Originally Posted by nichale

- Spirit is losing is some of its highly experienced and quality pilots, which will be almost impossible to replace. They will end up hiring pilots with much lower qualifications, due to current hiring trends and future pilot shortage projections. One major accident or incident, due to pilot error will cost any airline millions of dollars. There is a big difference between highly experienced and qualified pilot and a pilot with minimum experience. Compare Sullenberger (USAirways -Hudson case) with Colgan (Buffalo, NY case). They better offer a contract, before it's too late. Ultimately, the may end up paying more to least qualified pilots.

- New contract will higher the pilot morale, which in turn will improve performance. Pilots will be more motivated to go above and beyond their pilot duties to respond to airline's needs. Pilots are the main players of any airline operations, they better keep them happy. Also, Fortune 500 companies, all have happy employees.

- Current cancellations are hurting airline's reputation even more.

- I believe it will be smart for any major airline to buy Spirit and continue it's low cost operations, but label it differently and differentiate it, so customers will know what they are getting, instead of surprise charges. For example: Delta Save, United Value, Southwest's Spirit... Same as what Uber did, when it came out with Uber Pool. Spirit will have much fewer angry customers, because customers will know what are getting. Meanwhile, they could fill other major airlines empty seats, with shared operations. Most of the customers who flew Spirit, they didn't even realize it was an ULCC. I talked to at least 10-15 customers JetBlue has Mint, is an example of differentiation.

- It's unfair to rank Spirit as a worst airline in customer service, because it does not charge for service, it's a value airline. They should stop comparing it with JetBlue and others, who charge for service.

- finally, Spirit management should understand that low cost operations, should not include employee privileges, if they want to be successful and survive for a long time. To the contrary, they have to have the best employee benefits. Example: Southwest Airline

Do you agree with my facts?