Skywest Questions
- Thread starter flyingbum
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ryan4sail
Well-Known Member
This is wrong. SP3023.8 states that if you bid from CRJ FO- ERJ FO, you will have a 12 month lock before you can take a captain upgrade (CRJ or ERJ). However, if for some reason I chose to bid back to the CRJ (as an FO), I would have a 24 month lock before upgrading to captain or transitioning again. It states this in the policy manual. There is also an "unofficial guide" on your SAPA website that makes it much easier to understand.It bears repeating that a voluntary jet-copilot-to-jet-copilot transition will incur a 24 month seat lock. (Yes, I looked. See SP3023.8. I feel like this should be at the top of the Standing Bid List. Which, a link to the Standard Practice is, anyway.)
The Company will only relieve such freezes in the event that it is operationally necessary. What this means is that you will not be permitted to upgrade unless they really really need you to.
It additionally bears repeating that an NHP offered an equipment choice has the same 24-month seat lock specific to transitions.
Choose wisely. Ensure that your standing bid list preferences match what you actually want and that you are aware of the consequences of a change in status. (Right, @Derg?)
Autothrust Blue
Welcome aboard the Washington State Ferries
Please tell me more about what's on the Association website.
(this is correct insofar as transition classes incurring a 24 month lock for another transition, and it might also be successfully argued for applicability to upgrade. We do not adequately define our terms here in SP3005 Definitions — the fact that this is not what is done is hilarious, because it's sure as hell is what is written!)
I do see what you're saying, but I still think it's an incorrect interpretation. Of course, we're probably using the 121 definitions of "initial," "transition" and "upgrade," rather than clearly and unambiguously defining our terms as we use them in the work agreement. It's my professional opinion that the 24 months is controlling. Looking at the bid list, however, that seems to be not how it's being done.
In this climate, I strongly advise against FO-to-FO voluntary transitions due to the presence of the freeze. I wouldn't unless I had to, TBQH.
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BEEF SUPREME
Well-Known Member
Barring a global economic meltdown, what would the best guesstimate time line on holding a line out of SFO.
Lets just say CRJ.
Pessimistic responses appreciated. Since that seems to be the most realistic (you know considering this is aviation.)
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Autothrust Blue
Welcome aboard the Washington State Ferries
Autothrust Blue
Welcome aboard the Washington State Ferries
SFO CRJ, most junior FO lineholder DOH 3/2016. (You damn kids, seriously.)
SFO ER7, most junior FO lineholder DOH 1/2016. (Again, you damn kids, seriously.)
Note that there's a LOT of "flex" in this, and this is as of the November bid. December is going to be "different," and probably have more people flying composites due to the nature of our schedules in December. Weird things also happen at the bottom end of a category. I would favor the ER7 just because I think (based on nothing but a hunch) that's where most of the growth, if any is to be had, will be.
SFO ER7, most junior FO lineholder DOH 1/2016. (Again, you damn kids, seriously.)
Note that there's a LOT of "flex" in this, and this is as of the November bid. December is going to be "different," and probably have more people flying composites due to the nature of our schedules in December. Weird things also happen at the bottom end of a category. I would favor the ER7 just because I think (based on nothing but a hunch) that's where most of the growth, if any is to be had, will be.
BEEF SUPREME
Well-Known Member
And the ERJ FO can be based at SFO? My wife's family has a house in Belmont, about 30 minutes from SFO. So we can just park it down there for the days I'm on reserve?
I just want to avoid commuting at all costs and both sides of the family are within a 2 hr drive circle drawn around SFO. I also own a home in this circle as well.
So as ya'll can imagine it would really suck to get stuck at a different base and be forced to commute. Doubly so for a year(ish) on reserve.
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Autothrust Blue
Welcome aboard the Washington State Ferries
I'm going to give you the standard disclaimer that new hires to this airline must be able to accept assignment to any base and equipment in the system, instead of making a vague promise as to how long you'd have to possibly commute. (I need not imagine it, I've done it too!)
Yes, SFO is an ER7 base.
BEEF SUPREME
Well-Known Member
This is the answer I'm looking for.
At a glance do my goals seem realistic or foolhardy?
Basically lay low at a 121 and build 121 time but not have to commute or live in a crash pad and sadly that base would be SFO.
Skywest seems to be the best place to do this, but I'm open to ideas.
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Autothrust Blue
Welcome aboard the Washington State Ferries
You know, I think that it'd work out for you. It's really something of a crap shoot based on initial equipment choice on how to get out west quickly. CRJ pilots are going mostly to MSP and DTW at least initially (brace yourself, winter is coming). ER7 pilots are all-over-the-damn-place as far as new hires. Either equipment type will get you there eventually. It's just a question of how quickly. We do have a few summer hires who are in CRJ SFO.
If you have to work for a regional, I think this is the best one to work for.
jtrain609
Antisocial Monster
Consider that "driving to work" only matters on your first and last day. Any airline can, and will, have you show on day 1 of a work block at 0300, and then send you on a whirlwind tour of North America for six days, and return you back to your base at 2359 on your last day, slap you on the butt and say, "that was fun, come back in 48 hours and do it again."
Buyer beware, I've driven to work and I've commuted, and I've been home a lot more when I've been commuting since I can commute to a junior base where I can have the most schedule flexibility and days off at any one time.
Right now I hold about 15 days off a month, work three day trips, and have whatever weekend and holiday off that I want.
B767
Well-Known Member
Slight correction. Here, it could be 0201 show on day 1 and off duty by 0159 on your last day, and there would be no extra pay.
Anything up until 0200 is still considered part of the same day. For whatever reason...I get what you're saying and agree wholeheartedly. I'm a line holder in an east coast base, drive 1.5 hours to make it a 1 leg commute (I could drive 20 mins and make it a 2 leg). Or I could transfer to ORD, 1 time zone difference, 1 leg commute, but I would be commuting to reserve. No thanks.
Cazadores
Well-Known Member
SkyWest has been great for me, and I agree with the statements, comparing my friends experiences at other regionals, it is the place to be.
The most recent new hire ERJ group all were assigned SFO. That is the fleet for you, although I really look back fondly on my time flying the winter to such destinations as Hibbing, Rhinelander, Peliston.....you'll really be missing out without experiencing that....now that I'm on the west coast I find myself asking around "de ice, there is a green one and an orange one....right?" Hehe.
Commuting versus driving, well that's a topic. I sort of live two lives and drive sometimes and fly to work sometimes. Honestly it takes me less time and a lot less stress the days I fly. I'm about 50 miles from domicile when I drive and while it shouldn't take more than an hour it often takes 2+, not including the circus that is the employee parking lot shuttle, which can take an hour simply getting from the car to the terminal curb. When I fly from my other "home" I take an Uber or get dropped at my local airport, which has parking across from the terminal for employees, is a five minute surface street drive, and has KCM along with 10+ flights to my base a day. I land at my base, walk off the flight and simply go directly to work. No stress, and generally about as quick or quicker than my simple 50 mile drive.
Usually it seems, at least for me since I have been based west of the Rockies, CS does get a hold of you with more than 2 hours notice, however it happens sometimes. Long Call is nice, but keep in mind they can and will convert it to short call at their leisure, more or less, so it isn't as great as it looks on paper.
All I'm saying is take each situation and look at the big picture, one of the great things about 121 is flexibility and its ability to open doors, which brings me to my next point. I see some of your posts and it looks like you have a lot of turbine time, like 5000 plus, and a couple of types. It seems like you would be competitive at Spirit, Frontier, or Allegiant, maybe even VX or JetBlue or something. I'll say it again, SkyWest is great, and you'll be happy, but commuting to Vegas or Denver really isn't the nightmare a commute to, say, JFK would be.
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BEEF SUPREME
Well-Known Member
Thanks!!
Correct me if I am wrong but if I am on reserve on 2 hour call and I need to commute to Denver to get to my base that means I need to be in Denver correct?
Or can I bet fat dumb an happy in Belmont. Get my call to go fly and be at SFO in 2 hours and then commute to Denver? (this seems to good to be true).
I am trying to avoid plying XBOX in some crashpad for 4 days in another city. Only because I was fired from my last job because I wanted to be around my family more (I didn't sign a training contract when they would give me no guaranteed time off for the birth of my first kid).
Do I just not understand how reserve works? I'm thinking yes because all I have done is 135 and 91 flying where the phone call was a leash and you got fired for missing a call.
The reason I am thinking of going to Skywest is that I applied to Allegiant and they snap rejected me. Only because I had no flight time in the last 6 months. So I need to get up to speed again, ideally with 121 to get to the 121 I need to be at.
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Cazadores
Well-Known Member
Ok, I get the recency is an issue. You're right, to good to be true, you have two hours to check in at base.
Just keep in mind commuting is not always your worst option. SkyWest reserve is likely the worst aspect of working here. I wouldn't worry too much about it though, SFO is in my experience generally the most junior of the West Coast bases. It looks like they want to expand LA so who knows at this point, it's a crazy business.
I guess my advice would be to always keep your options open, for example if you are sitting reserve in Belmont not getting called but can hold a line in LA or Seattle, or even Denver, maybe you do it, there is no real "lock" on domicile transfers.
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I thought base transfers were limited to 3 a year but that might just be for the FAs. I know I've seen a lot of captains bounce around bases, probably chasing a line. The risk there is obviously leaving, wanting to go back, and then there's no openings to get back into the base you really want and you're stuck.
Cazadores
Well-Known Member
Exactly, the real issue is leaving or not taking a spot in your preferred base could leave you unable to get in later. I was more referring to time than number. You could leave, say, SFO for a line in LA, and two months later transfer back if you want.
BEEF SUPREME
Well-Known Member
Wow you guys have been super helpful.
Shoot now the problem is going to be buying all you guys a beer on first year FO pay!
(Hopefully)
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Shoot now the problem is going to be buying all you guys a beer on first year FO pay!
(Hopefully)
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Autothrust Blue
Welcome aboard the Washington State Ferries
Do not hesitate to refuse anything less than a 2 hour call out on Short Call. That time is there for you to show up fed, caffeinated as required, dressed and ready, not harried. (just saying.) If you need it, you need it. I frequently do when the phone goes at 0500.
Yeah, I'm working on that "reserve" thing a bit too before I leave the Association. We'll see. No promises.
SFO is junior because commuting there is an expensive evolution, living there doubly so. But it's a cool base. I wouldn't have traded my SFO experience for anything.
You won't have to buy the first round if you're flying with me.
Actually I'm gonna go with never, ever, EVER accept less than a two hour call out. That is what you are entitled to, and while I'm all about helping the passengers out and minimizing a potential delay, if there is one (hopefully the person had the foresight to call in at least two hours prior to show time anyway), you are on the hook if you tell them you'll be there in 1 hour and you get a flat tire, hit traffic, etc. Hell, I've sat in traffic INSIDE the airport perimeter at ORD maybe a block from the employee lot for VIP movement on the airport for a good 30-40 minutes. If you happen to get there early, grand, I suppose. But then you could run into problems with FAR 117 legality I suppose if you're too early.