Originally Posted by
Frisco FO
That website doesn't look very accurate. They estimate staffing based on aircraft instead of block hours. They also don't count our mandatory retirements. The unknown variable is attrition.
I've always found it odd that pilots look at pilots per aircraft when pilot staffing is really driven by block hours. APC says that Allegiant has 76 aircraft and 515 pilots, and Spirit has 65 aircraft and 1086 pilots. The difference is obviously that Spirit keeps the airplanes flying as much as possible because we have higher fixed costs and lower variable costs due to our new airplanes (when compared to Allegiant)
Well I have trouble with this method.
You can get a good idea of staffing by taking planes/pilots. At 1086 pilots and 65 aircraft, Spirit is at 16.7 pilots per plane and probably close to 9 CAs per plane with that (granted this number does have fluff for the new aircraft arriving monthly).
Allegiant is probably the worst example to compare this method to. They are not comparable to other airlines given that their business model is highly seasonal. Anyone who goes to LAS regularly can see this.
Aircraft block hours are a function of the season. Staffing is a function of the contract. Block hours always increase during summer months and then back down afterwards, doesnt mean that Spirit will need to hire more pilots to staff those high block hour months and then furlough them during the low season. It means our lines will be built up, more JRMs, open time etc...
An airline without work rules or a contract will require far less pilots than an airline with work rules and a contract. Best example is this current LOA, it will modify our contract and require less overall pilots without adding a single block hour to the equation.