I got an offer from Spirit a few weeks ago to come and work there. I had applied with them a year ago while Mesaba was in bankruptcy. During that time there was still a DTW base and it was atleast commutable from MSP. Now it looks like I can only go to FLL. I just don't see ever moving my family down there. It would be one of my last choices for places to live in the U.S.. I was told in the interview not to plan on ever getting DTW and I understand that he has to take that position when offering a job.
Does it really look like DTW is really really giong away or just a nagotiating tactic? With all the planes coming I know they will need more bases and there is rumors of TX or CA. Is there rumors about specific cities and which ones are being looked at first?
I talked to a few poeple who have left there for jobs that I would say are a move backwards not forward. If I come to NK it would be to stay. Are guys leaving there and if so why and where? I don't want to make a jump over there and need to look to make another jump in the future.
The biggest reason I am looking at NK today is there plans for future growth. I could be looking at a upgrade within a few years. I have heard that there are 30 planes coming and I have heard 50 planes. I can only find orders for 30 at the Airbus site. I was told they were coming in the beginning of 09 in my interview but on the Airbus site it says the first won't be till Oct of 09. That is still 2 years away. I have also heard that the new marketing plan is not going so well and that they are talking about canceling or slowing down the current orders.
Looking at airlinepilotcentral.com the most junior captain is from 2001, is that still accurate?
The only way to make more money then I am at Mesaba at NK is to upgrade. I know that NK is fighting for better FO wages.
What other things does the ALPA really think that they will get on this next contract. From my experience it will be a long time before it is settled. In the interview he said within 8 months it would be. Looking at press releases ALPA is talking to give up work rules for pay. I hope they are fighting to get both.
I also worry about the number of pilots vs aircraft. I see a ratio of 13 to 1 while most are 11 to 1 or less.
Can Spirit be a good final destination?
Shrek, how bad is the commute from DEN it looks about like trying to get out from MSP. How is the commuter policy?
Thanks for any insight anyone has on this.
DTW base status:
VP Flt. Ops. quoted at check airman meeting stating DTW will continue to get smaller with no more reductions until the first of next year. At that time, reductions made 20-30 lines at a time.
Anything more is rumor and speculation. We don't even know if this will indeed happen.
Most junior FO in DTW DOH 02/06/07. There are many FOs hired within the year that would bid back there if able.
It would be doubtful for a newhire to see DTW without a significant change in the current status.
Additional base status:
Rumor and speculation. VP Flt. Ops. again quoted as satellite base negotiations have slowed but are ongoing. No mention of locations or numbers.
SPA ALPA set a poor precedent by allowing a small ACY sat base earlier this year. The door was opened; however, the backlash has caused grumbling among the pilot group. Don't look for satellite bases being approved if put to a vote by the group as a whole.
AS SPECULATION ONLY: Look to the company trying to get small bases with mixed traits of a permanent base and satellite base. What does the pilot group get in return? Quid-pro-quo.
Current attrition:
Some pilots are leaving. Most are/were DTW-based, mostly FOs. Training dept. claims attrition rate has been 2-3 a month for several months.
Some are going to legacies, a few to Virgin America, and a few are going fractional, etc. Each has their own reason for what is best for them and their families.
Aircraft deliveries:
Company remains firm on claim of 2 deliveries for 2008. Probable return of 1 or 2 321s to leasors.
Company says we have 30 on firm order from Airbus. As pure speculation, Airbus website has a total of 44 orders/5 deliveries (319/320 mix) for Spirit straight off of latest updated link:
http://www.airbus.com/en/corporate/orders_and_deliveries/
There has been no mention of any reduction/deferral of orders. Aircraft supposedly coming starting early 2009.
Captain upgrades:
The most junior captain currently in upgrade training DOH 08/27/01. No more upgrades until Feb. 08.
Keep in mind that there was a slim number of hires between 2001 and 2006. The above captain seniority no. is 265. The first FO in the "latest hire boom" (DOH 10/30/06) is seniority no. 344.
Contract concessions:
I have never seen ALPA or anyone else print that Spirit pilots will/should consider consessions to QOL for better pay. Most, if not all, pilots I have had contact with in my time here would not support a TA that did so. How they vote is yet to be seen. I can tell you that I would never support a TA that did not honor both pay and QOL.
Eight months to a TA is highly optimistic, probably impossible. NMB intervention has been requested, and these things take time.
Pilot/Aircraft ratio:
Not sure what you're looking for on this one. We have just shy of 500 pilots on seniority list and are currently operating 35 aircraft. That's a straight ratio of about 14:1.
The hard lines are blocked to about 76 hours during slow season, 82 or so in high season. I can't guess how often reserves are utilized.
There tends to be less open time during slower periods, more during peak periods.
Your career move:
Who knows? Let us know how it comes out when we all hit retirement age (whatever age that may be).
Sorry for the length, but I hope it helps.
gator
