Selection process · tests · interview · after-hire training

SkyWest Airlines pilot assessment

Updated October 2026 · SET STANDARD

SkyWest remains the biggest regional employer of new FAA ATP pilots in 2026, hiring direct-entry First Officers year-round and feeding mainline partners, but hiring has steadied after 2025 growth and it recruits only pilots with U.S. work authorisation (foreign captains via a green-card agency route).

SkyWest Airlines is the largest regional airline in the United States: about 517 aircraft under contract (June 2026), more than 16,000 employees and around 5,350 pilots, flying as United Express, Delta Connection, American Eagle and Alaska under capacity purchase and prorate agreements. It is headquartered in St. George, Utah, and operates from 21 pilot domiciles across the western and central U.S.

Key facts

Entry routes and requirements

The selection process, step by step

1. Online applicationonline (SkyWest careers portal)

   Application with flight times, certificates and employment history. Pathway cadets apply through their partner school.

2. Recruiter contact / phone screen (reported)phone or video

   Short call to confirm eligibility, availability and interview logistics; some candidates report a brief motivation question.

3. CRM scenariointerview day (on site or virtual, reported)

   Official SkyWest description: a CRM scenario showing how you would perform in a Part 121 environment. Candidates report a line-style problem worked through with the interviewers, sometimes with other candidates.

4. Behavioural interviewpanel (pilot and HR/recruiter, reported)

   Background, core values, leadership and professionalism through 'tell me about a time' questions. Bring resume, First Class medical, pilot and driver licences and passport.

5. Technical interviewverbal, with a SkyWest pilot

   Jeppesen chart reading, FARs (Part 91/121/117), weather and CRM, plus general aircraft knowledge. Verbal, not a written exam.

6. Conditional offer, background and classadministrative

   Results reported the same day or within days. Conditional offer subject to PRIA records, background check, drug test and documents.

Aptitude and psychometric tests

• CRM scenario
• behavioural interview
• verbal technical interview

None officially stated; some commercial prep sites mention psychometric testing, unconfirmed

Group exercise

CRM scenario (official stage); some candidates report working the scenario with other candidates, others one-to-one with the panel.

The interview

Interview day with three parts (official): CRM scenario, behavioural interview and technical interview; panel of SkyWest pilots and HR/recruiters (reported); on site (St. George or Salt Lake City reported) or virtual depending on the cycle

• Why SkyWest and why regional flying
• Teamwork, CRM and speaking up
• Integrity and professionalism
• Leadership and readiness for a fast upgrade
• Customer service across four partner brands

Typical questions to prepare

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why SkyWest rather than another regional?
• Which partners does SkyWest fly for and what is the difference between capacity purchase and prorate?
• What do you know about our fleet?
• Tell me about a time you disagreed with a captain or instructor.
• Describe a mistake you made in flying.

The simulator assessment

Language and after selection

English (FAA English Proficiency Endorsement required on the certificate).

6-7 week AQP initial training: CRJ ground and simulator in Salt Lake City; E175 ground school in Denver with simulators in Denver and Salt Lake City; then IOE. Most new hires start on reserve (about 2-hour call-out) in one of 21 domiciles by seniority and domicile need: ATL, AUS, BOI, COS, DEN, DFW, DTW, FAT, IAH, LAX, MKE, MSP, ORD, PDX, PHX, PSP, SAN, SEA, SFO, SLC, TUS.

Common reasons candidates fail

• Inconsistencies between application, logbook and FAA/PRIA records
• Applying EASA rules (fuel, alternates, holding speeds) instead of FAA ones in the technical interview
• Weak Jeppesen chart briefing, especially MSA, notes and missed approach
• No clear decision or poor teamwork in the CRM scenario
• Generic STAR stories without a result or lesson

Get the complete SkyWest Airlines Assessment Guide

164 pages: company history and culture, every stage of the selection, model interview answers, technical refresher, Embraer E175 · Bombardier CRJ-900/700/550/200 systems and a simulator chapter for preparation where a sim stage applies (no simulator stage is consistently reported in SkyWest Airlines selection). Updated for 2026.

Look inside the guide

Status: Preview · current to October 2026 · not on sale yet · join the waiting list

Practice questions: company knowledge

Interview practice drawn from public sources; the answers are not an FAQ about the guide.

Preparation guides

Other airline assessments

Main sources

https://www.skywest.com/skywest-airline-jobs/career-guides/pilot-jobs
https://idahoworks.gov/jobs/2574145
https://atpflightschool.com/airlines/skywest_alliance.html
https://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/regional/skywest
https://skyborne.com/us/skywest-faqs/

SET STANDARD is an independent training publisher, not affiliated with SkyWest Airlines. Information compiled from public sources and candidate reports; always confirm with the airline’s official careers page.