Virgin America firms up aircraft orders and options.

[SMcC]

You tell us Boomlrd. You're the one with the inside intel.

 

[Fubijaakr]

Is VA going to buy Spirit or merge?

WHY would they want a group of Union pilots who have shown the willingness to strike when they can get a bunch of SJS struck RJ pilots willing to be doormats for an A320 type rating?

 

[SMcC]

The pilots (a few) I know at Virgin America are far from fitting that discription.

...of course they're former Spirit pilots though.

 

[strobzz]

WHY would they want a group of Union pilots who have shown the willingness to strike when they can get a bunch of SJS struck RJ pilots willing to be doormats for an A320 type rating?

It`s experts like you that don`t even know what your talking about!Have you even looked at the history of the pilot group at VA?Let me give you a run down before you run your mouth anymore! Usair,United,Aloha,ATA,Americawest,Spirit,these people where all card carrying members of ALPA!And, "OH GREAT ONE" what was your fist type on?

 

[Ralph Cramden]

And a few DL, one AA guy that made a big impression, a bunch of Airborne and don't forget us Indy guys either. True, there are pilots from ASA, Comair, Mesa and Skywest, but also a sizable contingent from Horizon.

The point Fubi is there is a diverse pilot group at VA, not all from one mold as you wish to believe. We may or may not go union in the future, but right now are being well treated.

Sorry you work in such a poor environment Fubi, but that's your problem, not ours.

 

[Busdriver320]

You can't blame the Spirit pilots for wanting a merger. They want new management, a better customer-service product, VA's delivery schedule (more growth than Spirit has planned), and to staple 450+ pilots below all of them. VA pilots would like Spirit pay and the East Coast flying.

 

[kwick]

You can't blame the Spirit pilots for wanting a merger. They want new management, a better customer-service product, VA's delivery schedule (more growth than Spirit has planned), and to staple 450+ pilots below all of them. VA pilots would like Spirit pay and the East Coast flying.

No experienced pilot would propose a staple in this business, because
"What goes around, comes around." A very bad precedent to set for
future mergers.

 

[SMcC]

The Spirit pilot group would never want anything less than a fair integration of any two pilot groups involved in a merger. But because we're all very impatient we put the cart before the horse. As pilots we are really just along for the ride.

 

[johnsonrod]

The Spirit pilot group would never want anything less than a fair integration of any two pilot groups involved in a merger. But because we're all very impatient we put the cart before the horse. As pilots we are really just along for the ride.

Especially if you fly the Airbus from what I hear.... :laugh::laugh: Don't get me wrong, I'd fly one if someone gave me the keys...

 

[SMcC]

Oh thems fightin' words!!!

Seriously though it was meant in reference to a hypothetical merger, with emphasis on hypothetical.

The airbus is of course capable of a high level of automation, as is any modern day airliner. The best pilots remain engaged while the worst among us just slip into a mode slightly above passenger. And it sure does show. The best pilot is a master of every aspect of the automation, but is still master with it all turned off. It's still 2 wings and 2 engines following the same laws of physics that keeps a DC8 aloft.

 

[Q400 Gear Bitch]

And a few DL, one AA guy that made a big impression, a bunch of Airborne and don't forget us Indy guys either. True, there are pilots from ASA, Comair, Mesa and Skywest, but also a sizable contingent from Horizon.

The point Fubi is there is a diverse pilot group at VA, not all from one mold as you wish to believe. We may or may not go union in the future, but right now are being well treated.

Sorry you work in such a poor environment Fubi, but that's your problem, not ours.

And at least one Alaska guy too Ralph..., there may be more.

 

[Tomct]

Don't try and appease Fubi...he is just another angry pilot who will NEVER be happy, no matter how much money we all make. Don't forget JetBlue guys and a few Emirates. A very experienced pilot group to say the least.

 

[strobzz]

Thanks for pipen in with the rest of the group,the airlines I mentioned where the only ones I could come up with that where previous ALPA folks.

Thanks,
strobzz

 

[johnsonrod]

Quick questions that have likely been asked and answered before:

What's the likelihood that a newhire could get based in either LAX or JFK within the first or second year? I realize most would get SFO right off the bat. Are they expanding the LAX and JFK bases? Lastly, which are the most senior bases in order (i.e., LAX is the most senior with JFK and SFO trailing)?

 

[pilotpm]

Quick questions that have likely been asked and answered before:

What's the likelihood that a newhire could get based in either LAX or JFK within the first or second year? I realize most would get SFO right off the bat. Are they expanding the LAX and JFK bases?

LAX would be very EZ, JFK would probably take a bit longer.

 

[mxer]

LAX can happen pretty much immediately.

 

[lanilila]

Quick questions that have likely been asked and answered before:

What's the likelihood that a newhire could get based in either LAX or JFK within the first or second year? I realize most would get SFO right off the bat. Are they expanding the LAX and JFK bases? Lastly, which are the most senior bases in order (i.e., LAX is the most senior with JFK and SFO trailing)?

LAX may grow to 60 crews by fall. Currently there is 19 crews. JFK is very senior only 10 crews and has no plans of growing yet.

 

[hyflyin]

Quick questions that have likely been asked and answered before:

What's the likelihood that a newhire could get based in either LAX or JFK within the first or second year? I realize most would get SFO right off the bat. Are they expanding the LAX and JFK bases? Lastly, which are the most senior bases in order (i.e., LAX is the most senior with JFK and SFO trailing)?

The last bid awarded a guy with just over a year into the JFK base. Not sure how the current deliveries would affect that (as it relates to length of upgrade), but obviously things are moving rapidly. There are also open time trips to pick up out of JFK and IAD occasionally. It may not have you based in Jfk, but it would help out with the commute.