Category Archives: Making a Difference

Nov 17

Ready for Takeoff: Future Pilot in the Making

In his excitement to travel from Chicago to Moline, Illinois, little 3-year-old Declan Halpin had been running around in his fire truck jammies pretending to be a pilot all day.

“Declan could not have been more excited about flying ‘way up in the sky’ in an airplane,” Declan’s mother, Elizabeth Halpin, said.

When the SkyWest flight landed in Moline, Elizabeth and her two young boys waited to let everyone out before gathering their bags.

“[Declan and his 18-month-old brother] said goodbye to each of the passengers just like the flight attendant,” Elizabeth said.

SkyWest Captain Michael Murphy noticed the boys and left the flight deck to help.

“I left the cockpit and went back to help a family,” said Captain Murphy. “Traveling with kids requires a few extra hands.”

But he offered more than just a helping hand; he invited the excited boy into the flight deck. No more make believe for Declan – he was now in a real pilot seat of a CRJ200.

“I like having kids come in the cockpit; they love buttons,” Captain Murphy said. “The little boy was excited so I asked the First Officer if we could use his seat for a bit. We pushed buttons, made noise and even talked into the P.A. Declan had a good time and he put a smile on my face for the rest of the day!”

After they left the aircraft, Captain Murphy’s actions inspired Elizabeth to share the story of how the SkyWest pilot made her son’s day and a memory to last a lifetime.

Thank you, Captain Murphy, for sharing your love of aviation and demonstrating above and beyond service! At SkyWest, professionals like Captain Murphy put our guiding principles of excellent service and quality to work each day.

Learn how you can join our team at skywest.com/careers.

Nov 04

Behind the Scenes Look At Our Operation in Action

At SkyWest, our people work together to complete 1,800 flights each day to more than 200 destinations across North America. Catch a glimpse of our operation with this 360 degree time-lapse video recorded this summer at our SLC hub. Each day SkyWest completes more than 130 departures from Terminal 2 of the Salt Lake City International Airport (hint: keep an eye on the graphics in the video to see our flight schedule each hour of the day, and scroll around to get your 360 view).

Don’t let any more time lapse – join our team of more than 11,000 aviation professionals located at stations, bases and hubs across North America. Take Control of Your Career with SkyWest Airlines! Apply today at skywest.com/careers.

Aug 29

SkyWest Scholarship Program Helps 32 Students Achieve Academic Goals

As the new school year begins, 32 SkyWest Airlines employees and family members will pursue their higher education aspirations with a little help from the SkyWest Scholarship Program. This year SkyWest awarded 32 scholarships totaling $40,000 in recognition of outstanding academic achievement, helping our SkyWest people and their families pursue their educational aspirations.

Scholarship Recipient Tara Pendleton

This year’s scholarship recipients come from a variety backgrounds and represent a wide range of academic ambitions. One of our Presidential Scholarship recipient – Jessica Harris – plans to pursue a dual degree in Aerospace Engineering and Applied Math with a minor in Economics. Upon graduation she hopes to focus on improving our nation’s security by contributing to the field of satellite surveillance and research. Another Presidential Scholarship recipient – Tara Pendleton – plans to use her scholarship funds to study Engineering while maintaining a focus on international development and service. From college freshmen to graduate level studies, each of the recipients has shown their ability to excel and SkyWest is proud to fuel our next generation and help them achieve their dreams.

Recipients were selected by the SkyWest Scholarship Committee comprised of employee representatives, who assessed each applicant individually based on a number of criteria, including GPA, career interest, extra-curricular activities, future goals, unique challenges and a letter of recommendation. Applicants to the program are each high achievers, proving that SkyWest is home to some of the best and brightest in the industry!

The SkyWest Scholarship Program was introduced in 2003 and has raised more than $400,000 to assist the higher education of more than 500 members of the SkyWest team and their eligible family members. These funds are raised by donations from fellow employees in conjunction with SkyWest’s annual Mini Indy.

Congratulations and best of luck to all 32 of the 2016 SkyWest Scholarship recipients!

Aug 17

Supporting The Miracle of Flight

As the largest regional airline providing safe and reliable air service to more than 30 million passengers each year, the miracle of flight is at the center of the world we at SkyWest live and breathe every day. Our 11,700 professionals not only utilize their skills and expertise on a daily basis to safely carry more than 30 million passengers a year, but we also are active contributors to the communities where we live and work. So when the opportunity arose to be a part of the new FLIGHT exhibit at The Leonardo museum in SLC, SkyWest was a natural fit!

To help inspire and educate museum goers, SkyWest donated hundreds of used aircraft parts, components and, perhaps more importantly, members of the maintenance team donated their own time to assist in reconstructing parts of the exhibit. While SkyWest has never operated the C-131, our maintenance experts assembled the aircraft (inside of the museum!), which serves as the exhibit’s main attraction.

Hunt at The Leonardo

“SkyWest was founded on the belief that, through collaboration and innovation, we could improve our communities and the world around us,” said Lori Hunt, SkyWest VP of People. “It’s clear that our core principles resonate with the museum and its mission toward that same innovation and creativity. By sharing our love for flight with visitors, we’ll continue to inspire progress, evolution and excellence in the world of aviation.”

“We couldn’t have completed the exhibit without SkyWest’s generous donation, time and expertise in aviation,” said Alexandra Hesse, Executive Director of The Leonardo. “They were truly a community partner and we are so proud to have them here as the largest carrier in Salt Lake City.”

The Leonardo’s FLIGHT exhibit is an immersive experience into the world and ecosystem of flight, featuring several components and displays. Of course, putting together such an exhibit, that includes a rebuilt C-131 aircraft, flight simulators and aircraft parts, requires authentic materials and professional expertise to assemble those materials. The exhibit opened Aug. 6 and is expected to be at the museum for at least two years. For more information about the exhibit, visit www.theleonardo.org.

Jul 01

Honoring a WWII Hero

Nearly 75 years after the historic Doolittle Raider mission as part of WWII, SkyWest was honored to fly the last surviving member of the Doolittle Raiders, Lieutenant Colonel Dick Cole (age – 101), to attend the funeral service of a fellow Doolittle Raider. With a World War II hero on their flight, the SkyWest crew (CA Mike Spencer, FO Jeff Blaylock and FA Hayley Neves) ensured Lt. Col. Cole received the hero’s welcome he deserved.

“The entire crew went above and beyond to make this a special day for Lt. Col. Cole,” said Tracy Gallo – VP of Flight Ops. “That he was going to bury the last remaining member of his squad made the service even more meaningful.”

Left to Right, Front Row: Lt. Col. D.H. Doolittle; Lt. R.E. Cole. Back row: Lt. H.A. Potter; SSgt. F.A. Braemer; SSgt. P.J. Leonard

Lt. Col. Cole was part of one of the most famous missions in U.S. military history when, on April 18, 1942, he and 79 other brave members of the U.S. Air Force set out aboard 16 B-25B Mitchell medium bombers as part of the United States’ response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Their mission, to bomb Japanese forces in Tokyo, was highly dangerous as their bombers were unable to land on the aircraft carrier they took off from.

Led by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, 15 of the bombers landed in China after carrying out there mission, where eight crewmembers were captured by Japanese soldiers. The other bomber landed in the Soviet Union, where the crew was interned for more than a year before being returned to the U.S. In total, the Doolittle Raiders lost 11 men on their mission. The remaining 69 heroes returned home to the U.S. With the passing of his friend, Lt. Col. Cole is the last living Doolittle Raider.

Upon learning that he would captain the flight carrying this special passenger, Captain Spencer made a quick trip to the local grocery store to pick up nine dozen donuts. The crew then met Lt. Col. Cole in the boarding area and escorted him to the aircraft and arranged for him to sit in row one. After boarding was complete, the donuts were passed out to passengers as Captain Spencer read the story of the Doolittle Raiders over the intercom. The cabin was quick to give Lt. Col. Cole a huge round of applause.

Lt. Col. Cole continued to receive the VIP treatment throughout the duration of his flight to MSO, where he was again escorted by the crew. As we celebrate the birth of the United States this Independence Day weekend, a special thanks to Lt. Col. Cole and all those who have served and continue to preserve our freedoms. At SkyWest, we proudly support more than 1,000 active or retired military members across our operation.

Our crew Mike, Jeff and Hayley are another great example of SkyWest’s unique culture where 11,600+ employees are continually going out of their way to make a difference for their passengers. To learn more about working at SkyWest, visit www.skywest.com/careers .

Read more stories about SkyWest People Making a Difference!

May 30

SkyWest Salutes Our Military Members

On Memorial Day, SkyWest remembers the men and women of the U.S. armed forces that gave their lives, making the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.

At SkyWest, we proudly support more than 1,000 active or retired military members across our operation, and honor thousands more employees who support family members serving. Many SkyWest employees are currently deployed while those who are not could be called upon at any moment to leave their families, jobs and other responsibilities to help defend our country.

SkyWest is committed to doing all possible to support these service members and was recently recognized by the 133rd Airlift Wing for our efforts in supporting six of our pilots in the Minnesota National Guard. Minneapolis Assistant Chief Pilot Chris Mayer represented SkyWest at the ceremony.

“These six individuals, along with all of SkyWest’s other service members, balance both civilian and military careers with pride, distinction and very high levels of professionalism,” said Captain Mayer. “We should all be very proud of their contributions to both.”

Following the presentation, Captain Mayer and the rest of the employers in attendance were briefed before going for a two hour flight in one of eight C-130h models assigned to the wing.

“As an Air Force veteran, I was both honored and yet humbled by this experience,” said Captain Mayer. “They did a remarkable job!”

Thank you to all of our SkyWest team members and all of the men and women of the United States military who proudly serve and have served, and the family members who support them. Your dedication and sacrifice is appreciated today and throughout the year.

May 13

SkyWest Welcomes “Future Flyers!”

SkyWest people across the system gave their Future Flyers a firsthand look into daily operations through Bring Our Kids to Work Day. Parents and grandparents participated by showing their kids the hard work they do to make SkyWest great and highlighting the diverse jobs and skill-sets it takes to keep the operation running.

From tracking aircraft mid-flight in the Operations Control Center to learning to marshal aircraft and inspecting aircraft parts, the kids in attendance were able to enjoy a variety of unique experiences to inspire creativity, curiosity and learning.

At the North Bend, Oregon (OTH) SkyWest location, children were able to see the entire process of preparing for an arriving and departing aircraft. They participated in equipment checks, load planning, ramp set-up, the check-in process and security screening.

At the Reno, Nevada (RNO) station, crewmembers escorted kids aboard a SkyWest aircraft to learn more about the captain, first officer and flight attendant roles at SkyWest. The kids were presented with their wings to become honorary pilots after visiting with a SkyWest first officer to learn what it takes to be a great employee.

Beyond the direct SkyWest operation, kids at the Lewiston, Idaho (LWS) and Eau Claire, Wisconsin (EAU) stations were able to learn about some of the airline’s important partners that help keep the airline running safely. Local TSA Agents spoke shared a presentation on standards of safety and some of the machines they use to assist in the job. The airport also showed the kids their airport fire truck as the children learned about how the airline and airport work together.

Pepper Siegel, cross utilized supervisor in Pasco, Washington (PSC) said, “my son appreciated how friendly all of the agents working were and how they were all willing to show him how things operate. Neither of us can wait to see what is planned for next year! ” It was a memorable experience for all and a great reminder that it truly is the people that make SkyWest great.

Speaking to the kids participating at headquarters, SkyWest, Inc. CEO Chip Childs said, “at SkyWest, we are able to do what we do so well because of your parents and grandparents.” He continued, “I want you to go home and thank your parents, because the work hard and the work they do really is for you; so you can have the opportunities when you are older to work at a fantastic place like SkyWest.”

May 03

My SkyWest Journey: Kaleb Lusby

One of SkyWest’s former captains, Kaleb Lusby, recently wrote a letter describing how he got started at SkyWest and how the nine years he spent at the airline prepared him to get his dream job at a legacy carrier. Here’s his story:

When SkyWest Airlines hired me in 2007, it was apparent immediately that this was a different kind of airline. The environment in which I worked was one that cultivated joy and fulfillment, and helped mold me into the pilot I am today.

My aviation journey started in January 2001 when I was a high school senior wanting to become an airline pilot. I accomplished ground school while finishing my last semester of high school. After graduation I started my flight training at the local airport. By August I was a certified private pilot and, I began my college education at University of Central Missouri in the Professional Pilot Program.

While accomplishing my four year degree, I was also earning credits for flying. This took dedication and passion, flying over weekends, training over breaks and lots of long nights studying. My junior year in college I was hired as a flight instructor for UCM. I spent my final two years building flight time and training some of the best aviators around. My final semester at college, the local dispatch received a call from an air ambulance pilot who had been through the flight program in the past and was looking for a copilot. After interviewing, I was selected and spent two years flying for Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City as an air ambulance pilot.

Then, in February of 2007, I was hired at SkyWest and started training soon after. The tone the instructors set was caring and understanding. If you needed help and asked, you would receive it. Spending time in the right seat as a first officer, I approached every trip as a learning experience, knowing soon I would be in the left seat and commanding the aircraft. SkyWest people take care of their customers and each other.

Once I upgraded to Captain, I could see that the “tone” of the flight was largely dependent upon my actions and attitude. SkyWest had been preparing me for this seat since day one. Little did I know that SkyWest crewmembers had been modeling what it meant to take care of each other, to operate on time and perform with safety as the number one priority. It doesn’t end in the flight deck either; everyone involved has like-minded goals.

During my time as a captain I applied to be a pilot recruiter as well. This was truly an honor to be a part of, because everything that makes this company what it is, starts with who we hire. The people of SkyWest make this company a truly different kind of airline.

This culture that I worked in for nine years helped mold me. And having some of the best training and leadership available, flying great aircraft with phenomenal crews, all within a culture that is truly amazing, helped me to land a job at a legacy airline. Everything I learned during my time at SkyWest has benefited me in my career.

SkyWest is the kind of airline you can stay at for your entire career; however, my dreams and ambitions involved overseas flying. Thank you, SkyWest, for nine wonderful years.

Sincerely,

Kaleb Lusby – MD88 First Officer

SkyWest has been partners with major airlines for decades and we’ve recently signed new flying agreements with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, giving our pilots more opportunity and exposure than any other regional pilot. Take control of your career with SkyWest. Check out our pilot career guide for more information.

Apr 11

“I’m Your Match!” SkyWest Flight Attendant Donates Kidney to Co-Worker

Tonuah Trujillo

At age 16, Tonuah Trujillo, a Seattle-based SkyWest flight attendant, was diagnosed with a kidney disorder called IgA Nephropathy, which over time deteriorates the kidneys’ ability to filter waste out of blood. After an overnight trip last July landed her in the hospital for two days, Tonuah received the bad news – her kidney function had declined to 12 percent and she was going to need kidney dialysis or a transplant very soon.

“When I first got the news it was overwhelming, and we weren’t quite sure how to get the word out to all our friends and family,” Tonuah explained. “My boyfriend, Todd Hoover (a SkyWest captain based in Chicago) and a few other family members decided to start a Facebook page called ‘Team Tonuah.’ We felt it was the fastest way to get the word out about the situation and locate a possible kidney match.”

“Many of [Tonuah’s] friends and family lined up, filled out the paperwork and started the screening process,” Todd explained. “Unfortunately, we soon learned that the requirements to be a donor match can be hard to achieve, as one by one her loved ones were scratched off the list because they weren’t a match. While the list of volunteers was long, nobody could help.”

Jeanette Perez

As Tonuah was preparing for dialysis due to the lack of donor matches, an incredible thing was taking place behind the scenes. For nearly three months, Jeanette Perez, a Chicago-based SkyWest flight attendant was taking numerous tests to see if she was a match for Tonuah.

“I became aware of Tonuah’s need via Todd’s Facebook page back in the fall. Long story short, I went through test after test to see if I was her match with the mentality of ‘if it’s meant to be it will,’” said Jeanette. “I was finally given the go at the end of January and told Tonuah the good news. She did not know I was testing. She didn’t even know who I was really – other than our one time meeting on a Christmas deadhead.”

On January 28, Tonuah received a life-changing text from an unknown phone number. It said, “Hey Tonuah! Good morning! It’s Jeanette – we met on Christmas… I brought you doughnuts. Heard you need a kidney. This is a weird text, so I’ll just spit it out. I’m your match. Really didn’t know any other way to put it out there. Fancy a chat sometime?”

“At first I was in shock!” said Tonuah. “I had only met Jeanette one time, and it was just last Christmas. She was on my flight and I felt like we had an instant connection. Unbeknownst to me, she had already been in the testing program since November, before I ever met her.”

The two connected and immediately felt as though they had known each other forever. Between Tonuah’s courage, positive attitude and strength to push on, and Jeanette’s incredible kindness, self-sacrifice and love, these two incredible women truly are an incredible match.

Following several other hurdles, the kidney transplant surgery was performed on March 28, 2016.

The surgery went well and both Jeanette and Tonuah are recovering, slowly but surely.

“Everything is going well. ‘Leftie,’ as we affectionately call the kidney, started working on cleaning my blood right way,” said Tonuah. “I know it’s a long road ahead, but so far I’m feeling good…Words can’t express how amazing I think our SkyWest family is.”

Jeanette and Tonuah are a great example of SkyWest’s unique culture where 11,000+ employees are continually going out of their way to help and support each other. To learn more about SkyWest and the opportunities that are available to work with people like Jeanette and Tonuah, visit www.skywest.com and check out the career page.

For more information about kidney donation, visit the National Kidney Foundation.

Read more stories about SkyWest people making a difference!