fairly close to hitting the same ~1 year cliff the CRJ hit earlier this year...... Of course the holidays have an influence on that. We shall see.
 
Back
Top