Tag Archives: Become a Flight Attendant

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing SkyWest moms and those inspiring mothers who fuel our aviation dreams! This includes the moms highlighted below who have shared their love for aviation and encouraged their kids to join the SkyWest team.

Susan C. & Stacey J.

Susan and her daughter, Stacey, share a love of flying and adventure. Their passion and desire to follow their dreams eventually brought these two DEN-based flight attendants to SkyWest.

Susan got started at SkyWest in 2006 and says it opened the door to the world for her. She continually told Stacey that she should consider a career in the skies too.

In 2022, Stacey decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and join SkyWest Airlines as a flight attendant. Inspired by her mother’s career and driven by her own passion for travel, Stacey eagerly embraced the opportunity to take to the skies.

“My mom had me young, and we are 16 years apart,” said Stacey. “I admire my mom, her spirit, her sense of adventure, and her charming authentic ability to connect with every person she comes into contact with.”

Coincidentally, Susan and Stacey both became SkyWest flight attendants at the age of 52 and both graduated from their initial training classes in the month of October – 16 years apart. Their synchronized paths have deepened their bond as mother and daughter.

“I was honored to be able to attend my daughter’s SkyWest flight attendant graduation and pin her wings on her,” said Susan. “A year and a half later here we are finally working our first trip together. Flying with my daughter by my side was a dream come true.”

Their recent first work trip together was a special moment, symbolizing their shared dream and strength of their close bond.

“To see her wearing the same uniform, with the same passion for service, was a moment I’ll cherish forever,” said Susan. “We can’t wait to fly together again. I am one proud mama!”

Robin and Captain Colten M.

Fresno-based flight attendant Robin came to SkyWest in 2014. The new career was not only a great opportunity for her, but it also reignited the childhood dream of her son, Captain Colten M., to become an airline pilot. “All Colten ever wanted to do was become an airline pilot,” Robin said. “But throughout the years, we were told over and over that the qualifications were out of reach. So, we’d put it to the side.” Once Robin met other SkyWest pilots and learned what it takes to meet the requirements, she immediately got in touch with Colten.

“I was confused by how young the pilots were,” said Robin. “I finished up training, headed home, and said “Let’s reevaluate!”

Captain Colten M. had been in school to get a degree in forestry when he stopped everything and immediately jumped into flight school, knowing he had to make the switch. Even before being hired, he had already forged numerous connections with the Fresno-based crewmembers and felt like a part of the SkyWest family before even taking his first official commercial flight. This sense of belonging and camaraderie further fueled his determination to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot with SkyWest.

“My mom and I have always been very close,” said Captain Colten M.. “I can’t say for sure where I’d be or what career I would’ve gone with, but I’m a Captain here at SkyWest because my mom paved the path. She had my back the entire way and was my first passenger as a private pilot. Now I pretend to be in charge while we work together here at SkyWest.”

Flight Attendants Spring Into Action

SkyWest’s more than 4,000 flight attendants provide exceptional service and help to tens of thousands of passengers every day. They’re also well trained to respond to a variety of emergency situations, including unexpected medical problems.

On Oct. 18, SkyWest flight 5596, operating as United Express, was flying from Chicago to Halifax, Nova Scotia when a passenger notified Rachel Bessey and Sandy Yeary that her child was acting strangely. She said the girl was having a hard time breathing and was lethargic. Rachel and Sandy sprang into action, requesting assistance from medical professionals onboard and providing support as the young passenger was attended to.

“I went straight into what we needed to do, we ended up using quite a bit of [medical] equipment on the plane,” recalled Rachel.

Both Rachel and Sandy said this was the worst medical issue they have ever had on board, but trusting the training and the medical staff, made the difference.

“By re-iterating the policies and procedures in your mind, when an emergency occurs (as the one we experienced), our actions were calm and second nature,” said Sandy.

Photo of: Rachel Bessy and Sandy YearyPrior to landing, the crew requested medical personnel meet the aircraft in Halifax and the passenger was transported immediately to the hospital. Doctors at the hospital identified that the passenger was suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Her mother disclosed that they were shocked to learn their 13-year-old daughter has Type 1 diabetes. We are grateful to learn that she has since improved and been released from the hospital.

“The medical professionals on the aircraft were just incredible. They saved the young girl’s life. It was quite an experience to witness,” Said Sandy.

“Everyone was great, all the passengers on the plane were so understandable,” said Rachel. “They all could tell we had it under control and coordinated.”

We applaud our crewmembers service, compassion and professionalism in responding to this medical emergency and continuing to take care of all the other passengers on the flight. It’s a great example of the great work that SkyWest teams are doing across North America every day.

To learn more about becoming a part of SkyWest’s flight attendant team, click here.

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.

SkyWest Flight Attendant Interviews in a City Near You!


SkyWest flight attendants enjoy an exciting and dynamic career. Not only are they able to travel to hundreds of cities across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas, they also have the opportunity to meet new people and take on new challenges every day. Of course, their most important responsibility is to ensure the safety of each passenger onboard more than 1,700 daily flights.

This is no ordinary job. It’s a chance to be a part of an incredible team that’s continually going above and beyond to provide the best service in the industry.GreatByChoice_0193

Those who are ready to launch their SkyWest career may submit an application today and attend a SkyWest flight attendant interview at any one of the following convenient locations in February:

  • Feb. 2 in Sacramento, California
  • Feb. 2 in Minot, North Dakota
  • Feb. 3 in Spokane, Washington
  • Feb. 4 in Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Feb. 8 in Detroit, Michigan
  • Feb. 9 in San Jose, California
  • Feb. 9 in Alpena, Michigan
  • Feb. 10 in Santa Ana, California
  • Feb. 11 in Tucson, Arizona
  • Feb. 15 in Helena, Montana
  • Feb. 16 in Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Feb. 17 in Aurora, Colorado
  • Feb. 18 in Chicago, Illinois
  • Feb. 22 in Fresno, California
  • Feb. 23 in Boise, Idaho
  • Feb. 24 in Nashville, Tennessee
  • Feb. 25 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  • Feb. 29 in Las Vegas, Nevada

Click here for more information about each of these events. Please note that the dates and locations of events may change without notice.