Originally Posted by
Southernpilot
Thanks for your input. Every bit of constructive input helps with my decision. I've struggled with the thought of going to work for a regional for a while now. I currently feel that I could be happy at Spirit for the indefinite future, if the dream job never called. However, I don't think I could say the same for a local regional. Unless the upgrade times drop down. Which I'm watching.
With that said, I'm only thinking Spirit because I feel that is as high up the "ladder" as I can realistically reach. I understand they hire competent 135 pilots regularly. Some years ago they hired someone from my department (no 121). Also, by the third year I'd be making what I make now.
I didn't think of Spirit as being in the same league as South West and Jet Blue. I know they are all low cost carriers but I thought SW and JB where harder to get on with.
I'm probably clogging up the thread and getting in the way of all the real airline pilots celebrating their victory. Thanks for all the info. If anyone else has some more feel free to PM me.
Sincerely, Southernpilot
Southwest is harder to get hired at as I'm sure their volume of applicants is higher than both Spirit or JetBlue. I would say Spirit and JetBlue are probably equally difficult to get hired at right now.
I get where you're coming from and I think you could find Spirit a good place to stay for a career or at a minimum a good place to wait until one of the Big Three (DL, UA or AA) calls. My main point was that IF 121 SIC time was what you were after to be competitive for the legacies, there are easier and quicker ways to get it than to get hired at a LCC. Especially for someone like yourself who already has lots of TPIC time.