Originally Posted by
Gunga Din
I don't know why anyone would choose spirit anymore. For everyone hired before August 2015 it makes sense only because there is an upgrade in sight. Everyone after August will be an FO for a very long time, unless there is another order announced. So you're either betting on another order or a great contract. Both of which are less than 50/50 in my opinion.
If you're currently a captain at a regional it will be almost a decade to get back to your pay rate if everything stays the same.
In my opinion you're better off waiting on United et al to call. The pay at NK is abysmal as an FO (and new captains are just above RJ pay). You're gonna have to be willing to bet on a killer pay raise (unlikely it seems) or a new order (also unlikely).
What happens if that phone never rings? You have to plan worse case scenario beyond 5-10 years. If you're young you could be waiting 10-20 or even 30 years at your regional for a legacy call that may never come. By that time you could be whipsawed and reset back to $25/hr in the regionals.