Originally Posted by
dfwflyboy
Spirit really has no stand-alone future. I don't think we can keep up with the growth. I bet we never make it to 155 airplanes by 2020. Around 120 or so we'll lose more pilots than we can hire. OR someone will buy us. Delta or United who wants 1500 pilots and 155 Airbuses. The last ALPA magazine showed 9,500 pilots retiring by 2020 and 23,000 pilots retiring at Legacy by 2025.
Instead of offering us comparable wages, they'll delay aircraft orders..just like Virgin did a few years ago. and stagnation will come. 2nd year at United is $126-160 depending on aircraft (and higher with DAL pay parity). Wide body is obtainable in 2nd year, and movement happens at 500-800/year. The ONLY thing that can keep Spirit on track to hire and grow as planned is a new contract, but they don't see that.
Remember, they are Greedy, not stupid. When it comes down to it, if attracting pilots does become an issue, they will pay. They will absolutely not delay A/C due to lack of pilots.
They just turned down a friend of mine who has been a CA at XJT for over 10 years. Hes in his upper 40s and lives in NJ, you know.........the base they cant staff.
It was him, two other CAs and the rest lower time RJ F/Os...........
Like I said, they wont stunt growth because they are too dumb/stubborn to pay Industry Standard. They would rather wait and have the entire 1400 pilot group resent them and cost them money in the long run than just negotiate an already very outdated CBA