Spirit

[planejockey]

Anything going on at Spirit? More guys hitting the streets? future hiring/expansion?

 

[huncowboy]

Anything going on at Spirit? More guys hitting the streets? future hiring/expansion?

Last info seems they are calling back some 20-30ish between Winter and Summer. That will come close to, but probably not result in mandatory recalls thus no hiring in 2010.

 

[Mike man]

What I heard a few weeks ago in recurrent is that...

4 airplanes are confirmed for delivery, 320's
1 in March
1 in April
1 in May
1 in the Fall (August or September)

By April, everyone who wants to be back will be back. New hires for May and the fall...this from P.O.

If they keep the 321's around this seem like it will be true, if the 321's leave the story changes.

FWIW

 

[boomlrd]

Email just went out today for 6 vacancies, 2 DTW, 4 FLL, effective Nov.1

 

[Mike man]

Email just went out today for 6 vacancies, 2 DTW, 4 FLL, effective Nov.1

Of course with people on voluntary leave for October, November and December...I'm a little confused by that.

 

[600rvr]

Thought it was more like 4 DTW, 2 ACY... welcome back to ACY to the bottom two FLL guys.

 

[Anonymous2]

What are spirits plans for the Air Jamaica crews?

 

[boomlrd]

Thought it was more like 4 DTW, 2 ACY... welcome back to ACY to the bottom two FLL guys.

You are right, sorry about that, she rescinded the first email and sent out another with that info. 4 FLL, 2 ACY, effective Nov. 1.

 

[huncowboy]

Bulletin revision 1.

Anytime I see this lady posting something on the remote site, I can't help but think that emancipation is a wonderful thing. Just a century ago she would have been subject to daily spankings by her man just because she would have never been able to produce a proper breakfast, on first try.
Poor thing.

 

[RemoveB4Flght]

You crack me up bro... at least her sense of humor is genuine, even if no one else gets it.... unlike others at miramar who's sense of humor consists of opening and closing bases and paying money to pilots, then wanting it back.

Speaking of which, any more info on the rumor that returning pilots will be paid full longevity?

 

[RemoveB4Flght]

What I heard a few weeks ago in recurrent is that...

4 airplanes are confirmed for delivery, 320's
1 in March
1 in April
1 in May
1 in the Fall (August or September)

By April, everyone who wants to be back will be back. New hires for May and the fall...this from P.O.

If they keep the 321's around this seem like it will be true, if the 321's leave the story changes.

FWIW

everyone back and hiring by May is a little optimistic (and i have no truck with being optimistic) I realize that some may not be coming back, but I think it will take all 4 aircraft to bring back the bulk of furloughees. 2011 may bring a new hire class.

 

[boomlrd]

Ran into the chief pilot a couple days ago, he did confirm that the company has plans to have everyone who wants to be back will be back this next year due to the new FAA rest requirements and also the 4 aircraft deliveries. This stuff at Spirit changes continuously, but he stated that was a fact as of now. I later had the opportunity to have an FAA inspector on my flight who confirmed that as well.
Rumor: 26 recalls in January, this came through a source from Miramar, however this is purely a rumor. Take it with a big grain of salt.

 

[Mike man]

...I think it will take all 4 aircraft to bring back the bulk of furloughees...

I just telling you (all) what I heard from the DO's mouth, in person...and please believe me-->I am the last person to drink the poop flavored kool-aid that Spirit [mis]management craps out.

To summarize...as of July 2009, 4 new airplanes on property 2010. March, April, May and September, all who want to be back will be back by April...planning on hiring for the last two airplanes. He also said that "upstairs" wanted to furlough again this fall, but DO and CP refused since morale couldn't be much worse so they offered voluntary leaves to reduce a few people. But since we are at minimum reserve coverage, this makes people just as angry since they can't drop or float vacation most days this fall.

 

[huncowboy]

Rumor: 26 recalls in January, this came through a source from Miramar, however this is purely a rumor. Take it with a big grain of salt.

Any info is always appreciated. So I am not trying to put down anyone here just trying to decipher one rumor after the other.

I too have heard the 26, which was later changed to 32. The way I have heard it , these numbers were mentioned as the total number of recalls to fly the 4 new a/c. Recalls were going to be spread out over several months, starting effective March. That made sense to me. They would normally need 40-45 pilots to fly those 4 planes (since 1 will be a spare), but I am sure they will try to squeeze it with 32 just like they did this summer. Although the next recall will need longer training (4+ weeks incl OE), it makes little sense to recall 26 in January when the first plane will hit the line in March. Perhaps they will recall a few toward the end of January, I would guess between 8-14. Then another class the following month, etc.

The new FAA rules should result in more recalls. If say the new rules would decrease scheduling efficiency by 5% across the board (complete assumption here), most airlines would have everyone back on the property for summer. Some would be hiring. That would be a nice break for the industry. However it seems regional carriers will see drastic changes, while my feeling is that other carriers will be effected to a lesser degree. Spirit has a lot of night flying. But other than that, the rest of the schedule is very laid back. 1-3 legs are typical and I can't even recall a single layover where I was not legal for a few beer. So it is hard to say what will the new needs be after the new rules.

Well... at least as long the regionals get their people back, heck I might even have a chance to fly a Navaho to the Bahamas in case I don't get recalled...

 

[Mike man]

I agree with that huncowboy...I think Spirit will actually gain efficiency with the new rule changes (if the rumors of 12 hour max day are true), which might be a bad thing. They will LAX turns, maybe even squeeze in LIM for a turn.