Originally Posted by
FlyingOkra
Those numbers just reflect the difference in airline size. What are their respective Profit Margins for 2015?
Delta - 11%
Spirit - 23.6%
That's a "humongous" difference.
First of all, profit margin in itself when used in your context is entirely meaningless. 10 dudes in an airbus fly by night start up with an 50% margin does not entitle each pilot to 500K/yr.
Second of all, NK 2015 fourth quarter earnings report isn't available yet.
Third, I believe you're comparing DL net margins to NK operating margins.
Fourth, if you're going to use a profit metric to justify compensation. 3rd quarter 2015, DL had an operating income of 2.2B/12,900 pilots. UA 1.9B/12500 SWA 1.2B/7900 NK 157M/1300 Allegiant 77M/657 VA 74M/630.
One can argue for third quarter 2015, DAL generates 171K/pilot, UA 152K, SWA 152K, NK 121K, ALGT 117K, VA 117K.
Food for thought.