Spirit closing DTW pilot base

[enigma]

Matt,

I have the problem with landing a boat load of people there I could give two squirts what the feds have a problem with. Also the narrow runway that you refer too is already being violated every day with our operations in GUA less than a 150 ft. check the Op's Spec.

Chill out dude, I'm not defending it. Just pointing out that the perf numbers apparently allow landing on runway as short as Key West.

Now, how about having the cajones to announce your own name?

 

[JohnDoe]

Now, how about having the cajones to announce your own name?

No kidding........what a weasel.

 

[Gearthrower]

Sure, My name is Sean and I believe you have my Cell number and email.

 

[frapper]

Any new word on DTW closing? Is all this new growth supposed to go to FLL, or is there speculation on another base opening?

 

[Beetle007]

Spirit gave word to the MEC two days ago that Detroit will remain open as a base.

They will slightly downsize to 43 crews by April.

 

[lionflyer]

How many pilots did they lose because of that political BS?

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I heard that 3 former USA Jet guys that came over recently left: Skybus, Virgin America, NWA.

cliff
YIP

 

[Gearthrower]

I believe the lost on the low side 20 and on the high side 40 because of the base closure. as for the 3 USA jet fellows I only know one for sure who left for Virgin and he is online now flying there DW are his initials as for the others I could not say for sure. The letter they sent to the pilot group regarding the change in status of the base closure was absolute BS. This management group deserves all the contempt they recieve.

 

[Gearthrower]

Yes, but it will be downsized by 17 more crew and that is it, at least this is the current company lie.

 

[lionflyer]

I believe the lost on the low side 20 and on the high side 40 because of the base closure. as for the 3 USA jet fellows I only know one for sure who left for Virgin and he is online now flying there DW are his initials as for the others I could not say for sure. The letter they sent to the pilot group regarding the change in status of the base closure was absolute BS. This management group deserves all the contempt they recieve.

So an average of 30, I'm assumming Jr FOs less than a year, at a cost of what?? about $50Gs each to lodge, train and Type??? Good one Benny. I guess pilots are too expensive. "Contempt" is an understatement.

 

[pilotyip]

Hi!

I heard that 3 former USA Jet guys that came over recently left: Skybus, Virgin America, NWA.

cliff
YIP

JW to Skybus, what about CC?

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I heard JD went to NWA.

cliff
YIP

 

[frapper]

So will DTW be a junior or senior base? If senior, what's a reasonable estimate on how long to hold it?

Everyone has been so quiet lately regarding Spirit. Throw me a bone! What's the latest? Negotiations? Growth estimates still the same? I read that it's running over 6 years for upgrade currently, that will obviously change drastically with the projected growth right? Thoughts?

I'm trying to get back to MI so I'm thinking either NJA or Spirit, but the thought of a 7 day trip at NJA scares me to death! How's the QOL at Spirit? I can't imagine it could be any worse than ASA.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

If you want DTW, and the 7 day trips are too short, you could go for USA Jet, and have 15, 20, or a trip like my longest, at 32 days.

cliff
YYZ
***Disclaimer: My next USA Jet trip IS ONLY 6 days.
The trip lengths vary considerably, and the -9 trips are much shorter than the Falcon's, especially if you're on PAX, which is, basically, ALL 6 day trips.

 

[iflysky]

Here are the facts from our D.O. Two more aircraft in 2008 and that is it till fall of 2009. More hiring till summer of '08, but stagnation after that. Age 65 will reduce the upgrade classes further for '08. So in terms of a quick upgrade, in my honest opinion, plan on 4-5 years to be safe.

 

[troll565]

Here are the facts from our D.O. Two more aircraft in 2008 and that is it till fall of 2009. More hiring till summer of '08, but stagnation after that. Age 65 will reduce the upgrade classes further for '08. So in terms of a quick upgrade, in my honest opinion, plan on 4-5 years to be safe.

Facts??!?!?



Ahahahahahahahhahahahaaha


Wasn't it also a fact that DTW was ceasing existence as a base on 10/1? Don't believe anything he says, especially in times of negotiations...

 

[Beetle007]

So an average of 30, I'm assumming Jr FOs less than a year, at a cost of what?? about $50Gs each to lodge, train and Type???

I'm told the current training cost is around 20K per pilot.

 

[lionflyer]

I'm told the current training cost is around 20K per pilot.

That might cover the sim for each pilot. I was told about $30K for sim and Type. You have to take into account hotel, rental car and the $1700.00 per month for wages for about 2-3 months. The point I was trying to make is that NK's mangement wanted to "Close" DTW for nothing more than to crack the union into allowing satelite bases or some other form of concessions. It seems to me that it cost them a good chunk of coin to pull that maneuver (which kinda blew up in their faces). Negotations or not, that is a flat out despicable thing to do. I've had my share of idiot D.O.'s but JC takes the cake.

 

[pilotyip]

Law on unanticipated Consequences

It seems to me that it cost them a good chunk of coin to pull that maneuver (which kinda blew up in their faces). Negotations or not, that is a flat out despicable thing to do. I've had my share of idiot D.O.'s but JC takes the cake.

Law on unanticipated Consequences, you know never know the full impact of a move until after the move has been made. As Eisenhower said before D-Day, all plan go out the window the instant the battle starts.

 

[Beetle007]

You guys really think flight ops runs the airline? I would guess many of these unpopular decisions are made above his level. I know that flight ops has very little control over scheduling but people think everyone is out to get them. Marketing and Maintenance both have priority when they develop flight schedules.

Its not easy to be a popular DO, expecially during negotiations.

 

[lionflyer]

You guys really think flight ops runs the airline? I would guess many of these unpopular decisions are made above his level. I know that flight ops has very little control over scheduling but people think everyone is out to get them. Marketing and Maintenance both have priority when they develop flight schedules.

Its not easy to be a popular DO, expecially during negotiations.

They are made above that level. That unpopular decision was made for political union busting reasons only because what better way to make the pilots lives helll than to make commuters out of all of them. I'm glad it backfired. I'm one of the 30 that refused to put up with that BS. I wish the best for the pilots at Spirit but I'm not sure of the companies long term future.

 

[Beetle007]

I've experienced a lot harsher negotiations at previous airlines (e.g., NWA). Many airlines now have contracts that are below Spirit it terms of total compensation and work rules.

 

[castle bravo]

" I've had my share of idiot D.O.'s but JC takes the cake."

What do you expect from former NWA mgmt?

 

[castle bravo]

"I've experienced a lot harsher negotiations at previous airlines (e.g., NWA). Many airlines now have contracts that are below Spirit it terms of total compensation and work rules".

We'll see what the next contract brings in terms of total compensation and QOL. Pref bid will likely be on the table.

 

[Beetle007]

We'll see what the next contract brings in terms of total compensation and QOL. Pref bid will likely be on the table.

I agree. I like our current contract and love option 1 and 2.

 

[Gearthrower]

Do you honestly think these pig lovers could be trusted with a program than runs our whole life like pref-bidding. Not!!!! it take at least six passwords to check my schedule and look at my pay stub an bid. We have not changed or written one pairing in the six going on seven years I have been here and we are considering pref-bidding, noway. Another reasons it
won't work, they want our 4 days between trips. If you take my four days between trips I will hunt you down personally to show you the error of your ways; many long time spirit guys feel this way and new guys aswell. if the union puts somthing forth for the pilots to vote on that includes this its a not starter. Maybe when the company demonstrate consistent contract interpretations, let us write pairings in conjunction with planning, and have one login page that allows me to bid, check my schedule and look at my company email and do all the things that every other airline pilot has been able to do since the internet started then we will talk, but until then they can pack-sand. uke:

 

[Beetle007]

And those 6 passwords (I counted 7 for me) require that you they be changed every so often and can't be the same as a previous password =)

 

[castle bravo]

" Another reasons it
won't work, they want our 4 days between trips. If you take my four days between trips I will hunt you down personally to show you the error of your ways";

Which is exactly my point. The company hates the 4 days off between trips under the current contract. They also hate the month end transition conflicts (option 1,2,or 3), training conflicts, and the excellent vacation conflict situation currently in place. All of these would disappear with pref bid- much to the delight of Miramar ($$$$). $atellite bases are something the company wants as well- for similar reasons. Time will tell what the NC presents the pilot group with...

We will have to re-evaluate what the total compensation and QOL looks like with the implementation of the next contract- hopefully the rank and file will actually be given the opportunity of membership ratification on it!

 

[castle bravo]

" Maybe when the company demonstrate consistent contract interpretations, "


But the company does demonstrate consistent contract interpretation- It's always in favor of Miramar with you left using your own personal time to try (via voice mail, of course) to rectify the discrepancy.

 

[Gearthrower]

Apathy is what they count on most to get their way that is why we must fight every little violation because it is the slippery slope. Let one thing slide by next time it will be a whole section of the contract they let slide.