Originally Posted by
Asiabound
Hey fellas just looking for some career advice here. Currently at an ACMI, and I'm looking to be better rested and not work as hard for my money. I have a lot of friends and acquaintances at both companies and it's likely that depending upon which path I take I have a decent chance of getting a call at one or both. I don't have 1000 TPIC yet (which UA requires), but I have some jet PIC from my previous corporate life, I meet all the other min req's for both airlines. I'm very close to upgrade at my current employer, but the job is brutal enough as an FO and even more so as a Captain. So I'm trying to make the decision... do I pull every string I have and try to see if I can get an interview with Spirit without the PIC, or should I hold out and get the PIC time and go for a Legacy? Not trying to come off as conceited, neither might call me, just playing the hypotheticals here. Are there any former ACMI guys at NK that can weigh in?
The people I know at Spirit seem really happy, but there's one old acquaintance I heard left for UPS. I've also read on these forums of Spirit pilots leaving for Delta and UA. How does the narrow-body QOL compare between them? I know the pay is less, especially on the high end of the pay scale (comparing the A320 Spirit vs. A320 UA). I know you guys have a lot of good work rules, like min of 4 days between trips etc. Why do pilots leave Spirit for a Legacy? Is it just to eventually fly a widebody and make $300+/hour or is there something else I'm missing? How does the retirement compare?
My personal situation, I'm married with a young family and just turned 40, so the 20 days on the road per month is getting old. I dig flying the widebody, but I've flown all over the planet and would be fine with never flying one again, been there done that. It would really spice up my resume to put widebody PIC on it, but being a junior Captain at my company is probably one of the most brutal jobs in industry right now. I currently live in TX and have lived in FL before. I love both states so basing is mostly irrelevant as I'd be willing to move.
I appreciate your responses. I know there's no "clear" right answer. What are your thoughts?
One last question: What overnights do NK pilots have in South America? Is it only Lima?
Formeer ACMI here. Now at NK. IMO you wont be aboe to time the industry or be certwin who will call you (if they call you). Send app to both. I have loved NK so far, but UA might be great too... and surely more money.
1. You dont care a bout equipment/routes... then UA/NK no difference.
2. Money: UA better than NK, but if 10k per month are not enough 20k wont be either. My point here is you wont need to get a side job in your days offf at NK (probably also not at retirement). But if you definitely want that extra approx 10% then you have to seek a legacy.
3. QOL: NK is great. Dont know about UA. Ask your friends at both. We hve grat rules and can drop down to zero per month so you can work yourself rhisnmotnh and take it off next.... thats huge IMO.
4: domicile: you sre willing to relocate-ok, but whats your number 1 option.
5 uograde at NK sooner than UA that menas more money sooner--- will it outweight UA payscales... maybe/ maybe not...
at the end eveything comes down to QOL.
IMO there is never a definite answer for this question.... if you lived in ATL I wouldnt hesitate to say that the best airline is DL.... IAH/ewr UA..... FLL JBLU/NK....
To each its own
right now everything is different with covid, but we do have LIM as layover