Jan 10

Family Fun in Fort Wayne!

Established more than 200 years ago as a fort during the American Revolutionary War, Fort Wayne, Ind. is the seat of Allen County and the center of a bustling metropolis. And as Indiana’s second largest city, Fort Wayne has an incredible offering of attractions and activities that are affordable, accessible and family-friendly.

The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is internationally recognized for its innovative displays, award-winning animal exhibits and well-manicure grounds. Every aspect of the 38-acre facility is intended to delight the young and the young-at-heart. Here families can enjoy a canoe ride through the Australian Adventure exhibit after walking through the kangaroo yard. Sea Lion Beach is a state-of-the-art sea lion exhibit where daily behavioral training sessions are one of the most popular attractions. More than 500,000 people visit this wonderland annually and have given it a 9.6 out of 10 rating for being an exceptional zoo to visit. It is definitely a must stop on any family foray into Fort Wayne when it reopens on April 26, 2014!

The next stop on a weekend of family fun in Fort Wayne should be the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory where nature is always in season! This oasis nestled in the heart of downtown showcases a multitude of indoor and outdoor exhibits, including the Tropical Garden where orchids and palms thrive year-round and the scenic vistas and shaded paths of the Exploration Garden. Families with younger children are encouraged to check out the Family Garden Close-Up class which features a different garden every month to help visitors learn fun and educational facts about plants and gardens!

Of course, nothing is quite as exciting or brings a family together like enjoying America’s national pastime with the Fort Wayne TinCaps at Parkview Field! The TinCaps offer more for families than just a game, fans also enjoy the diverse entertainment available during games throughout the season and monthly theme nights – every Friday night in 2014 – where everyone is encouraged to have fun by dressing to match the nightly theme.

Fort Wayne’s myriad of affordable family entertainment options make it a must-see destination for anyone interested in unique, wholesome fun. And with the addition of a fourth daily flight to Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) from Chicago (ORD) in April, SkyWest Airlines is helping to ensure that not a single TinCap game is missed! Visit www.United.com to book a flight and begin planning a trip today.

Dec 23

Wishing You the Warmest Holiday Season

[bcPortal width=”480″ height=”270″ videoid=”2948717943001″ publisherid=”1589608515001″ playerid=”1594704828001″]

Dec 18

SkyWest Flies 50 Children to the North Pole!

On Saturday night, the SkyWest team in Colorado Springs (COS) and members from the community transformed part of the airport terminal into a dream come true for 50 children and their families for the seventh annual SkyWest Fantasy Flight! Children aboard the Fantasy Flight are enrolled in one of 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.

The evening started with dinner, hob knobbing with Olympians and goofing around with Sox the Fox mascot! Once the plane arrived, the little passengers showed their boarding passes and were ushered into their seats to experience the miracle of flight for the first time.

“I have wanted to participate in this flight for a couple years now,” said COS CRJ Captain Bruce Paris.

“It really is an honor!” chimed in COS CRJ First Officer Kevin Scott.

The excitement was palpable as the kids fell silent and stared out the windows for takeoff. Once in the air, the flight attendants sung cheerfully (although not always in tune) and encouraged the kids to sing along.

After a joy-filled 30-minute flight full of song and laughter, the plane landed at the North Pole (otherwise known as a different area of the airport)! There, the kids were greeted by Santa Claus himself (and Mrs. Claus!) and enjoyed opening presents, eating cookies and playing games. One little girl summed up the event with a single statement, “This was the best Christmas ever!”

A lot of hard work and planning goes into every aspect of the flight. Right down to getting the fuel donated and making intricate snowflakes to decorate North Pole. But if you ask Jamie Young, SkyWest’s COS General Manager, the planning is just a small part of the big picture. “Seeing the kids and the parents enjoy the event makes it all worth it!” she said.

Thank you to the entire SkyWest COS team, dispatch, maintenance and crew members, and many others who volunteered their time in order to make the event happen. You truly exemplify the SkyWest spirit of giving and what the holiday season is all about!

Interesting side note: In order to decorate the terminal, brand new snowflakes were handmade because last year’s snowflakes were donated to Sandy Hook Elementary in the wake of the tragic shooting. Last year, the COS team sent 200 snowflakes to Sandy Hook, Conn. where they were hung in the gymnasium during the Sandy Hook Elementary Snow Flake Drive.

Dec 11

SkyWest Employees Raise More Than $10,000 for Cancer Research in October!

SkyWest Airlines employees across the country are constantly engaged in many different causes and charities; one of those efforts being raising money to support cancer research during the month of October. Through lemonade and bake sales, direct donations and various other avenues last month, SkyWest employees raised more than $10,000!

Donation Highlights:

· SLC-based flight attendants raised more than $6,330 as a part of Breast Cancer Awareness month, including more than $550 from one flight where a frequent flyer announced he would match any donations from his fellow passengers.

· Employees at SkyWest’s Corporate Headquarters put their cooking skills to work for a bake sale and the Second Annual Chili Cook Off, with all proceeds going to support the American Cancer Society. In less than two hours, more than $500 was added to the month’s contributions.

SkyWest employees are proudly committed to supporting causes like Breast Cancer Awareness, and in giving back to the communities where they live and work.

Nov 29

An Airport Wait to Remember

Imagine being at the airport with three small children in tow, waiting for your flight that has been delayed due to weather. How do you keep your kids entertained and stay sane yourself? Well, if you’re in LAX, just look out the window and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to see SkyWest Ramp Agent Glenn Terao putting on a performance that is guaranteed to put a smile on your children’s faces (and your’s too!).

[bcPortal width=”480″ height=”270″ videoid=”2860197120001″ publisherid=”1589608515001″ playerid=”1594704828001″]

Glenn was recently working a number of flights one evening when he noticed Kim Brouillette and her family who were waiting in the terminal. After marshaling several flights, Glenn saw three little faces that kept watching him through the window. When the littlest one started to mimic some of Glenn’s signals, he realized he had found a way to keep the restless travelers entertained.

Before long, Glenn’s audience grew to a number of passengers, old and young who passed the time watching the young girls following Glenn’s instructions. At one point, “Mr. Glenn” as the girls called him, even came in to greet them with Halloween candy. What had once seemed like a terrible wait turned into a night to remember for the Brouillette family.

“My girls will never forget this,” said Kim. “He was a lifesaver!”

It was a memorable experience for Glenn as well. “I think I had as much fun as they did!” said Glenn, “I know what it’s like to be waiting for a flight and to feel restless. I just wanted to do something that would help these kids smile and make their trip an enjoyable one.”

With attitudes like this, it’s no wonder SkyWest’s industry-leading workforce is constantly bringing smiles to thousands of passengers every day. Thank you, Glenn for brightening the day – for these passengers but everyone that gets a chance to experience the type of service you’ve demonstrated!

Nov 08

SkyWest Job Fairs Are Coming to a City Near You Throughout November!

Imagine having a job you love that also gives you access to more than 177 cities across the US, Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas! Each day SkyWest and our amazing teams help more than 60,000 travelers get to destinations across North America. And although our system spans from coast to coast, our workforce is even more diverse than our route map. It’s obvious to those both inside and outside our team, something’s different at SkyWest.

We operate in a customer-focused, team-based environment and provide limitless opportunities for dedicated individuals to move their career in positive directions. Those on our team also have a chance to work with some of the best professionals in the airline industry and enjoy world-class benefits.

Our Guiding Principles

• Health and Safety First
• Excellent Service and Quality
• Personal and Operational Reliability
• Fairness and Consistency
• Respect and Teamwork
• Personal and Corporate Integrity
• Superior Profitability & Efficient Use of All Resources

Visit us this November in one of these convenient locations to learn how you can become a pilot or flight attendant at SkyWest Airlines!

Nov. 9 Salt Lake City, Utah (pilot job fair) Click Here
Nov. 15 Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas (pilot job fair) Click Here
Nov. 19 San Francisco, Calif. (flight attendant group interview) Click Here
Nov. 21 Denver, Colo. (flight attendant group interview) Click Here
Nov. 23 Camarillo, Calif. (pilot job fair) Click Here
Click here for more information about these events and to find out how to apply.

Nov 07

Winter in Yellowstone National Park

Wildlife abounds in Yellowstone National Park throughout the year; however, one of the best times to view bison, elk, moose and other creatures is during the winter months. During these cold, snowy months as icicles hang form tree branches and rainbows glisten through geysers, the animals move closer to the hot springs for warmth and come to lower altitudes in search of food – making for easy viewing as well as providing excellent photo opportunities.

Access to America’s First National Park, which encompasses parts of Wyo., Mont. and Idaho, is varied. For example, entrances like West Yellowstone are only open for snowcoach and guided snowmobile travel. The snowcoaches are heated, with full and half-day tours available, and knowledgeable guides will often pull over for photos, provide park information and answer questions throughout the expedition.

Adventurists looking for a way to combine nature and sports can cross-country ski or snowshoe throughout the park. There are hundreds of miles of trails, some groomed and some out in the backcountry, that range in altitude from 7,000’ (2,133m) to 10,000’ (3048m). Local outfitters, especially in the West Yellowstone area, also offer guided tours.

Ranger-led programs are another great way to learn about the park and experience everything that’s available during the winter and throughout the year. Plus, the majority of these programs are free! At Mammoth Hot Springs, the Mammoth Snowshoe Discovery takes visitors on a two-hour walk with a park ranger (snowshoe rental is available). Also in Mammoth, the aptly-named Evening Program, which runs from December through February, is an illustrated program that showcases Yellowstone’s wonders – from natural to scenic and cultural. A description of the program is posted in the Mammoth Hotel and Albright Visitor Center.

At Old Faithful, “Geysers Galore” is a talk held at the benches in front of Old Faithful approximately 20 minutes before the Geyser’s eruption. It reveals why Yellowstone is home to one-half of the world’s thermal features. The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center provides the times of these complimentary tours.

Of course, with so much to enjoy at Yellowstone, it’s not always possible to see everything in one day. Thankfully, the park offers a number of lodging options including the rustic Old Faithful Snowlodge and Cabins. Due to their unique locale, the lodge will collect guests via snowcoach for transportation to the facility. There’s also the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, offering full-service dining and accessibility via car from the park’s North Entrance. Both lodges are generally open from mid-December through early March, but check the National Park Service’s website for most up-to-date information, including weather conditions, lodging and live webcams of the park.

As you plan your adventure to Yellowstone National Park, check out www.delta.com where you’ll always find the best fares. Delta provides daily flights from Salt Lake City to Cody, Wyo. (near the East Entrance). Seasonal service is also available during the summer from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone Airport (WYS) where you are just seven miles from the entrance of the park when you step off of the plane.

Oct 11

SkyWest Flight Attendant Bekki Manville Runs Into History

When Bekki Manville’s brother invited her to run a Rock ‘N’ Roll half marathon in 2008, the Denver-based SkyWest flight attendant accepted the challenge, mostly because she learned she could receive a Superman medal if she ran the whole series. Little did she know that five years later she would become the just the sixth female and first Coloradan (male or female) to run a marathon in all 50 states, all under four hours.

After running 11 half marathons and one full marathon, in which she qualified for the Boston Marathon, Bekki knew she had to keep training. In 2009, she decided to run one marathon per month with no specific goals other than to see how many she could do and to enjoy the adventure. After completing eight marathons, the goal of running all 50 states, while daunting, started to seem attainable. She was finishing with awards, recovering quickly and having no pain. Bekki was blessed with a natural talent and knew she couldn’t throw away such a valuable gift.

After 25 states, Bekki was invited into the 50sub4 Marathon Club, a club supporting runners with a goal of running a marathon in all 50 states under four hours. Once the club reached out to Bekki, she became determined to finish the 50 states and D.C. under four hours and before her 40th birthday. On Sept. 1, 2013, on her 40th birthday, Bekki accomplished her goal in Hawaii in 3:30:12, becoming the youngest female to accomplish the feat.

“It’s always hard and I always hurt, but it’s amazing what positivity can do,” says Bekki. “Some races don’t have enough water, or it’s too hot or the hills go straight up, but it helps knowing we’re all experiencing the same challenges together.”
One of the biggest challenges Bekki faced was getting to and from the starting line. She made it to every state by planning races around her work schedule and where her duties as a flight attendant would be taking her. She even spent nights in her car and in airports but has no regrets. “My co-workers, especially the pilots and other flight attendants I have worked with, have been so supportive and not a trip goes by that I don’t get asked what number I am on,” she says. “It creates a camaraderie in which we share our stories and advice.”

If 50 marathons under four hours isn’t enough to impress you, you may be interested to know Bekki has won four marathons and placed in 31 others, including a victory over her twin brothers in the Layton, Utah marathon!

So what’s next for this running machine? Although she completed an Ironman in 2010, she feels she has unfinished business with triathlons. And with 62 marathons under her belt, she figures she may as well just make it an even 100!

Congratulations, Bekki on your amazing accomplishment and good luck on getting to 100!

Jul 03

Discover the Western Treasure of Laramie, Wyoming

Southeastern Wyoming is known for wide-open prairies, horses and cowboys. And while those descriptions are accurate in many instances, they only give a small glimpse of everything that can be experienced when visiting Laramie, Wyo.

Laramie is home to about 30,000 people, but when the Cowboys, the University of Wyoming football team, are playing, that number skyrockets. When there is a home game, the city is literally bursting with loyal, cheering fans that often fill the 29,181-seat stadium to capacity. There’s nothing quite like the electric charge in the air when experiencing a game that an entire community rallies around.

As the only four-year university in the state, UW is a great place to experience Laramie and there is always plenty to do. Two highlights are the art museum and the Natural History Museum. The art museum features works from Albert Bierstadt and Pablo Picasso, along with stunning landscape photography and modern artwork and the Natural History Museum features a 75-foot tall Brontosaurus skeleton, among other wonders. Conveniently, both locations are free of charge!

Once the campus has been explored, take a step back in time with a variety of self-guided and interactive tours developed by the Albany County Tourism Board that will help one learn more about Laramie’s roots. For example, after the town was founded in 1868, Laramie became home to a number of notorious criminals who were looking to escape the law. Walking through this historic downtown, one soon discovers the location of Laramie’s first jail – once home to Calamity Jane. There’s also Lovejoy’s Novelty Works where Wyoming’s first automobile was built. And on the brand new interactive tour, QR codes can be scanned on smartphones to pull up information and videos depicting a Wild West-era shootout and the origins of rodeo in Laramie.

Of course, no trip to Laramie would be complete without some traditional Wyoming favorites like the Cavalryman Supper Club. The restaurant is located on the parade grounds of historic Fort Sanders and features a menu that includes buffalo steaks, prime rib, fresh seafood and much more. Try a Wyoming staple, the original soda bread, discovered by the Native Americans and adopted by the Irish as a start to an authentic culinary experience. With everything to do and see in Laramie there is no reason to wait! Convenient direct United Express flights operated by SkyWest Airlines are available every day from Denver. Book now at www.united.com, where the lowest fares are always found