Tag Archives: SkyWest Airlines

Mar 08

Women in Aviation Who Have Led the Way

Today is International Women’s Day. The story of women in aviation is one of courage, perseverance, and boundless ambition. From the earliest aviators who broke barriers to the modern-day pioneers who continue to push the boundaries of possibility, women have made groundbreaking contributions at SkyWest and across the aviation industry.

Learn more about some of their impressive journeys:

First Female SkyWest Captain: Captain Mary C.

Captain Mary C. joined SkyWest in 1985 and dedicated 32 years of service to SkyWest.

She began her SkyWest journey during the SkyWest/SunAire merger after being rejected at other companies strictly because she was female.

“There were corporate jobs, and you knew you were being turned down because you were a female. They could actually tell you that back then,” said Captain Mary C.

First Female SkyWest Chief Pilot: Captain Laura G.

For Captain Laura G., joining the SkyWest team almost 19 years ago was the easiest decision she made, drawn by the culture of happiness and kindness she observed in crewmembers.

“To summarize my career at SkyWest in one word would be: gratitude,” Captain Laura G. said. “I have had someone at each of step of my career at SkyWest listening, encouraging, and giving me ideas how to navigate the storms and challenges we all face.”

Captain Laura highlighted the importance of perseverance and support in facing the challenges of juggling a personal life and a career in aviation. Her most trusted values are teamwork and mentorship.

Captain Laura G.’s advice to others: “Reach out to mentors, fellow aviators, chief pilots, aviation representatives, and network when you face a storm that could impact your career. Our paths around storms may look different, but the end goals of gorgeous smooth skies after best achieved when we are not alone.”

First SkyWest Flight Attendant: Randi H.

In 1986, Randi was hired as the first SkyWest flight attendant and was part of the first training class consisting of 25 flight attendants.

First Female SkyWest Mechanic: Bobbi S.

Bobbi was hired as one of the first female mechanics at SkyWest Airlines, her journey began nearly 35 years ago. She is currently based in Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC) and is a lead inspector in maintenance.

First Female Pilot: Harriet Quimby
Harriet Quimby was the first licensed female pilot in America. Her inspiration came from a visit to an air show at Belmont Park in October 1910. She took flying lessons at the Moisant School of Aviation in Hempstead, Long Island before earning her pilot’s license on Aug. 1, 1911. 

First Flight Attendant: Ellen Church
In 1930, Ellen Church became the first female flight attendant, known then as a stewardess. Originally a nurse, Ellen convinced Steve Stimpson, a Boeing Air Transport traffic manager, that the presence of women nurses would help relieve the traveling public’s fear of flying. Previously, it was the co-pilot’s job to look after the passengers.

First Female Aircraft Mechanic: Phoebe Omlie
Phoebe Omlie was the first female recipient of an Airplane Mechanic’s License in 1927. She was also the first woman to receive a Transport Pilot’s License and the first woman government official in aviation, appointed by President Roosevelt as the special assistant for air intelligence of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (the predecessor of NASA).

Feb 29

Black History Month: Living My Lifelong Dream

Throughout the month we’ve heard incredible stories from SkyWest people about their journeys to aviation and how their culture has influenced their careers. Before Black History Month ends, we want to highlight the experience of MSP-based First Officer Ryan B., an aviation pioneer for his family and community.

Ryan B. – First Officer CRJ

CRJ First Officer Ryan is proud to be a Black aviator and even prouder to be the first in his family to achieve this milestone.

“Being an airline pilot is something that I wanted to do since I was a kid,” said Ryan. “I did not think it would be possible for a person like me to achieve their dream. It took me sitting in an accounting class and watching planes fly into the Chicago O’Hare Airport to make the switch.”

Realizing he couldn’t continue doing something he didn’t love, Ryan took a chance on his aviation dreams. His pilot journey began in 2017 at Purdue University; continued through instructing in White Plains, New York; and finally obtaining his Airline Transport Pilot license in Salt Lake City, Utah. He joined the SkyWest team in 2021, accomplishing his childhood dream of becoming an airline pilot.

“SkyWest has given me the opportunity to live my lifelong dream,” said Ryan. “Some of the best moments for me here at SkyWest are when a passenger or a ramp worker tells me how happy they are to see someone like them in the flight deck. Not only does it inspire them to achieve greatness, but it inspires me to work harder towards my goal of being a Captain at one of our major airlines.”

For Ryan, Black History Month means taking advantage of all the opportunities life presents and making something spectacular with it. He credits the unwavering support of his family, friends, and colleagues at SkyWest, without whom his achievements wouldn’t have been possible.

Keep Reading

Throughout the month, we’ve also celebrated the remarkable achievements of individuals like Maintenance Admin Mike M. and Flight Attendant Myah D., whose unwavering resolve exemplifies the boundless potential within us all.

Additionally, we highlighted First Officer Kamia B. and Flight Attendant TK S., whose diverse backgrounds and personal journeys fuel their dedication to community service and volunteerism.

Feb 01

February is Black History Month

This Black History Month, SkyWest is honored to recognize the Black men and women who help to make our airline the best in the industry.

Throughout February, we will be featuring stories and updates from our own SkyWest employees.

Mike M. – MX Admin, SBN

Mike began his SkyWest journey over four years ago. He came here from another airline where he had been working in aviation maintenance. Mike says he was initially nervous to begin a new career at a new company but had only heard great things about SkyWest.

“I’ve been in aviation for a little over eight years now and SkyWest has been the place I’ve enjoyed the most,” he said. “It’s the welcoming atmosphere towards all people of cultures and backgrounds that makes it different from other jobs. SkyWest has been very welcoming from the beginning and my time here has been filled with great memories and some of the kindest people I’ve met.”

Thinking about Black History Month, Mike says he is inspired by Ruby Ridges. She is an American civil rights activist who was the first Black child to attend a formerly segregated elementary school in Louisiana during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis on Nov. 14, 1960.

“Black history month for me is a time to reflect on how far we’ve come as a society,” he said. “Ruby’s experience has shown me that if we can learn to embrace our differences, regardless of the noise around us, the sky can truly be the limit on what can be achieved.”

Myah D. – Flight Attendant, PHX

For Myah, Black History Month is a celebration of Black culture and an opportunity to for everyone to learn more about Black History. It’s also a chance to recognize the remarkable journey of the Black community.

Growing up as one of the few Black students in her school, Myah struggled with self-consciousness, always feeling the need to prove herself. This struggle persisted even after completing school, and until she decided to break away from her work-from-home routine.

“I felt like there was more, so I started job hunting,” she said. “My search led me to apply as a cabin agent/cleaner for Alaska Airlines. It was in this job, that I was introduced to the world of aviation: gate agents, ground personnel, and flight attendants.”

A newcomer to aviation, Myah grew up with a fear of flying. Mostly due to her limited experience of flying, her perception slowly shifted during her shifts, witnessing professional flight attendants she interacted with. Despite initial reservations about her suitability for the job, the sight of Black flight attendants and pilots inspired her to apply. Walking into the SkyWest group interview, she felt a sense of belonging.

“Watching flight crews and getting to interact with them made me realize that becoming a flight attendant was my dream,” she said. “I was nervous about how young I was and if I was experienced enough in the industry. When I saw Black crewmembers, I felt so much pride and knew that I needed to apply.”

Contrary to her earlier assumptions, the airline industry, particularly SkyWest, proved to be more diverse than Myah anticipated. While the journey wasn’t without challenges, she is grateful she has been able to secure her dream job of becoming a flight attendant.

“I am so proud to be a SkyWest flight attendant, and I hope anyone who thinks that their dreams are out of reach will one day just go for it like I did,” she said.

Myah encourages everyone to pursue their aspirations, emphasizing that representation matters. This month in particular, Myah wishes everyone a joyful celebration, hopeful for a future where dreams are within reach for all.

Jan 24

SkyWest Celebrates #NationalComplimentDay

Today is #NationalComplimentDay and we want to celebrate the amazing work that SkyWest people do each day! From emails, phone calls, notes and letters, people love to compliment our incredible team.

Here are just a few examples:

Cheyenne, Wyoming (CYS)

A supervisor with United Airlines’ Airport Operations team acknowledged the exceptional performance of Scott H., Cheyenne, Wyoming (CYS) cross utilized agent, for his “AMAZING” care and handling of military luggage. On one flight, Scott helped organize and manage more than 70 military bags within the limited storage space of a CRJ200 aircraft.

John Heath, the United ramp service employee, said, “I have never seen anyone stack like that with that many military bags in that plane.”

Eagle, Colorado (EGE)

I have been meaning to reach out and tell you how grateful I am to the crews that travel into EGE. Both flight deck and flight attendants. They have been unbelievably supportive to my ground teams on even the most challenging days. Please remind them any chance you get how much we appreciate our EGE inflight teams. They are the best and we recognize it!

Palm Springs, California (PSP)

Hi SkyWest, My name is Patty and I have been a flight attendant with American Airlines for over 39 years. I was recently traveling on a SkyWest flight from Phoenix, Arizona (PHX) to Grand Junction, Colorado (GJT) and had a great experience with your crew. Your flight attendants, Susann R. and Russell K., were beyond exceptional! Not only did they greet my husband and I with smiling faces, but they made us feel so welcomed. They provided top-notch service and treated every passenger as if they knew them for years. This type of service is above and beyond!

South Bend, Indiana (SBN)

Solomon is a wonderful asset to SkyWest! He was right there at the gate ready to board and to assist with our maintenance issues. Solomon was kind and reassuring. He took charge and listened to our captain & flight attendants and promised to look at everything. He was just a joyful, solid gentleman.

Every day our amazing SkyWest teams are providing exceptional service to thousands of passengers on 2,000. If you’re ready to join our team, click here to see the open positions that are available right now.

Dec 22

SkyWest Santa Visits Honduras

CRJ Captain Zelaya Amaya grew up in Honduras and never experienced the traditional magic of Christmas. His family always celebrated the holidays with new clothes and fireworks, but with two brothers and four sisters, his parents had a lot of mouths to feed and Christmas presents weren’t in the budget. He always hoped that Santa Claus would stop by his house to drop off some presents, but it never happened.

At nine, and no longer believing in Santa, Captain Zelaya Amaya moved to the United States where he began a new life. He eventually became interested in aviation, enrolled in flight school, and joined SkyWest in 2021.

Over the years, Captain Zelaya Amaya has continued to think about his home country and how he could give back. In recent years, Honduras has faced numerous natural disasters, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and wiping out crops, infrastructure, and homes. Additionally, Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the region with over 50% of the population living in poverty.

This year, Captain Zelaya Amaya had the idea to fulfill his childhood dream by bringing the Christmas spirit to the children who, just like him, had never experienced a visit from Santa.

“I wanted to help the kids forget what they’ve been through these past few years,” he said.

He started a GoFundMe to raise money for toys and other goodies. Then, dressed in a big red suit with a fluffy white beard and boxes of gifts, he flew to Honduras.

“I am very thankful for the job I have here at SkyWest,” Captain Zelaya Amaya said. “Without it, this wouldn’t have been possible.”

During his trip, Captain Zelaya Amaya says it was thrilling to hand out toys and food to the struggling community called Rio Blanquito. The children jumped around, beaming with joy and excitement as their dreams came true. Memorably, one child ran up to him, hugging and thanking him for his new toy car.

In total, he estimates that over 1,000 children received a toy. Additionally, 40 kids received a backpack filled with school supplies and 50 families received a bag of staple groceries.

Captain Zelaya Amaya plans to return to Honduras again next year, spreading the Christmas cheer to even more children.

Nov 28

Giving Tuesday: SkyWest People Leading by Example

SkyWest people are known for providing reliable air service to millions of passengers every month, but our work often goes beyond the airports we work in. Throughout 2023, SkyWest people have regularly gone above and beyond to give back in the communities where we live and work.

In honor of #GivingTuesday, here are a few examples of how SkyWest teams are having a positive impact:

Southern Utah Food Bank
This week, several dozen SkyWest employees volunteered at the Utah Food Bank’s Southern Distribution Center. There they organized and packed over 2,000 pounds of food to help those in need living in Utah’s six southernmost counties: Beaver, Iron, Washington, Garfield, Kane and San Juan. Through the Distribution Center, 46 local pantries and other partner organizations in Southern Utah are receiving products more directly and frequently from Utah Food Bank.

Across the state, employees are also helping to fight hunger by contributing to SkyWest’s virtual food drive. This year we are hoping to raise $4,000. Every dollar donated will become $8.36 toward food and necessities for Utahns in need, allowing us to strengthen our positive impact.

Special Olympics Plane Pulls
Teams of SkyWest employees in Colorado Springs and Chicago “pulled” out all the stops to help support the Special Olympics Colorado and Special Olympics Illinois at two different plane pulls. Both organizations exceeded their fundraising goals and can continue providing year-round sports, competitions, health screenings, and leadership opportunities to nearly 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Spirit of SkyWest
The SOS: Our People in Action program is unique in supporting the causes and groups that our employees are most passionate about. Just this year, more than 30 employees have participated in a non-profit event. In each case, SkyWest donates to the charity on behalf of the employees involved. This includes events to raise awareness for tuberous sclerosis complex research, accessible healthcare for communities in Texas, and the Special Olympics plane pulls.

American Red Cross 
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Together, SkyWest people have donated more than $10,300 this year alone to help those affected by natural disasters and other humanitarian crises.

SkyWest Supports On Board with Autism
Nearly 30 kids and their families boarded a SkyWest aircraft in Erie, Pennsylvania (ERI). Unlike a typical flight, though, the plane never left the ground because the flight was part of On Board with Autism, an event organized by the Autism Society Northwestern Pennsylvania. Read how airport officials and SkyWest crew assisted in creating a positive and memorable experience for all involved.

Thank you to all of our people for the many ways you contribute to make your communities and our world a better place! We encourage you to keep finding ways to give back, no matter how small. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact.

Nov 15

Native American Heritage Month: Culture and Tradition

Native American Heritage Month, observed every November in the United States, is a time to honor and celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and contributions of Native Americans. This month-long commemoration serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the history, struggles, and triumphs of Indigenous peoples in the Americas.

Here is what a few of our people had to say about how their cultural background shapes their everyday lives.

Faye C. – HDQ Crew Scheduler
“Halito (hello)!” said Faye, a member of the Choctaw Tribe of Oklahoma.

Faye joined SkyWest in 2022 in search of a new career opportunity and new friends. Now more than a year later, she knows it was meant to be, she loves the career she’s in, and her colleagues are considered family.

“The thing that keeps me at SkyWest is my Crew Support team,” she said. “I have the honor and privilege of working with people who respect me and my culture.”

For Faye, her heritage is integral to how she lives her life. She loves to celebrate Native American Heritage Month because of her tribes’ rich history of resilience, unique experiences, and historical importance.

“The Choctaw Tribe of Oklahoma was one of the tribes that were forced to walk the trail of tears and were displaced from their ancestral homes,” she said. “So, for me, Native American Heritage Month is about retaining that history, remembering our stories, and keeping them alive. This is important to pass on to future generations.”

Faye’s favorite parts of her culture are passing on traditions through oral history, bead work, music, powwows, traditional dances, and food!”

“I celebrate my culture by keeping our traditional stories alive,” Faye said. “This is something that’s done every day, not only this month. I’ll continue to honor it by strengthening my knowledge in the traditional language of the Choctaw people. yakoke! Chi pisa la chike (Thank you, until we meet again)!”

Patrick M. – OKC Mechanic III
For SkyWest Mechanic Patrick, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, celebrating Native American Heritage Month means that everyone can explore the history and culture of different groups. It’s also important to him that people take time celebrate and recognize their own background and culture too.

“This is an opportunity for all of us to come together,” he said. “For those of us celebrating and for others to gain a valuable point of reflection. Being a Native American isn’t a constant point of our conversations, but I know that I’m valued by my team, and I respect that.”

Celebrating his culture is very important for Patrick. He celebrates this month by attending a multi-day gathering that is hosted by tribe leaders, for every tribal member across the country to meet. There, tribe members enjoy crafts, and learn more about their language, food, and ceremonies that would otherwise go neglected the rest of the year.

Patrick joined the SkyWest team on encouragement from his instructors in A&P school. He reviewed his career options and knew that he needed to join the team. “I looked at my options and I saw my options for quality of life; pay, training opportunities, and ability to advance,” he said. “SkyWest beat the other local options.”

Nov 01

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month and SkyWest is proud to recognize our people and their varied backgrounds and cultures. Watch for stories throughout the month featuring some of our people, including Penny M., parts manager in South Bend, who is part of the Lumbee tribe of North Carolina, and DEN-based First Officer Maria M. who is part of the Leach Lake band of Ojibwe tribe in Minnesota.

Penny M. – SBN Parts Manager

For SkyWest Parts Manager Penny, being Native American is something that she is proud of and holds close to her heart. She is a member of the Lumbee tribe, made up of tribal nations from the Algonquian, Iroquoian, and Siouan language families, including the Hatteras, the Tuscarora, and the Cheraw. Recognized as Indian in 1885 by the State of North Carolina, the Lumbee continue working to educate others about their right to be federally recognized, a movement that Penny holds dear to her heart.

Growing up in Michigan and far from her tribe in North Carolina, Penny credits her father for the knowledge and appreciation she has for her heritage and culture.

“I have a lot of pride in my heritage,” she said. “I’ve always been interested in learning more about my culture since I was 11 years old, and my dad instilled in me a love of where I came from and who my tribe was. Just ask my family, I’m the go-to person for tribal information and family history.”

Before coming to SkyWest, Penny worked as a JCPenney corporate manager for 20 years. There she gained experience working with teams and helping showcase the value of recognizing diversity and fairness. In 2022, a family member convinced Penny to take a break from retirement and join the SkyWest team where she has seen how our diversity has helped us be successful.

“I’m grateful that SkyWest gives us opportunities to share our stories with each other,” she said. “It shows that we can have different backgrounds and share with each other the best parts of ourselves. I think this is why my team has been so great to work with and for me to lead. We all understand each other and have learned from each other’s stories.”

Penny is devoted to sharing her heritage with her family members too. She’s been able to fly with her grandchildren to attend powwows and cultural celebrations along the Lumbee River in North Carolina, where her tribe originated. She also visits local tribe festivals where she can connect with other Native Americans and learn more about their history.

Penny’s favorite part of this month, “Recognizing each other!”

“My native heritage has helped me immensely in my career and has brought my family closer,” said Penny. “I love being able to share that with others and to learn more from their stories. Not only does this recognition help us become more aware as humankind but it’s a freedom that we can all learn from.”

Maria M. – DEN First Officer

Denver-based CRJ First Officer Maria has always wanted to become an airline pilot. As she was training and flying with mentors, she learned about SkyWest and knew the airline is exactly what she was looking for. 

“What really piqued my interest was the culture of SkyWest that I had always heard about,” she said. “Whether it was the Pilot Pathway Program, an interview, or at my instructing job, people would mention SkyWest. They convinced me it was the best learning and working environment out there.”

Maria joined the SkyWest Pilot Pathway Program in 2021 and she recently completed her first flight as a first officer.

“Once I got to my first day of training, I knew I had made the right choice,” she said. “Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful and I’m happy I made the decision to continue my career with SkyWest.”

Maria is proud to be celebrating her Native American heritage throughout the month and is excited for others to recognize and connect with her great culture. She is a member of the Leach Lake band of Ojibwe tribe in Minnesota, a tribe known for their preservation of heritage.

“It is important to recognize Native American Heritage Month because it makes people feel more comfortable and welcome, especially in their workplace,” she said. “Being able to share my story is so encouraging and ensures that representation for the culture and community stays alive.”

Maintaining her connection to her heritage is very important for Maria. She celebrates her culture by spending time with family, sharing experiences, and attending various traditional events. Maria’s advice for those wanting to recognize this month is to support indigenous artists!

Oct 15

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

For Hispanic Heritage month we’ve heard incredible stories from SkyWest people about their diverse journeys to aviation and how their culture has influenced their careers. As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, we have several more stories to share:

James B. Sr. and James B. – Cross Utilized Supervisors, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 

For the Benitez family, celebrating their culture is an everyday occasion and they’re very proud to be a part of the growing Mexican American community in Scottsbluff, Nebraska (BFF). They’re also very proud to be a part of the SkyWest team as “SkyWest’s BFF pioneers.”

“My family is very tight knit, and we can celebrate anything,” said James Jr. “I think because we’re the only Benitez family in the area, my mom and sister are insistent in getting our family together as much as possible. In the Mexican culture, family is everything. Family pushes us to do better. They’re who supports most and it’s who you learn all the important lessons from. Family is everything to us and I love that part of my Mexican culture!”

James’s dad, James Sr., had recently retired from 30 years of service at the post office when he heard about a new airline that would be flying at his local airport. He jumped at a chance for another career and was among the first SkyWest employees in BFF. James Sr. loved his job so much that he convinced his son to join the team only five months later.

“It’s fun to work with my dad,” said James Jr. “Before SkyWest I was a social worker and part-time substitute teacher at my local schools. I wasn’t the happiest and I jumped to apply when my dad called me. We’ve both been here for over five years and we both love our team. I’m also grateful for the opportunities to travel with my dad and attend the NFL, MLB, and college games that we enjoy.”

Captain Jesse B., First Officer Julieta V., Flight Attendant Yessenia A., and Flight Attendant Carla N.

Recently, a Houston-based all-Hispanic crew operated a local trip together for the first time. This experience provided them with an opportunity to reflect on their unique journeys within aviation and the similarities their personal stories share. Here is what a few of them had to share:

Captain Jesse B. – El Salvador

For Captain Jesse B., flying with an all-Hispanic crew was something he didn’t think too much about when he began his aviation career. However, the recent experience he had is one he will never forget.

“I was surprised but excited,” Captain B. said. “It was great to see all of us together and it felt rewarding to be a part of a community who supports each other when we see each other doing well, it makes me proud! Houston may seem small, but we are filled with people of rich cultures and I’m happy to be a part of that.”

Captain B. was also glad to see a crewmember he had flown with before and who was from his home country.

“I’ve flown with Yessenia before and I am always excited because we are both from El Salvador,” said Captain B. “When we first met I was surprised that I knew exactly which town she was from and that I’ve visited it before. I like knowing that even though we’re almost 2,000 miles away from El Salvador that because of our jobs we can still connect and share our stories.”

First Officer Julieta V. – Colombia

“It was a lot of fun to work with this crew and the only thing that made me sad was the fact that it was a local trip,” said Julieta. “It excited me to see so many different countries represented in our crew. That was my favorite part, seeing our different cultures represented and showing others that it’s possible to be a Latino, or Hispanic or whatever, and succeed in your job.”

Becoming a pilot involved a lot of hard work and Julieta credits the lessons she was taught as kid growing up in Colombia. For Julieta, her culture strengthened her to stop at nothing until she had accomplished her dreams of being a pilot.

Flight Attendant Yessenia A.– El Salvador

“The world of aviation is what united us,” said Yessenia. “After our introductions and seeing how we work together, I was filled with so much pride to be on this trip. I loved seeing the diversity within SkyWest come together and it was a full circle moment for me.”

Yessenia began her SkyWest career over 12 years ago and says it’s a “lifelong dream come true.” Growing up in a small town in El Salvador, she would recreate what she thought was happening on the handful of flights that flew over her town. Yessenia wanted to travel the world as a flight attendant. She knew that with hard work and sacrifice her dream would one day come true.

For Yessenia, SkyWest is exactly what she was looking for. She loves her job and enjoys meeting the diverse crewmembers she interacts with. She uses her travel privileges to visit El Salvador and takes her son to show him where she was raised. Her parents are also very proud of her career and still support her dreams of traveling the world.

“My parents sacrificed a lot for us to move to the U.S.,” said Yessenia. “Because of them I got my opportunity to follow my dream. I drove six hours to attend my SkyWest interview, and I got a speeding ticket because I didn’t want to miss my chance. It was stressful and fun, but I got the job!”