Feb 25

International Falls –An Exciting All-Season Destination!

Known for having “More to Explore,” Minnesota is a fantastic place to have an adventure. And there’s no better place to start than in International Falls! From winter festivities and must-see natural attractions to international access that is literally within walking distance, the “Icebox of the Nation” has something for everyone. Check out some of the following ideas to begin planning your trip today!

For cold-weather lovers, it doesn’t get much better than International Falls where the high temperature in January averages just 2.7 °F. Of course, as the temperature drops, the cities begin bustling with activities like ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and more. Plus, the Icebox Days are held every year in January and annual events like the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run are a massive hit with spectators and participants alike.

Located directly across from Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada, International Falls serves as a gateway to the United States’ northern neighbor. Be sure to visit the International Bridge connecting the two cities! Bikers and pedestrians can cross free of charge while motorists can drive across the bridge for a small toll. Don’t forget, all travelers must be cleared through U.S. or Canadian Customs.

For those wondering where International Falls gets its name, look no further than the International Bridge. The falls, though no longer visible, are located directly under the bridge. The power from the falls was harnessed with the building of a dam in 1909 and the hydroelectric energy continues to fuel the local Boise paper mill. The mill offers tours in June, July and August and is listed as one of the top 18 plant tours in the country.

From International Falls, visitors enjoy convenient access some of the country’s most pristine and moving natural attractions, including the picturesque Voyageurs National Park. This park features more than 200,000 acres of breathtaking scenery composed of interconnected waterways, islands, campsites and wildlife. Another favorite attraction is Smokey Bear Park, located just three miles from the Falls International Airport. Visitors are welcomed to the park by a 26-foot, 82-ton, replica of Smokey the Bear. Bike trails are also abundant throughout the area, including one of northern Minnesota’s most scenic trails that begins in International Falls and ends near the Rainy Lake Visitor Center entrance to Voyageurs National Park.

Summers are another great time to visit International Falls with temperatures normally in the 70s and an abundance of sunshine. In July, visitors will want to see the annual International Tug-of-War, Pulling for Peace, across the Rainy River. This favorite event takes place each July 2 as teams of tuggers in Fort Frances and International Falls try to take home the coveted trophy. Then in August, the International Falls Bass Championship gets underway, drawing numerous anglers for two days of events and fun activities for all ages.

When in International Falls, be sure to stop at the Chocolate Moose Restaurant for a family meal with portions so huge and so good that a second trip is almost always required. If a quick fix is in order, stop by the Coffee Landing Café and grab a scone – available throughout the day.

At the end of the day, the Historic Kettle Falls Hotel is a great place to stay. Guests can also take in the scenic view from the dam which controls the lake levels, and is uniquely accessible by boat or ferry service only. Hosts Rick and Barb at the nostalgic Hilltop Motel also offer an alternative lodging choice that present a traveler’s oasis akin to yesteryear.

Come and see for yourself all the interesting, beautiful and memorable sights International Falls has to offer. SkyWest Airlines offers convenient, daily Delta flights to International Falls from Minneapolis. Book today at www.Delta.com.

Feb 13

SkyWest Family Member Finishes in Top 10 for Olympic Snowboard Halfpipe!

The people working at SkyWest Airlines are truly what makes the company great. And SkyWest pride was running high as 18-year-old Kent Callister, son of Kim Callister, a SkyWest flight attendant based in SFO, made his Olympic debut in Sochi. Kent is the first Australian man to finish in the top 10 in the snowboard halfpipe at the Olympics.

Kent moved with his family from the Gold Coast in Australia to Oregon when he was 10. He came up through the U.S. junior snowboarding ranks and was even invited to the U.S. team. Kent chose to join the Australian team because of their amazing training program and with the hope of one day going to the Olympics.

Even as he was making his way through the senior international ranks, Kent didn’t expect he would ever be included among the ten best in the world at Sochi. In fact, he just learned his two different double corks in the weeks leading up to the games but has shown considerable composure to perform them for the first time under the pressure of Olympic competition.

“It was more than I ever expected,” said Kent when he reached the final. “It was just unreal, that’s the best contest I’ve ever been in. It was the best day of my life too. I just had so much fun out there riding with everyone.’’

“We could not be prouder of our son!” says Kim. “He is not only an amazing athlete, but he is the kindest, most sincere, fun-loving child we could ask for (besides our daughter)!”

Congratulations, Kent on an amazing performance!

Jan 15

Experience the Thrilling CopperDog150 in Houghton!

With an average annual snowfall of 241 inches, it should come as no surprise that residents living near Houghton, Mich. in the Upper Peninsula have chosen to embrace the cold weather and all of the exhilarating opportunities it brings – especially the annual CopperDog 150 and CopperDog 40. These annual sled dog races bring together mushers from around the world to Calumet, Mich. – just a few miles north of Houghton – for an event unlike anything else in the world.

The CopperDog races are usually held on the first weekend in March (Feb. 28 – March 2 in 2014) and feature a mixture of professional and recreational teams. The mushers, along with 440 sled dogs, will spend upwards of three days traveling across miles of pristine, rolling, back-country trails. All along the way, they are greeted by cheering volunteers who help with the dogs, provide housing, oversee trail crossings and ensure the safety of everyone involved. For spectators, the community holds “Meet the Dogs” events and even free sled dog rides to help educate everyone on the history and sport of sled dog racing.

After the races, visitors can continue enjoying Houghton’s winter wonderland by hitting the slopes at Mont Ripley. Besides its ideal locale – right between Hancock and Houghton cities on the campus of Michigan Tech – Mont Ripley is known for having the most snow in the Midwest. The ski area features 24 trails, three lifts and 112 acres of skiable terrain, and is perfectly designed for skiers of every level.

With two daily United Express flights from Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) to Chicago (ORD), operated by SkyWest, it’s easy to get to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. To get started on an unforgettable, snow-filled adventure, go to www.United.com and book a flight today!

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.