Originally Posted by TOGALOCK

So what I read in this is that JetBlue should have the advantage since they’re a superior airline? The poster is correct, based on Spirit’s order book relative to its size, a Spirit pilot currently has higher career expectations (ie seniority gain) than a JB pilot with JetBlue’s total orders relative to its size. It is what it is. The fact that regional FOs use NK as a rating factory has absolutely zero bearing on the integration other than the fact it apparently makes you feel good to point it out.

By comparison, in a NK and F9 marriage, the F9 pilots would have have greater career expectations than NK pilots. F9 is smaller, yet has a larger order book resulting in higher seniority gain for a current pilot.

I do agree with you that the purchasing airline’s pilot group should gain a slight edge, but it should be negligible. ALPA has their merger policy and it will be followed if the time comes. I don’t think, however, it considers which airline’s passengers have the nicer carryon luggage.