SkyWest Airlines-Pilot Review
top of page
  • Writer's pictureMark
    • Jul 13, 2021
    • 4 min read

SkyWest Airlines-Pilot Review

Updated: Oct 17, 2023

Looking at getting a job at SkyWest Airlines? this article is for you. Please comment and contribute with the information you have so you can help other aviators like yourself by providing free information in the comments section below.


SkyWest Airlines owns and operates under Delta, United and Alaskan Airways, pilots after 24 months as Captain are offered a guaranteed interview with the majors. SkyWest has a total of over 5500 pilots operating over 500 various Ember and CRJ variants around America to 61 different destinations.


Contents:


SkyWest Airlines Bases:


18 domicile locations including:

SEA: Seattle

PDX: Portland

BOI: Boise

SLC: Salt Lake City

DEN: Denver

COS: Colorado

MSP: Minneapolis

ORD: Chicago

DTW: Detroit

ATL: Atlanta

IAH: Houston

DFW: Dallas Fort Worth

TUS: Tucson

PHX: Phoenix

SAN: San Diego

LAX: Los Angeles

PSP: Palm Springs

FAT: Fresno

SFO: San Francisco


SkyWest Pilot Requirements:

The following requirements are required to apply for SkyWest Airlines Pilot job opportunities.


ATP Certificate holder with 1500hrs

  • Be at least 23 years old

  • 500 hours of cross country

  • 100 hours of night

  • 75 hours of instrument

  • 25 hours of actual multi-engine

Restricted ATP holders with 1500 hours

Be at least 21 years old

  • 200 hours of cross country

  • 100 hours of night

  • 75 hours of instrument

  • 25 hours of actual multi-engine

Restricted ATP holders with 1250 hours

Be at least 21 years old

  • 30 semester credit hours of aviation-related coursework and transcripts

  • Associate degree from approved institution and proof of completion

  • 200 hours of cross country

  • 100 hours of night

  • 75 hours of instrument

  • 25 hours of actual multi-engine

  • Instrument Commercial Rating earned under Part 141 at approved institution

Restricted ATP holders with 1000 hours

Be at least 21 years old

  • 60 semester credit hours of aviation related coursework and transcripts

  • Bachelor’s degree from approved institution and proof of completion

  • 200 hours of cross country

  • 100 hours of night

  • 75 hours of instrument

  • Instrument commercial rating earned under Part 141 at an approved institution

SkyWest Pilot Pay:



Pilots in training are guaranteed 65 hours per month, with an increase to 76 hours per month once Initial Operating Experience (IOE) begins.

​

1st Year FO

2nd Year FO

3rd Year CA

Scale

$46.82/flight hour

$51.99/flight hour

$86.91/flight hour

Scale + PPS*

$50.33/flight hour

$55.50/flight hour

$91.65/flight hour

Current pay is in negotiation with a TA being voted by the Pilot body, Pay is suggested to be increase considerably as this can be seen with most regional airlines within the USA. MESA recently increased first year pay for FO to $100 dollars a flight hour.


Pilots working at SkyWest and flying over 86 hours will be paid 130% for credit over the 86 hours.


Per Diem: 2.00/hr


NEW TA proposal for SkyWest Airlines Pay:

Captain Pay Rates

Year 1: $140.00 – Increase 71.9%

Year 2: $145.18 – Increase 73.8%

Year 3: $149.39 – Increase 74.4%

Year 4: $154.17 – Increase 75.4%

Year 5: $158.95 – Increase 75.5%


First Officer Pay Rates

Year 1: $90.00 – Increase 92.2%

Year 2: $93.10 – Increase 79.1%

Year 3: $95.20 – Increase 66.6%

Year 4: $97.30 – Increase 65.9%

Year 5: $99.40 – Increase 66.6%



SkyWest Airlines Fleet


SkyWest Airlines operate a fleet of:

141 CRJ200,

106 CRJ,

40 CRY 900 and,

215 E175 aircraft.


SkyWest Airlines Interview Information:

The SkyWest interview consists of a Technical, CRM scenario and behavioral based interview. The technical interview will consist of Jeppesen chart knowledge, FARs, WX systems and CRM.



SkyWest FO to Captain upgrade:

Depending on previous flying experience and seniority movement; pilots can expect to upgrade between 1.5 years to 2 years from First Officer to Captain at SkyWest Airlines


How long is the training at SkyWest Airlines:

6-7 weeks without any current delays in training for new hired pilots. Training for the E175 is conducted in Salt Lake City and Denver, 2 weeks in Denver for ground school. The CRJ ground schools is 2 weeks long in Salt Lake City and can expect all training to be conducted there.


SkyWest will provide hotel accommodation however you may resident with another pilot. If you select your own room you will pay for half the hotel cost. There is a shuttle bus daily that takes you from the hotel to the training center.

*All pilots will receive uniform


SkyWest Airline Benefits and Staff Travel:

Unlimited space availability travel with SkyWest, Alaska, United, Delta and Midwest Express.

CASS system is available and operating through the USA.


Join these Facebook groups to get more free information from other pilots just like you.



NEW SkyWest TA information:

Effective Sept. 16, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2026

- Simplified to one scale for all aircraft types

- Over 70% scale increase for all SkyWest pilots, with no snap-back

- Average 72% and 82% scale increase for ERJ and CRJ Captains, respectively

- Average 83% scale increase for First Officers


Top tier 401(k) Program:

  • 12% Non-elective (Direct) Company Contribution to 401(k) for pilots with 10+ years of service

  • Company match and Direct contribution remain 100% immediately vested for all pilots on property

- 150/200/300% premium remains through contract term

- No stand-alone ready reserve

- Guaranteed 12 days off per month

- Per Diem increase to $2.15 immediately at signing and $2.25 on Jan. 1, 2024

- EFB & Reflow policies from previous TA removed

- Same day straight swaps

- Captain retention bonus ($20,000) payout remains as scheduled on Oct. 1


Captain Pay Rates

Year 1: $140.00 – Increase 71.9%

Year 2: $145.18 – Increase 73.8%

Year 3: $149.39 – Increase 74.4%

Year 4: $154.17 – Increase 75.4%

Year 5: $158.95 – Increase 75.5%


First Officer Pay Rates

Year 1: $90.00 – Increase 92.2%

Year 2: $93.10 – Increase 79.1%

Year 3: $95.20 – Increase 66.6%

Year 4: $97.30 – Increase 65.9%

Year 5: $99.40 – Increase 66.6%

bottom of page