Dec 22

SkyWest Flies 50 Children to the “North Pole”

On Saturday night, Dec. 15, 2014, 50 Colorado Springs children flew to the “North Pole” on SkyWest Airlines’ Fantasy Flight. There they were able to experience the magic of Christmas at a special event dedicated just for them.

This is the eighth year running that SkyWest employees have partnered with community volunteers to organize the Fantasy Flight and transform Colorado Springs Airport’s East Terminal into a winter wonderland. The evening began with dinner, autographs from local Olympians, a petting zoo, face painting and a special appearance by Sky Sox baseball’s Sox the Fox mascot! The little passengers then boarded SkyWest Airlines flight 1225 to the “North Pole” and took off on what was, for many of them, their first flight.

“Nobody got scared,” said Michele Warren, flight attendant – COS. “They all did a good job.”

As they took to the air, flight attendants sang Christmas carols with the kids (although not always in tune), and watched as the children gazed with wonder out the window at the world below them. After a magical, 30-minute flight filled with laughter and song, they had arrived at the “North Pole” (COS East Terminal). The children excitedly hopped off the plane and ran up the jet bridge, anxious to see Santa and tell him their dreams for Christmas morning.

When they entered the room, they were greeted by family and friends, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves! They played games, did crafts, and snacked on cookies and hot chocolate while they opened the gifts that Santa brought them. The atmosphere at the “North Pole” was clear throughout the night: This was a magical experience that the kids and their families would remember for years to come.

“We’d like to do a lot more for the kids, but finances are tight and we don’t have a lot of money,” said Kris Dalton, a father of three daughters who participated in the event. “This is something really special.”

Children aboard the Fantasy Flight are enrolled in CPCD’s early childhood education programs. These children live at or below the federal poverty level, have an identified special need, or have a fragile home situation that puts them at risk for school failure. Reaching out to provide them with a magical holiday event is always rewarding, and a lot of hard work and preparation goes into putting it together. Everything from dinner and the volunteers’ time, to the gifts, fuel and aircraft are all generously donated by SkyWest and all of the volunteers who are anxious to give back and help these children have a magical Christmas experience.

Jamie Young, SkyWest’s COS general manager said, “Seeing the kids and parents enjoy the event makes it all worth it!”

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Dec 18

SkyWest Maintenance Team Helps Hundreds of Local Kids With A Free Toy Drive

This holiday season, SkyWest employees and teams across the country are reaching out to help those in need. Just recently, the maintenance team in Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) and their families volunteered with Laguardo Baptist Church in Lebanon, Tennessee to offer a free toy store.

The “toy store,” held at the church, consisted of long tables filled with donated toys, games, bikes and more. Children and their families had the chance to browse through everything and were able to pick out their favorite items. Last year, the SkyWest team served more than 200 families – several with multiple children. However, after seeing some people turned away due to a lack of toys, they set a goal to help even more.

“We were able to provide more than $5,000 in cash and toys for 300 children and their families,” said Ginger Steed, BNA admin assistant.

The huge success was possible thanks to many generous donations and a desire to give back.

“I think of the 300 smiling faces (plus the stress relieved from parents) come Christmas morning, the memories we created, and the impact that all of it has on everybody,” Ginger continued. “It gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, and that’s what it’s all about!”

This is just one of the many opportunities SkyWest employees have taken to give back this holiday season. Big and small, they are always looking for ways to get involved and to give back to the communities where they live and work.

Dec 10

Slamming Cancer One Dunk at a Time

SkyWest’s history is one full of ambition and perseverance. It’s little wonder then that SkyWest people and their families exhibit those same attributes. Need proof? Look no further than five-year-old JP Gibson, grandson of SkyWest Crew Time Coordinator Sherri Gibson. JP was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at the age of two. Since then he has faced the disease with so much determination and tenacity that even the Utah Jazz took notice and signed JP to a contract in October.

Fulfilling his dream of joining the Jazz, thanks to the Anything Can Be project, JP quickly took the sports and media worlds by storm. After signing his one-day contract in the presence of Jazz executives and media personnel, JP took to the court to showcase his skills. He entered the Jazz preseason, intrasquad scrimmage to a huge ovation from the thousands of fans in attendance at the Energy Solutions Arena.

This phenomenal boy has not only achieved his goal of playing for the Jazz, but he and his family have brought increased awareness and funding to pediatric cancer. His parents, Josh and Megan, have become active lobbyists for pediatric cancer care and are involved with CureSearch in Salt Lake City. And even though he’s only five, JP has brought hope and courage to people across the country.

JP’s story is filled with hope and determination, and is a testament to the human spirit that is displayed by SkyWest people and their families every day. Please join the entire SkyWest team in supporting JP in his fight against cancer, and wishing him a long and healthy life!

Nov 11

Explore Winter Fun in Hibbing, Minnesota!

Hibbing is the largest city located within Minnesota’s Iron Range, an informally named area of the Northeastern part of the state known for rich, iron ore deposits. Hibbing itself boomed as a center for mining and was even relocated in its early days when a vein of iron ore was discovered immediately beneath downtown, which carried more value that the town itself! Today, the original streets, street lamps and foundations can still be seen in a park straddling the open-pit mine.

While Hibbing holds its position as an early 20th century economic hot bed, today it is also a center for recreation, especially when it comes to the treasure trove of winter sports available to visitors and residents alike.

Hibbing is home to the largest curling club in Minnesota, and a great place to view and to try this Olympic winter sport, which involves sliding stones along a sheet of ice towards a target area. A great deal of teamwork, skill and strategy go into curling and is why the sport is often referred to as “chess on ice.” The Hibbing Curling Club hosts the largest curling tournament in the United States with more than 120 teams competing annually.

Hibbing is also the perfect epicenter to begin outdoor winter fun with several resorts nearby. Ski Magazine named Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort the number one Minnesota ski resort and is a top five pick in the American Midwest. Located a convenient 45 minute drive from Hibbing’s Range Regional Airport, Giants Ridge offers 35 downhill runs, more than 37 miles of Nordic trails, show shoe trails and a fantastic snow tubing park that’s appropriate for the whole family. Plus, all of this is offered in breathtaking scenery adjacent to the Superior National Forrest.

Winter Frolic is an extremely popular scholarship/pageant event for young women that has expanded into an area-wide winter festival spanning two weeks in late January and early February. Activities include a sliding party with the scholarship candidates, a city-wide treasure hunt, an illuminated ski night and fishing contest. All of these activities finally culminate in the crowing of the new Winter Frolic Queen.

Find out first-hand what the area’s winter wonderland is like by booking a convenient SkyWest flight, operating as Delta Connection, with non-stop service between Hibbing and Minneapolis. The best fares can be found at www.Delta.com.

Oct 30

SkyWest Flight Attendant Bests Breast Cancer

In 2014, an estimated 232,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. and approximately 40,000 women will die from this disease according to the American Cancer Society. And SkyWest people are out making a difference! From participating in walks and fundraising cook-offs to sporting pink awareness attire, our people are taking action to raise awareness and funds to help fight breast cancer.

Julie Bruno, a Denver, Colorado-based flight attendant, shares her story of survival and explains how the diagnosis helped motivate her to accomplish her dream of joining our InFlight Department. The following is Julie’s brave and determined account!

I started my career with SkyWest in Colorado Springs, Colorado as a customer service agent in October 2006. After getting some experience in Customer Service, my plan was to transfer to InFlight in the spring, but I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007.

I will never forget that day. I went for my annual mammogram like I did every year. After the exam, I was told that the doctor wanted to speak with me. The nurse shuffled me into his office and all I saw were my X-ray films hanging on a white screen. The films were lit up from behind as to not miss a single detail. Nothing was said. The silence made my blood run cold. The doctor finally said, “You have cancer.” The only thing I could think to say was, “Am I going to die?”

That day my world had blown up and would never be the same. Things happened so quickly; trying to get a hold of my emotions was nearly impossible. My decision to have surgery and reconstruction was one of the toughest. Over the next seven months, I cried a lot, laughed a lot, loved a lot, prayed a whole lot and found people that have become my very close friends. I look at my world much differently now than before, and with good reason. My family, my faith in God, and a positive attitude got me through my toughest and darkest hours. I told myself that when I recovered I was going to make that jump to InFlight, which I did in August 2007.

I have been cancer-free for more than seven years now, and I would like to share my story with other women and their families who have experienced breast cancer. Many of us and our families (mine included) have been touched by cancer. We can benefit from each other’s personal stories which give hope and encouragement for a bright future. I hope we can all take this month, and every month, to bring awareness to breast cancer research and prevention.

Oct 24

Customers Rave About Our Amazing People

While SkyWest is known for operational and fiscal savvy, the true essence of our success has always been our people. The following are just a few examples from passengers who took the time to write in and recognize some of the above-and-beyond efforts of our fantastic employees.

I have flown with SkyWest for many, many years and love your service and staff. I have actually chosen my carriers based on who keeps SkyWest under contract. Conversely, I have stopped flying with carriers or choosing routes that you are not part of.

I cannot tell you how happy I am that SkyWest is the carrier for the Moab, Utah (CNY) air service. We have already flown numerous times with you out of Moab and loved it! It’s the same exceptional service I’ve experienced over many years flying out of Grand Junction, Colorado (GJT) and other areas you service.

Most recently, on Friday, Aug. 29, 2014, I had the great fortune of flying out of CNY on Delta Air Lines flight 7432 and Paula Eichbauer – a flight attendant out of SLC – was our attendant. I want to tell you that this gal is a star in your staff of flight crews. I have enjoyed, without exception, every SkyWest crewmember I have flown with, but Paula’s level of quality, caring service is extraordinary. So much so that I really wanted to write to you in recognition of this amazing employee.

So thanks for bringing your fine services to our little neck of the woods here in Moab. It’s beyond wonderful to be able to fly SkyWest even more with you here. Thanks to you all and especially to Paula for such extraordinary kindness, professionalism and care.

Sincerely,
Jayne Dillon May

My name is William F. Walsh IV, and I am a firefighter living in the city of Vista in the northern part of San Diego County. Last week, I attended the Fallen Firefighter’s Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colorado. My cousin, Lt. Edward J. Walsh Jr., was killed in a fire in Boston in late March of this year. Needless to say, it was a difficult trip.

I wanted to comment about my return flight and your crew on Flight 6275 operated by SkyWest, from Colorado Springs to Los Angeles on Sept. 21. The girls were outstanding, especially Iris Kozisek. Both she and Amanda Beatty made my return flight very enjoyable with their personalities. It truly took the edge off of a rough trip. Please acknowledge your fine employees for a job well done. Thanks again.

William Walsh

Thank you to our passengers for taking the time to point out some of the amazing work our people do to provide a great travel experience on more than 1,700 daily flights! Visit www.SkyWest.com to learn more!

Aug 04

SkyWest Crews Welcome Five-Year-Old “Pilot” Onboard

For a child enamored with planes, simply boarding a flight and taking a seat with their face pressed eagerly against the window is an experience to remember. However, thanks to a special request, some amazing crewmembers and a carefully coordinated effort by SkyWest Airlines employees, five-year-old Calibrooke Myers recently had a flight experience that is sure to be cherished for a lifetime. Kelsey Myers, Calibrooke’s father, reached out to SkyWest representatives before his recent flights asking if he could get some type of special memorabilia for his aviation-loving daughter.

“I was just hoping she would get a sticker or something,” said Kelsey. He never expected the royal treatment bestowed upon Calibrooke. Kelsey said, “The crews really went above and beyond anything I imagined. They were truly amazing!”

As Calibrooke boarded each of her flights, dressed in her captain’s uniform, she got a VIP tour of the flight deck and even had a chance to sit in the captain’s seat. Wise and attentive beyond her years, she listened as the pilots explained what various instruments do. And it wasn’t long after takeoff that Calibrooke was busy explaining to other passengers everything she had learned about the instruments the pilots were using to navigate the plane as they ascended through the clouds.

Calibrooke also received plenty of mementos as part of her journey, including wings, posters, cards signed by crewmembers and a sign with Calibrooke’s name waiting for her as she took her seat. The packages from the flight attendants also included the stickers Calibrooke’s dad was hoping for when he originally contacted SkyWest.

All of the attention added up to an unforgettable experience, both for Calibrooke and the crewmembers who witnessed the sincere joy this young passenger finds in flying. With her love for flight and natural ability to understand aviation, there’s a good bet Calibrooke could be back in the flight deck piloting her own SkyWest flight in the future!

Jul 17

Eau Claire – More Than Meets the Eye!

While Wisconsin is widely known for being the land of cheese, communities like Eau Claire also provide visitors with a huge variety of recreational activities and unique adventures that will make any trip unforgettable.

Located on the western side of Wisconsin, Eau Claire (pronounced O’Claire) is the Kubb Capital of North America. Kubb is thought to have originated with the Vikings and is often described as a combination of bowling and horseshoes. During the last several years the sport has seen a spike in popularity in the U.S., and in Eau Claire in particular where every summer they host the U.S. National Kubb Championship. This multi-day competition draws hundreds of people to several local parks where they have the chance to go head to head in an effort to earn a spot in the championship match.

For those interested in less organized sport, Eau Claire offers many more activities for vacationers. During the summer, there are trails a plenty for hikers, bikers and even inline skaters. They city actually maintains more than 21 miles of trails, including a section of the popular Chippewa River Recreation Trail that stretches more than 30 miles in total.

For music fans, Eau Claire is the perfect home base for anyone looking to enjoy the nearby Country Fest or Rock Fest held in Cadott, Wisconsin – just 24 miles away. The area is home to a natural 380-acre amphitheater, making it the perfect venue for musician lovers to see some of the biggest names in the music industry.

Of course, no trip would be complete without the chance to check out some of Eau Claire’s fine wineries, microbreweries and distilleries. The Lazy Monk Brewery offers tours and a tasting of their traditional Czech and German Lagers on several days throughout the week. For a more refined palette, check out the urban winery and distillery at Infinity Beverages in downtown Eau Claire to enjoy a great atmosphere and even a chance to see how they create some of their incredible spirits.

Whether joining the Kubb National Championship, enjoying the outdoor beauty the area has to offer or rocking out to your favorite band, come see everything Eau Claire has to offer! Daily United Express flights operated by SkyWest Airlines from Chicago to Eau Claire make it more convenient than ever. Book today at united.com.

Jul 10

Explore “Dinosaurland” in Vernal, Utah!

Where in the world is Vernal, Utah? While it may appear to be just a small community in northeastern Utah, Vernal is home to stunning scenery, unparalleled recreation areas and even some prehistoric remains. Visitors and residents alike enjoy the adventure and excitement this community offers!

First-time visitors should not miss the chance to step back in time at Dinosaur National Monument. With more than 1,500 dinosaur bones – including some 149-million-year-old fossils that can be touched – and the legendary “Wall of Bones,” the facility is beyond impressive. Presentations and exhibits are also available to explain more about the quarry and the dinosaurs that it contains. After exploring the Jurassic world, don’t forget to take advantage of the whitewater rafting, hiking and camping that’s available within the Dinosaur National Monument.

Just north of Vernal lies the High Uinta Wilderness. The area was established in 1984 and is the largest wilderness in Utah at more than 460,000 acres! Here, visitors discover the peaceful backdrop of beautiful, pristine mountains with areas that are perfect for everything from hiking, fishing and horseback riding, to backpacking and hunting. For those with a less rugged constitution, the splendor of the Uinta mountains can be enjoyed by driving along Highway 150, formerly known as Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. This route stretches 42 miles through the mountains and forest from Kamas, Utah to Evanston, Wyoming and affords some of the most stunning high-mountain driving views anywhere in the nation.

Vernal is also proud to be a gateway for Flaming Gorge National Recreation Center; which attracts more than two million visitors per year. Flaming Gorge consists of more than 207,000 acres of water and land with the Flaming Gorge Reservoir being one of the top attractions as it provides outstanding opportunities for houseboating, fishing, skiing and other water sports. Fishing enthusiasts in particular may be challenged to find a better locale outside of Flaming Gorge where it’s not uncommon to haul in 30-pound lake trout, along with rainbows, brown trout, kokanee salmon and smallmouth bass.

From the high mountains to desert scenery and everything in between, Vernal is a virtual paradise and center for adventure and excitement in the great outdoors! Book a convenient flight right into the heart of the action on a SkyWest-operated Delta Connection flight at www.Delta.com today!