What's the company's motivation for this deal? Quell labor unrest, avoid a release by the NMB? Could it be they're offering the absolute minimum amount necessary to pass a CBA that allows for reduced staffing, regaining operational control, and the ability to grow the airline? All of which is impossible for Sprit to do under our current deal.

It's obvious that Bendo et al are capable players in the game. Think of the company's action in every turn down this road. It almost makes it understandable that many on this board (and maybe the NC) are just ready to get something inked. I think we all need to admit, Miramar has played a far more effective game than we've been able to.

I know this is based on bullet points, but this is what I'll be paying close attention to when I review the T/A.

Highlights of what we get:
Pay raise
LTD
Scope improvements
DC contributions

Highlights of what WE PAY for these gains:
Industry trailing pay raises offset by-
PBS (think training drops, vacation drops, xx% less staffing, upgrades, and less furlough buffer, effective loss of 4 days off)
Elimination of transition conflicts
Rescheduling language
Relief to FAR 117 limitations (epic gain for the co. in itself)
Ability to fly 10 hour 3 day trips (concessionary layover language)
Lack of profit sharing
A very low cost signing bonus, compared to retro pay
Trade our leverage away and allow the airline to grow w/out being handcuffed by the high cost of our current work rules
Reserve pilots- drops based on red/green no longer apply (1x month?)

Bob hasn't been dishonest with us or the investment community from day 1. He's stated in one way or another he's confident our pay raises will be largely offset with new work rule efficiencies, that the pilots of Spirit Airlines are somehow on a different tier than the rest of the industry. The airline has even said they are postponing future aircraft orders until it reaches a deal. Growth is the lifeblood of Spirit Airlines. Even in his scant Emails, Bob has flat out told us he's happy to be giving pay raises in exchange for the ability to regain control of the operation.

With this deal, we'd be giving up the most valuable chests of negotiating capital that we won't be getting back. If we sign it away, it's gone. When I hear, "why should I turn down a 70k pay raise," I hear naivete. I won't be selling myself short.

If we vote this deal down, the company loses. Will it be years before we see another T/A? Will Spirit continue to tie itself to 20 pilots per plane (think 4000 pilots for 200 airframes in a market of scarce pilot availability)? Will the airline leave itself vulnerable to future operational disasters of an exponentially larger scale in the future? Will Spirit leave itself vulnerable to a staffing issue of qualified applicants? My guess is NO. The airline needs this deal more than most of us do.

I'm not asking anyone to vote for or against this deal. That being said, we won't see a more perfect storm again in our careers. It's not often you get perfect alignment of: Strong economy, newly minted corporate tax windfalls, an airline that desperately needs work rule concessions, and the nirvana of this current pattern bargaining cycle across the profession. When we vote on this T/A, it's imperative we realize the crown jewels of negotiating capital being offered up for a deal that may literally cement the pilots of all ULCCs to the lowest tier.