Jun 20

Flight Attendant Impresses Passenger with Helpfulness and Courtesy

SkyWest people are constantly looking for ways to provide outstanding service, even outside of their normal daily work responsibilities. Recently, customer Maurice Griffin was connecting to a SkyWest flight in Atlanta and experienced this hallmark service for himself after Maddie Dougherty, an Atlanta-based flight attendant supervisor, went out of her way to help him get to his flight. Mr. Griffin wrote the following heartwarming letter thanking Maddie for her extra care and compassion.

Dear Sir or Madam,  

On May 16, 2018, I was in Atlanta making a change to SkyWest Airlines to fly to Charleston, Virginia, having left Miami on Delta earlier that day.

I am 75 years old and was hospitalized in Miami for 10 days. I encountered a young lady who helped me with such courtesy and helpfulness that I feel compelled to bring her to your attention. Her name is Maddie Dougherty. You have a special person in your employment! So helpful — I was very impressed. She even asked the flight attendant to keep an eye on me.

I hope you have the opportunity to tell Ms. Dougherty and the friendly onboard attendant that I sincerely appreciated their concern and I hold SkyWest Airlines in high esteem!

Sincerely, Maurice Griffin    

Thank you, Maddie, for your care and kindness in helping Mr. Griffin and the countless other customers you help on a daily basis.

Maddie is just one of the many awesome examples of SkyWest people making a positive difference. Read more stories of our incredible people here.

Interested in joining the SkyWest team? Find out more information at www.skywest.com/careers.

Jun 15

Learning from the Best: Thanks, Dad!

For some, aviation runs in the family! We reached out to Chicago based First Officer Tristan Mazzu to share how her father – also a pilot – encouraged her aviation career.

To say I grew up around aviation was an understatement. An American Airlines pilot for a father and Delta Air Lines flight attendant for a mother made the aviation world an inevitable part of life.

Sometimes on Sundays, Dad would wake me up early in the morning and buckle me into the right seat of our Cessna 120 taildragger. It was important that it was a Sunday, because the FBO a few towns over had donuts on Sunday mornings. Some of my oldest memories are flying in that little Cessna to get Sunday donuts. The best flight of my whole life is in that taildragger with my dad.

When I was younger, I had a burning desire to go to a hot air balloon festival. As the day approached, I was told we couldn’t go. Naturally, I threw a tantrum and locked myself in my room. Dad came upstairs and informed me that he needed to gas up the airplane. Despite arguments that it wasn’t Sunday and that I was mad at him, I ended up buckled in the right seat of the Cessna. After a flight of silence, I saw something unusual outside of my window — a hot air balloon. The sky turned a million colors as the sun set and hundreds of balloons took flight below us. I gave the biggest smile to my dad as I realized nobody else would experience this moment in the same way. I think that was when I realized I preferred the air over the ground.

When I turned 18, I finally got enough sense to take a flight lesson. Having never pushed flying on me, Dad was ecstatic that it was something I chose to do. The hereditary aviation gene, plus a bite from the flying bug, made becoming a pilot my new dream and passion. Shortly after this epiphany, Dad swapped his trips around, and we spent a whole weekend visiting aviation colleges all across the country. I transferred to Utah Valley University within the next school year to become a full-time aviation student, and the rest is history.

There was not a single moment in pursuit of my dream without my Dad being a part of it. Every time I moved back and forth across the country for aviation, he was the one who helped me stuff my car full and drive wherever I was headed next. I was struggling with landings? Dad was there to encourage me and talk me through each step. I needed help studying for my checkride? Dad spent hours quizzing me about everything under the moon, from Airspace to Zulu time.

I’m skeptical that Dad may love his Cessna 120 more than me, so I’m quite honored to be the only one he’s allowed to solo it! Before I started my first job as a flight instructor, my dad and I took a big trip together in ‘Planey’ (original name, I know). It was my 21st birthday present to pack up the little taildragger and fly it on an epic cross-country trip to Oshkosh. We started in Texas, stopped by my first flight school, drifted up the Appalachian Mountains toward Maine, hopped over the border into Canada for the night, crossed back through the Great Lakes and then spent three nights in a tent under the wings at AirVenture.

One day at work, I received a text from my dad to look out the window. We had just parked at our gate, and I looked up to see this dorky guy in a pilot’s uniform waving at me. Dad had walked all the way from the L-gates on his sit, and picked up my favorite food on the way so we could hang out during my turn. He even took me to sit in the 787 flight deck. I don’t care how long you’ve been flying, that will always be cool.

It’s so cool to be working in the airline industry together! A jumpseat meet up has yet to be arranged, but I assure you, it will be happening soon. My goal is to fly a jet with my dad someday before he retires. If my little brother could join in on that flight, that’d be even cooler.

My dad inspires me, ‘plane’ and simple (sorry for the bad pun). He’s the kind of pilot I want next to me in an emergency, and who can grease a 787 on the runway like nobody’s business. If you met him or flew with him, I’d bet you’d agree with me. Not only does he inspire me as a pilot, but also as a person. I admire his pursuit of passion and his tenacious work ethic. He taught me how important hard work is and to never give up on my dreams. He has never failed to encourage me in whatever I pursue and is my biggest advocate. I know I would not be the person I am today without his endless motivational speeches, constant love and undying support. I am so proud and blessed to be his daughter and to be following in his footsteps.

Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing Dads out there, and especially to you Padre! I love you!

Happy Father’s Day to our SkyWest people helping to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals! We’re grateful to fathers like Tristan’s for inspiring her to join the SkyWest family of aviators.

Jun 13

Our People in Action – CMX Bowl for Kids

Freddy Lemmo

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Corporate Communications Coordinator

Earlier this year, the SkyWest team in Houghton/Hancock, Michigan (CMX) laced up their bowling shoes to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) and help deliver crucial mentoring programs that serve the local community.

At the U.P. Kids’ Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bowl for Kids event, SkyWest team members Nicole Johnson, Mary Lou Mercier, Torri Ryan, David Holmbo, Vic Petaja, Pat Willmert, Jeff Stark, Adria Laplander, Brittany Brandt, Lisa Rajala, Sarah Anderson, Megan Chaaban, Anna Arens, Zach Korkko, Amy Sundblad and Heather Garner teamed up to raise nearly $1,000. The BBBS at U.P Kids team says the funds were enough to supply about 30 percent of the total funds they need to deliver their mentoring programs.

“Because of your partnership, your passion for our mission, and your willingness to help… We’re able to change the lives of hundreds of kids in the local communities each year,” said the BBBS team. “Thank you! Your support is critically important to the life-changing work we do in building brighter futures for children in our local communities!”

Bowl for Kids is the main fundraising event for U.P. Kids and connects with SkyWest’s Guiding Principles, said CMX General Manager Nicole Johnson. “U.P. Kids Big Brothers Big Sisters builds a healthy strong foundation for kids in the community to help them realize their full potential. U.P. Kids nurtures children, supports families and strengthens communities.”

Great job CMX, and thank you for representing SkyWest with your Excellent Service and Quality at work and in the community! SkyWest believes in supporting the causes our people are passionate about through the Spirit of SkyWest: Our People in Action program, which is set up to allow SkyWest contributions for any SkyWest team member participating in an eligible charitable 501(c)(3) cause. It’s just one of the many ways SkyWest gives back to the communities we serve through our amazing people.

Interested in joining our team? Learn more and apply online!

May 18

SkyWest Offers Flight Rehearsal with Wings for Autism

For many, the task of going to the airport, boarding a plane and reaching their final destination is pretty simple. Most travelers have learned that lines and big crowds in the airport are a typical part of the travel process. But for others, especially those on the autism spectrum, and their families, the task of going to the airport can be new and stressful. That’s why SkyWest Airlines once again teamed up with Fresno Yosemite International Airport, The Arc of Fresno, TSA, Delta Global Service and Hewlett Packard, to offer Wings for Autism in Fresno for some very special passengers.

Wings for Autism offers airport “rehearsals” specifically designed to alleviate the stress that children with autism or intellectual/developmental disabilities, and their families, experience when flying.

“Going through security for the first time was a little intimidating,” said SFO First Officer Antonio Puentes, who volunteered at the event. The event was even more meaningful for First Officer Puentes because his son, Mateo, is autistic. “Coming through and you’ve got these machines, and you’ve got people standing around. You’ve got the big conveyor belts. That can be very stressful. And so getting through that with an extra help was a tremendous benefit for them.”

As part of the event, 50 children and their families got a first-hand look at what to expect at the airport and on an aircraft. After checking in at the ticket counter, they were greeted by members of the TSA, who explained what to expect in the screening process. They then gathered at the gate, where SkyWest crewmembers greeted them and talked to each child individually.

The children then boarded a SkyWest CRJ200, complete with a special sendoff from crews lined up on each side of the aircraft. After a full safety demonstration from the flight attendants, they taxied around the airport while enjoying snacks and beverages. They were welcomed back to the gate with high fives and plenty of smiles.

“It’s such a great experience, being able to fly and go new places, and they get to experience that by going through this process first,” said Melissa Perry of the Fresno Yosemite Airport. “They are getting a social story to help them through exactly what they did today, and then they can take that with them when they get ready to go on their [next] trip.”

Thank you to the SkyWest people who volunteered countless hours of coordination and expertise to share their love of flying and provide these families with memories that will last a lifetime! Learn more about joining the SkyWest team.

 

May 14

SkyWest and Habitat for Humanity Build Up Casper

Justin Giles
Corporate Communications Coordinator

Last weekend, the SkyWest team in Casper, Wyoming (CPR) had the chance to give back to the community by working with Habitat for Humanity to help build and repair homes in the city of Casper. Seven SkyWest team members, along with their families, volunteered their time and hard work for the community they love while the CPR airport was closed for runway construction. Together they nailed away as they assembled and put up walls, adding paint as a finishing touch.

“There is no challenge we will not take on,” said Lea Ursey, SkyWest CPR general manager. “Thank you, SkyWest, for supporting us in our drive to give back to the community.”

This isn’t the first time SkyWest people have gone above and beyond to give back to the communities in which we work and live. Nearly 200 SkyWest employees showcased their commitment to teamwork and quality last year, working alongside Habitat for Humanity to build homes for those in need in Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Interested in joining our team? Learn more and apply online at http://www.skywest.com/skywest-airline-jobs.

May 11

SkyWest Crew and Make-A-Wish Work Together for Memorable Flight

For 5-year-old Scarlett, a recent trip on a SkyWest flight to start off her Make-A-Wish journey on a Disney Cruise was made even more memorable thanks to Chicago crew members Captain Kevin Jones, First Officer Troy Halterman, and Flight Attendants Tania Randall and Rachel Bryan, who made sure Scarlett’s journey started on a high note.

Prior to boarding their American Eagle flight from Appleton, Wisconsin (ATW) to Chicago (ORD), Captain Jones was handed a letter from the Appleton ground crew. Inside was a request from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin. The letter explained that this crew’s flight was the beginning of 5-year-old Scarlett’s journey on her way to receive her wish to go on a Disney Cruise. It described Scarlett’s situation and asked if the crew would provide the family with a memorable experience.

Captain Jones with Scarlett (left) and her twin sister Evie (right)

The crew sprang into action to give Scarlett a flight to remember. Tania warmly greeted the family and showed them the features of the galley. Rachel showed Scarlett how to make passenger announcements on the aft hand phone at the rear of the aircraft. After the short 60-minute flight, Scarlett and her twin sister Evie joined the pilots in the flight deck. First Officer Halterman demonstrated what various displays indicate, and the girls capped off their experience with a photo in the flight deck.

Below is Captain Jones’ response to Make-A-Wish Wisconsin following his flight with Scarlett and her family.

Dear Make-A-Wish Wisconsin,

It was with great joy I received your letter today prior to the boarding of American Eagle flight #3238 in Appleton. Our ground crew handed me your letter regarding Scarlett and her family. During our welcome announcements, we introduced Scarlett as one of our honorary crew members. I invited the family to join us near the flight deck/cockpit during deplaning, and Scarlett and Evie were willing to jump on my lap for some photos. Thank you, thank you for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful experience! They are on their way!

Warmly,
Kevin C. Jones, SkyWest Airlines

Each day, SkyWest people transport our customers to and from some of the most important events in their lives. Thank you, Captain Jones, First Officer Halterman, and Flight Attendants Tania and Rachel for your excellent service. Scarlett, we hope you and your family had a memorable experience!

May 01

SkyWest Family Shows Up During Time Of Need

“If you ask why I choose SkyWest, I’ll tell you it’s the culture!”

Those were words written by Kirksey Hagan, a new SkyWest CRJ first officer in training. She joined the SkyWest team last month and had an immediate introduction to the SkyWest family going above and beyond after she experienced a medical emergency.

When Kirksey woke up in serious pain a couple of weeks ago, she reached out to a friend she had made in training class, Brent Blackmore. It was a very early morning wake-up call after several rigorous days of training, but Brent stopped at a pharmacy to pick up some medicine before driving Kirksey to urgent care. She was advised to go straight to the emergency room, and Brent drove her there and waited with her until she was diagnosed. Training Admin Manager Jen Baron left work immediately to meet them there.

Kirksey and Jen

Kirksey needed an emergency appendectomy, and her family was not be able to make it to the hospital in time. Jen stayed at the hospital through the surgery, working with the SkyWest Travel Center to coordinate travel to Salt Lake City for Kirksey’s family. She also contacted the training and housing teams to fill them in on Kirksey’s situation. She even offered for Kirksey to stay with her family to help her recover over the Easter weekend. After surgery, another classmate also drove to the hospital to bring an overnight essentials bag and check in on her.

“In a time where I felt my lowest, I had my SkyWest family taking care of me,” she said. “They truly honor and stick to their Guiding Principles, and I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to, and made the decision to, come to SkyWest Airlines.”

Kirksey’s story is just one example of the more than 13,000 SkyWest employees who continually make it a priority to take care of each other. Learn more about the SkyWest team: http://ow.ly/3TU450hdoBQ 

 

Apr 30

SkyWest Inspires Next Generation of Flyers!


This spring, children across the SkyWest system are trading in their school supplies for their wings to get a an up close look at what it takes to safely operate more than 2,100 flights a day as part of Bring Our Kids to Work Day. This annual tradition not only gives the next generation of flyers a look at what their parents do every day, it also inspires a love for aviation as kids get an inside view of what it’s like to be a pilot, mechanic, flight attendant, dispatcher, cross-utilized agent and more!

At HDQ, nearly 80 future flyers got some hands on experience, including creating a flight plan for a rocket and then launching it, getting a 3D look at what it’s like to be in the flight deck and learning how engine thrust works. They also learned the ins and outs of marshalling an aircraft and had their inflight safety knowledge tested. The event concluded with a special message from SkyWest COO Mike Thompson, who noted that of all the important work SkyWest’s 13,000+ professionals do, none is more important than the work they do as parents.

“Your parents make sure that 30 million people every year get safely to their destination. And I’m very appreciative of your parents, who come to work every single day to take of the people at SkyWest, and to take care of you,” said Mike. “Because that really is their number one job, is to take care of each one of you guys.”

In Salt Lake and Denver, the kids got some time in the flight simulators, getting a special look at what it takes to fly a SkyWest jet. The kids in Salt Lake also received a VIP tour of the maintenance hangar and got to test some of their skills in the cabin trainer.

One thing is clear from these events: not only is SkyWest home to the best in the industry, but it is also home to the next great generation of flyers! Thank you to everyone who has participated in sharing our love of flight with our future aviation professionals!

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Mar 21

How I Became a SkyWest Pilot: Anna Yackshaw

Justin Giles
Corporate Communications Coordinator

Anna Yackshaw, a SkyWest CRJ first officer, was born into a family of aviation. Often going on imaginary flights with her grandfather, a Corsair pilot, her decision to fly professionally was made long before she reached the conclusion on her own. It wasn’t until after a visit to the University of Dubuque during high school when Anna knew her childhood imagination would soon become more. She headed to flight school and eventually found herself in the right seat of a flight deck, flying for SkyWest.

How did you decide to become a pilot?

Growing up I was very fortunate to spend a lot of my childhood with my grandparents. My grandfather and I were practically inseparable. He was a Corsair pilot and mechanic for the Navy during WWII and continued to fly recreationally after the war had ended. I loved hearing all about his flying stories, and we would go on our own ‘imaginary flights’ almost daily. Little did I know that this game of pretending was foreshadowing my own career down the road.

After taking countless career assessment tests in high school and not being at all excited about any of the results, I went to visit a friend of mine who was already in college to see if he had any advice. Although he was helpful, it was his college, the University of Dubuque, that guided me to my answer. Dubuque had their own flight school. I was talking to some of his friends who were in the program and they were telling me how they flew for class. How cool is that?! For this Midwest girl who grew up flying imaginary flights with her grandfather, it was the perfect fit.

What made you decide to come to SkyWest?

When the hours in my logbook finally totaled that magic number and I wasn’t in love with my corporate job at the time, I once again reached out to friends for advice. Fortunately, having attended a flight school left me with plenty of friends scattered all over this industry. The trend I noticed the most was that everyone was happy at SkyWest, and I felt that I received the most positive feedback from those who flew for SkyWest. That feedback, in addition to my own research on the company, made it seem like the obvious choice.

What do you enjoy most about being at SkyWest?

The people are definitely the best part and biggest asset to this company. From the training department to the crews that I fly with on the line, I couldn’t ask for better co-workers. I have made friends here that will be in my life indefinitely.

Why do you love being a pilot?

I love that my job doesn’t feel like work. There are days when our paychecks are definitely earned, but overall I love that I don’t feel like I’ve gone to ‘work’ a day in my life because I love what I do. I love watching the sun rise and set at 30,000 feet. I love when we have kids on board that want to come see the cockpit and watching their faces light up when I give them a pair of wings. In addition to these perks, no day is the exact same. This job is constantly challenging me and pushing me to become a better pilot. Always having the opportunity to learn is something that I feel many take for granted.

What do people say when you tell them you’re a pilot?

The most common reaction is shock. Whether it be my age or my gender, I’m not sure. My favorite reaction is when people are simply happy for me and don’t make a big deal about it. I love what I do, but I don’t think it deserves a spotlight over anyone else’s career.

How have you seen the role of women in aviation change?

I think the general public is still use to seeing more male pilots and female flight attendants than vice versa, but I can see those roles continue to diversify with each crew I fly with. In our ever-changing world, I think there will always be challenges but I see them becoming fewer and fewer as time goes on. The growth in size and popularity of the Women in Aviation organization is a great testament to the progress and successes that women have had in this industry.

What advice would you give to women who are considering becoming pilots?

Stop thinking about it and start working on it. This is an amazing career path and even though it comes with its share of sacrifices, I don’t think there is another job out there that compares to the rewards of being a pilot.

Everyone knows that this is a male-dominated industry, but don’t let that get in your head. Instead of becoming a ‘female pilot’, just become a pilot. We all show up to the airport to do the same job. Stay strong and confident and be a good role model for those aspiring aviators following in your footsteps.

Fly safely and follow your dreams!

SkyWest is a proud supporter of Women in Aviation and will be attending the 2018 Conference later this week. Come meet with our recruiters Thursday through Saturday, March 22-24, and learn more about a career with SkyWest. There will also be an opportunity for on-site interviews for those ready to Take Control of Their Careers. Visit our career guide to learn more about flying with SkyWest.

For more inspiration on women in aviation, take a look at this blog post, featuring SkyWest First Officer (recently upgraded to Captain!) Koko Kostelny.