Spirit Interview Profile?

[MX Rider]

Does anyone have a RECENT interview profile for Spirit Airlines? What makes them GLAD and what makes them SAD? Is it realistic for a new hire to get the FLL base? What are their reserve rules (call-out time, min days off, picking-up on days-off)? Pay?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MadDog74]

The interview as of a few months ago was actually one of the harder interviews I have had. They do not always give a lot of advanced notice so be ready if your stuff is in. They love Dc9 and MD80 time, obviously, especially the MD80.

The interview started with a written test. Although some questions were easy: airspace and airspeed questions, many were from the private pilot era with light gun signals, altimer settings and density altitudes.,etc. It is not enough to review only ATP type questions. From there we had three separate interviews...all the interviews were 2 on 1 and they made you feel comfortable. First there was an HR with all different type of scenario questions. There is really no way to prepare for them other then reflecting on how you've handled various situations in your past. Second, a technical interview which mounted to 10 questions on the DC9 for me...memory items, minor systems such as what happens when you pull the T handle, etc...third was with the dir and ass. dir. of training...why Spirit? that kind of stuff...try to sniff you out to determine if you would lie to stay or leave.

The biggest thing they want are quality people. Spirit used to have big problems and a different philosophy. They have totally transformed training and are currently doing it to the company...on the midst of a major expasion to be announced very shortly, profitable and doiung well. New philosophy is of pride and optimism about a great future...they want great attitudes and they want to know that you could be planning a career with them.

Is it possible to get FLL right away...yes...very....many international destinations are coming from FLL soon..very possible. Lots of movement dso if you did not get it it would be hard to think it would be longer then a few months. I heard as many as 100 new pilots this year...with 30- 50 A320 jets coming.

1st year: 39$
2nd year: 51$
Ca upgrade holding around two years if the jets start arriving.
They were not requiring seniority resignation...I am not sure about now however

Hope that helps...god luck.

MD

 

[MadDog74]

Other stuff.....

Min days off :12
Reserve days off: groups of four
Min guarantee 72 hours

 

[MX Rider]

Thanks MD 74!

Thanks MD!

Your info is much appreciated. I did get a short call for an interview. Therefore, I am trying to CRAM! Are you working at Spirit now (hope that's not to personal) ? IF YES, ....how do you like it?

If anyone else has anything to add about the process at Spirit I am open to any and all advice/knowledge.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[enigma]

The biggest thing they want are quality people. Spirit used to have big problems and a different philosophy.

Your phrasing would seem to indicate that we used to to have a problem with the quality of our people. I hope that I have misread your comments, because if it wasn't for the quality of our pilots, Spirit would have self destructed long before Dr. Schorr bought Ned out. When I was a new hire, we had Captains using their own cell phones to call dispatch and m/x. Half of our gate agents had no clue. I personally witnessed numerous occasions when the crew literally had to orchestrate the entire turn. I'm not saying that the pilots saved the company, I'm saying that our pilots were/are of high enough quality to have carried the carrier through some hard times. After the great snow storm of 2001, the CEO himself sent out a letter acknowledging the contributions that we made to keeping the company running.

Since I've been a Spirit pilot I have had the pleasure to fly with pilots who came from: Braniff, Texas International, Continental, Eastern, Pan Am, TWA, etc. These pilots were of the quality necessary to gain acceptance at those fine carriers, the onetime class acts of the sky. We have ex-mil pilots that flew everything from AirForce One, to F15's, to Herks. They all found themselves at Spirit entirely because of age, timing, karma, luck etc. They were, and are some of the finest humans I have ever known.

...on the midst of a major expasion to be announced very shortly, profitable and doiung well. New philosophy is of pride and optimism about a great future...they want great attitudes and they want to know that you could be planning a career with them.

I'm still "waiting for the order", and I have pride if you couldn't tell.


MXRider, Sorry that I don't have any current interview info. I stay as far away from the head shed as I possibly can. Maddog74's account dovetails with what I have heard the situation to be.

regards,
enigma

 

[MadDog74]

Enigma,

Definitely...we are misunderstanding one another. That is precisely what I am talking about...pilots using their cell phones to call dispatch...etc, etc...the pilot group that we have at Spirit is incredible...all different kinds of backgrounds and personalities make it a blast to be flying with them. When I talk of a "different philosophy back then" I mean that I feel the company realizes now that it needs to invest the right money and resources into their people, into their training, etc. Those words came from the same check airman that gave pcs and training and IOE. I feel that the employees of Spirit realize that it is a wonderful company to be at- so do I.

MX, I think you would love Spirit for the reasons I gave before and some of the philosophy I share now. No matter where you go you will have some frusterations, but, I would be happy to retire at Spirit. I grow prouder about our company everyday I am here.

It's an interesting analogy when you think about the big majors and our pay scale. By the time you see their revised schedules for pay because of the concessions and our scale as it continues to grow because of our success, the difference on the top..at 14 years...is not that much different from eachother. At this time we have a great 401k plan but no retirement...to be honest with you...I dont know that anyone will have pensions in the future anyways.

Good luck on the interview and be positive...have your questions ready for them, they love that....be honest open

MD

 

[MX Rider]

Looking for a Spirited Place!

Thank you for your support MD and Enigma. I am polishing my interview techniques and educating myself a bit more on Spirit's history. I'll be sure to have some good questions for them.

Speaking of questions,
1st year: 39$
2nd year: 51$

were these figures per flight credit or yearly/1000? And, do either of you know the reserve call-out time?

Thanks again guys! Spirit sounds like a real nice place. Hope I get a chance to find out for myself.

 

[enigma]

Re: Looking for a Spirited Place!

Speaking of questions,
1st year: 39$
2nd year: 51$

were these figures per flight credit or yearly/1000? And, do either of you know the reserve call-out time?

Thanks again guys! Spirit sounds like a real nice place. Hope I get a chance to find out for myself.

Pay is based upon flight hours. Basically, we have a 72 hour monthly guarantee. However, your transition choice could leave you with less than 72.

Reserve call out time was two hours from phone call til departure. I consider the call out to be a one hour call, because it takes me an hour to get all my ducks in a row.

Spirit is a nice place, we are small and most of us act like family. Pilot/management relations could be better. They keep re-writing the rule interpretations as they go along. We gave up a lot of specifics in our last contract. Unfortunately, we thought that we had also gained, but the definitions also have changed. Meaning that we didn't gain as much as we thought. We basically broke even. IF the next negotiations go as heavy handed as these last talks, the relations will get worse. I hope not.

regards,
enigma

 

[JASP-1]

For what it is worth, I have heard the number (80 more) Pilots this year

 

[MX Rider]

80 more pilots for the year!

Good News! Thanks! Wow, my timing is looking pretty good......................for Once. And, it's about Time......it's all about Time.

 

[castle bravo]

Picking up a trip or reserve period on a scheduled day off pays 150%. Junior assign pays 200%.

 

[MD80JAD]

Call outs for reserve are 2 hours in the air (door closed) you have 15 minutes to respond to Crew sched's call. then 1.5 hours to show and get to the plane and go. Most call outs for reserve line holders are the night before the trip ... Every now and then they call you up for the gotta go trip. Reserve pilots can only pick up OT(150%) for reserve days. Since we are short on pilots you can get a few extra bucks a month. Scheduling seems to be short on weekends usually. You can also get released early (a few Hours) on your last day of reserve. GOOD LUCK

 

[wbaap]

Spirit Crew base

Just to reiterate the question posed by MX, is FLL possible/realistic for a newhire?

 

[JASP-1]

It is possible, the Jan Class had 10 people 7 wanted FLL 3 got it depends on the last four digits of your social. If hiring goes as expected I believe everybody will get where they want very very quickly at least for now.

 

[wbaap]

Spirit crew base

Thanks for the info, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

[crashpad]

With their influx of cash, Spirit will be the place to fly!

 

[enigma]

With their influx of cash, Spirit will be the place to fly!

Are you just exhibiting a positive attitude?, or are you privy to some knowledge that indicates the cash influx will somehow make Spirit "the place to fly"? From my perspective, the new investors will not change the job one whit. We have a contract that is not renewable for another three years. The only persons who will experience any improvement over the current, are the present junior Captains and senior FO's. The Capt's will finally get off reserve and the FO's might gain an upgrade. Other than that, I can't see any aspect of the cash influx that will make us the "place to fly", especially when you consider that JetBlue and SWA are also hiring.

Don't get me wrong, I'm quite fond of my job at Spirit. I've gotten a little seniority and am looking forward to a little upward movement. Matter fact, we're looking so good that I might even decide to quit pursuing SWA. But that is based upon my personal situation, your milage may vary.

good luck,
enigma

 

[castle bravo]

The influx of cash will not, in general terms, make NK the place to be.

 

[enigma]

There must be an echo in here



enigma