In my humble opinion, and it is just that...mine (before everyone starts attacking me). As much as I dislike what NWA did to thier pilot group (as well as mechanics, flight attendants, rampers, gate agents and reservation agents)...I think NWA would be my choice over Spirit for a number of reasons. NWA has emerged as a lean and mean operator, is turning huge profits (albiet at the cost of the employees) and has the ability to weather a domestic meltdown with the real possiblity of a recession by making fist over dollar in the international market, particuallarly ASIA, which is where most all of the explosive growth will take place the next 20 years. NWA pilots have gotten most of thier work rules back taken in bk and although they will have to fight for pay increases and maybe shut the red tail down for 2-3 days to get the $$, ultimately I believe they will get the pay back.
No offense to ANY Spirit pilot out there, but I think for the long haul NWA is in a better position for stability, career earnings and growth. I think that Spirt is being grown and capitalized for one reason and one reason only: To make it a ripe candidate for sale to the highest bidder. Oaktree did not invest in Spirt out of the kindness of their heart, they did it to turn a profit! Best guess is than with 3-5 years Spirit will be absorbed by the Borg....aka United, US Air or NWA. You will not HURT yourself by going to Spirt, eventually you will be merged into someones seniority list....but I think you will be better off if you are on the giving end of a merger rather than the recieving end. Just ask the US East guys.
Ok, I'm all done.....Let the hate mail commence!
