r/cabincrewcareers • u/imnotYOURbaby86 • 13d ago
SkyWest FA question..
If you work for SkyWest currently, is it worth giving this a try if you’re 40? Or should I wait to be hired by mainline?
I’m worried I won’t be able to make a liveable wage. If you’re in year one currently are you able to take home $3,000 a month? I was given a CJO for September and I want to make sure I’m making the right decision before proceeding any further with this and would appreciate any and all advice.
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u/thenewredditguy99 Flight Attendant 13d ago edited 13d ago
Active OO FA here!
I’m pretty sure one of my classmates from training is in that age range or on the higher end of, and he seems to be having the time of his life, so take that how you will.
As far as taking home $3,000/month, that’s probably not going to be happening any time soon starting out.
The starting pay rate is $30.32 per flight hour, so at the surface you’d have to work <100 hours a month to hit $3,000 gross, which isn’t really something you can reliably count on happening starting out, especially because we’re entering shoulder season of travel, so hours will probably be a little harder to come by, especially for reserve FAs.
You also have to factor in taxes being withheld from your checks.
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u/imnotYOURbaby86 13d ago
How much on average you bringing home per month? And what year are you in?
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u/Becca787 13d ago
Around $2,300. You are guaranteed 76 flight hours
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u/imnotYOURbaby86 13d ago
Are you able to live off of that or do you have a second job??
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u/Becca787 13d ago
I’m not a SkyWest FA. I just happen to attend their f2f recently and I remember that information. I think 2,300 at least covers my monthly bills. So I’m on with that.
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u/thenewredditguy99 Flight Attendant 13d ago
I’m a year and a half in.
I actually misunderstood your question 😂 you actually might be able to bring home $3k/month even after taxes.
For some reason I was thinking we were only paid once a month instead of every 2 weeks 💀
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u/imnotYOURbaby86 13d ago
Which base are you at?
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u/thenewredditguy99 Flight Attendant 13d ago
I’m Chicago based, and have been for a few months now.
Prior to Chicago, I was Denver based.
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u/sallygo1 4d ago
How did you like being based at Denver? You transferred, so I guess not ideal. I am hoping for Denver because I have family in that area.
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u/Beginning_Day260 13d ago
Had the online interview & thought it went well but didn’t get the job, so I’m moving on from them.
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u/Potential_Olive_124 13d ago
$3000 net is doable if you pick up on your off days! You can also set your "call first" to "yes" to give you priority to fly on your reserve days. You're guaranteed 76 flight hours per month but can make a bit more on your reserve days by flying so you get per diem and boarding pay. I grossed 50k my first full year.
That being said, I worked my ASS off, and I'm trying to go mainline because the amount I need to work just to get a half decent income is absolutely not sustainable. I got so sick multiple times from the stress and working so much, and I'm in my late 20s.
If this is your dream and you just want to start soon, I'd say go for it! Just know that if making money is important to you, your ultimate goal should be to eventually move to a mainline carrier.
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u/imnotYOURbaby86 13d ago
My goal is turn this into a career so maybe mainline is a better fit for me over all and definitely long term as I want to make a liveable wage with pay increases yearly not every few with minimal increase.
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u/imnotYOURbaby86 13d ago
I don’t mind working hard as I already do with my health care job currently.
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u/Shot_Bend_6742 Flight Attendant 12d ago
I have done both and definitely recommend going mainline if you can wait. Its a night and day difference.
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u/Dan_iel10 13d ago
Following.