SkyWest Cadet: Reflections on my Trip to Salt Lake

The past couple days I spent traveling to and from Salt Lake City to participate in an orientation for the SkyWest Pilot Pathway Program.  As I approach 1000 hours of flight time, I am getting closer to the application and interview process for my first airline job (I need 1250 hours to be qualified, so applications will start soon).  I said goodbye to Sara and Isaac Saturday night, and got up early Sunday to catch a 0600 flight (thanks to my friend Jordan for the ride to the airport).

Isaac & Daddy

The SkyWest Pilot Pathway Program seems to be a one of a kind recruitment tool that is being used to help fill the demand for new pilots.  Being from the Midwest and having completed my training in Minnesota, I have been most familiar with Compass and Endeavor regional airlines.  Through my studies at Academy College and connections made through Thunderbird Aviation, I know at least a few people who work in some capacity for Compass and Endeavor. As such, I have been most familiar with those airlines and have had my expectations set for working for either Compass or Endeavor.

Move to Phoenix. Different connections, different network.   Enter: SkyWest.

Many of the friends I instruct with at Westwind have gone on to train and work for SkyWest. Hearing about their positive experiences, I applied to be a part of the Pilot Pathway Program.  The benefits of being a cadet can be read here.  What I think is so great about it is that it gives someone like me an opportunity to envision what my job will be like as pilot flying jets.

One of the most common ways to reach the minimum hour requirement to be an airline pilot is to be an instructor, like me--in small planes.  I basically get paid to teach other students how to fly but also get credit for the flight time.  I really have no need to look for a different job before heading to the airlines, because it's not required.  Positive and negative aspects to that reality.

But because of my lack of jet experience, I'm anticipating training to be like drinking from a fire hose. Overwhelming. Hard. But exciting and I'm up for the challenge, and eager to grow in my knowledge and skills as a pilot.

Checking out the slopes flying from Denver.

So as a part of this program, SkyWest flies cadets to their facilities in SLC.  Provided with lodging, I was able to connect with other pilots like me, gain insight into what an airline interview is like, and am guaranteed a final interview for a first officer position at SkyWest.  Nothing to lose!

I am a total rookie when it comes to traveling alone.  I'm sure some day it will be funny to look back at this experience and how nervous I was to go through security, or miss a flight.  Usually I travel with my wife, who is the keeper of the itinerary and I just do what she tells me!  Well I wish I could say all went well but I left my wallet at security and didn't even realize it.  Thankfully I was paged just in time to retrieve it before boarding my flight.  And thankfully I made it to my hotel where I caught some of the Olympics and grabbed dinner with a fellow cadet.

The following day we shuttled to SkyWest's facilities where I learned a lot more about what its like to work as an airline pilot.  And of course got all the info I needed to answer Sara's questions about flight benefits and how that all works.

E175 (Embraer)  One type of jet I might fly as a regional pilot.
My buddy Caleb flies one of these around the skies!

I didn't want to get too excited because I've been most interested in Compass or Endeavor.  But after reflecting on the experience, I'm so grateful that SkyWest provided me with this opportunity.  When else would I have been able to see the aircraft I could potentially fly, gain interview insight from the pilots who conduct the interviews, and experience what its like to travel for free?  I liked it!

So, we'll see where God leads and how it all pans out.  We extended our lease in Phoenix until mid May 2017.  We had hoped to get back to the Twin Cities before my airline training begins, in December or January... but after considering moving from an extremely hot summer in Phoenix to an extremely cold winter in Minneapolis... we changed our minds.  We'll be here at least through my training and probably first couple months of being on reserve for whatever airline I end up with.  God willing, we will move back to Minneapolis in May to be closer to our families and God willing I can be based there as well.  The process of life continues: prayer, plan, work, repeat.  Trying to walk by faith and grateful that I know the One who goes before me.

Photo by SkyWest. Can you spot me?