Originally Posted by
ManFlex
I agree with most of what WelcometoBen said above, however, living in base will always be more profitable for the pilot. Being able to go to work overtime on short notice will as well. That is true at Spirit as well as at Delta, United, etc. As a junior captain, I probably get called on 75% of my days off to work extra. I typically don't, but money is there for the taking.
All that being said, yes: pay rates and retirement contribution need to come up. And that is irrespective of work rule changes. Change those at all to our detriment and the price increases dramatically. I have no doubt that 90% of the group will be satisfied with our next agreement.
I understand the fact that it will always be more profitable to live in base. I was merely trying to relay the ability of a commuter to make money at Spirit. It's extremely difficult to credit over 85 hours as a commuter. My point is, you shouldn't have to live in base in order to make what our peers make. Those who choose to live in base are inherently more flexible and will always have more earning power than those who choose to commute. The reality is that commuters at Spirit generally make far less than our peers who commute to jobs at United and Delta while Spirit pilots who live in base may be able to "work the system" and make close to comparable pay.
On another note, what are you guys who count on multiple JRM's and cutting deals with crew scheduling to make ends meet going to do when the company is fully staffed? The company will eventually figure out how to maximize efficiency and the JRM's and sweetheart deals with crew scheduling will inevitably come to an end. They have already figured out how to make every single line 72 hours and 15 days off and they are getting better and better at avoiding conflicts.
My point is that we as a pilot group cannot count on transition conflict and JRM's as part of our compensation. They are great when they work out, but we shouldn't need them in order to make comparable pay and have a sensible amount of days off.