Author Archives: Allie Adee

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing SkyWest moms and those inspiring mothers who fuel our aviation dreams! This includes the moms highlighted below who have shared their love for aviation and encouraged their kids to join the SkyWest team.

Susan C. & Stacey J.

Susan and her daughter, Stacey, share a love of flying and adventure. Their passion and desire to follow their dreams eventually brought these two DEN-based flight attendants to SkyWest.

Susan got started at SkyWest in 2006 and says it opened the door to the world for her. She continually told Stacey that she should consider a career in the skies too.

In 2022, Stacey decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and join SkyWest Airlines as a flight attendant. Inspired by her mother’s career and driven by her own passion for travel, Stacey eagerly embraced the opportunity to take to the skies.

“My mom had me young, and we are 16 years apart,” said Stacey. “I admire my mom, her spirit, her sense of adventure, and her charming authentic ability to connect with every person she comes into contact with.”

Coincidentally, Susan and Stacey both became SkyWest flight attendants at the age of 52 and both graduated from their initial training classes in the month of October – 16 years apart. Their synchronized paths have deepened their bond as mother and daughter.

“I was honored to be able to attend my daughter’s SkyWest flight attendant graduation and pin her wings on her,” said Susan. “A year and a half later here we are finally working our first trip together. Flying with my daughter by my side was a dream come true.”

Their recent first work trip together was a special moment, symbolizing their shared dream and strength of their close bond.

“To see her wearing the same uniform, with the same passion for service, was a moment I’ll cherish forever,” said Susan. “We can’t wait to fly together again. I am one proud mama!”

Robin and Captain Colten M.

Fresno-based flight attendant Robin came to SkyWest in 2014. The new career was not only a great opportunity for her, but it also reignited the childhood dream of her son, Captain Colten M., to become an airline pilot. “All Colten ever wanted to do was become an airline pilot,” Robin said. “But throughout the years, we were told over and over that the qualifications were out of reach. So, we’d put it to the side.” Once Robin met other SkyWest pilots and learned what it takes to meet the requirements, she immediately got in touch with Colten.

“I was confused by how young the pilots were,” said Robin. “I finished up training, headed home, and said “Let’s reevaluate!”

Captain Colten M. had been in school to get a degree in forestry when he stopped everything and immediately jumped into flight school, knowing he had to make the switch. Even before being hired, he had already forged numerous connections with the Fresno-based crewmembers and felt like a part of the SkyWest family before even taking his first official commercial flight. This sense of belonging and camaraderie further fueled his determination to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot with SkyWest.

“My mom and I have always been very close,” said Captain Colten M.. “I can’t say for sure where I’d be or what career I would’ve gone with, but I’m a Captain here at SkyWest because my mom paved the path. She had my back the entire way and was my first passenger as a private pilot. Now I pretend to be in charge while we work together here at SkyWest.”

SkyWest Culture: Casting a Line for Connections

It all started back in 2015 when a group of SkyWest mechanics in Colorado Springs decided to put their passion and skills for fishing to the test through a friendly competition. The idea took off, and the first fishing tournament resulted in an unforgettable event filled with laughter, fishing tales, and the thrill of the catch. After just one year they were hooked, and that initial group vowed to make it an annual affair. Now, nine years later, it has now evolved to include employees from other SkyWest teams, their families, and continues to provide opportunities for camaraderie, connection, and giving back.

“We not only compete for the biggest catch but also compete in acts of kindness and generosity, giving back to our community and supporting charitable causes,” said Bruce Chang, SkyWest maintenance training instructor.

Bruce was one of the first to put the idea of a fishing tournament together. He says its uniqueness lies not only in the friendship it fosters among the SkyWest employees but also in the culture of giving that surrounds the event.

To participate, individuals from any SkyWest team or location pay an entrance fee with proceeds going towards prizes or being donated to organizations like Trout Unlimited. Prizes have also been donated by colleagues and fishing companies. These have included fishing gear and accessories, along with SkyWest apparel and merchandise, with the goal of being able to provide a prize to every child who participates in the tournament. This approach has helped foster a sense of belonging and strengthen connections within the SkyWest team.

“Beyond the thrill of the competition, our fishing tournaments are opportunities for families and friends to create memories and strengthen the bonds that keep us connected,” said Bruce.

The fishing tournaments have also acted as a catalyst for forming new friendships and acquaintances within the company. Newcomers are always welcome, and their participation enriches the event’s atmosphere and dynamics as employees from different departments can connect over their shared hobby.

“For nine years running, our fishing tournaments have been a testament to our commitment to fostering unity within SkyWest,” said Bruce. “As we look to the future, we hope to expand and share this wonderful tradition with even more participants.”

More than just a competition, the tournament promotes teamwork, belonging, and generosity. Each year, participants eagerly await the tournament, ready to cast their lines, create new stories, and strengthen the bonds of friendship and family.

Ready to join a company with great culture? Go to www.skywest.com/careers to get started on an application today!

SkyWest Airlines Contributes to Make-A-Wish Utah

SkyWest Airlines is a proud supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and helping to grant wishes for kids in need. This year, our support is helping benefit 15-year-old Ethan, who made a wish to attend space camp at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, the largest NASA facility. He wants to one day become an aerospace engineer for NASA and is excited for the chance he now has to go to space camp this summer.

The first sign of Ethan’s health problem was when his mother discovered a lump on his neck. After running several tests and undergoing surgery to remove the lump, doctors diagnosed Ethan with lymphoma. Within a few weeks he was undergoing regular chemotherapy treatments and meeting with specialists. During his months of treatment, Ethan and his family did extensive wish research, which helped him concentrate on a successful and healthy future. Ethan feels unstoppable now that chemo is over and his health has improved.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation relies on donations from individuals and organizations like SkyWest to continue its mission of granting wishes to children with critical illnesses. Our contribution will not only make a difference in Ethan’s life, but it will also bring hope to many other children who are waiting for their wishes to come true. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted over 500,000 wishes to children across the world.

SkyWest Airlines is glad to help organizations like Make-A-Wish and to give back to the communities where our teams live and work. This contribution to the Make-A-Wish Foundation is just one example of our dedication to make a positive impact on people’s lives.

SkyWest Supports On Board With Autism

“You all let my son be just a kid yesterday without any labels,” said the mother of a young boy who participated in our recent On Board with Autism event. “The smile on him was pure happiness – the way it should be for a 7-year-old getting to experience his first plane.”

Late last month, nearly 30 kids and their families boarded a SkyWest aircraft in Erie, Pennsylvania (ERI). Unlike a typical flight, though, the plane never left the ground. That’s because the flight was actually part of On Board with Autism, an event organized by the Autism Society Northwestern Pennsylvania.

These events are designed for autistic children and their families to practice what it’s like to travel. Each of the children and their families checked in at the counter, received a boarding pass, went through TSA screening, boarded the SkyWest aircraft, and had a chance to talk with our crewmembers.

Thank you to everyone involved including our SkyWest crew; Captain Jason McCormick, First Officer Mirwais Sherzoy, and Flight Attendants Joseph Searcy and Abra Everett, for your assistance in making this a positive and memorable experience for everyone involved.

SkyWest is a proud supporter of World Autism Awareness Day and the opportunity to be involved in events like this. Visit Autism Speaks for information and resources on advocacy, diagnosis, health providers, support, treatment, and more.