Originally Posted by
Boomer
In other words, Spirit (and JetBlue) need better optimization to make a profit. Optimization that comes from harder working crews. Starting earlier in the day, faster turns, working with more MELs, and flying into the wee hours of the night when most Legacy pilots are sound asleep.
That business plan isn’t great for pilot retention. So you better show me the money!
Optimization of AIRCRAFT RESOURCES comes from MORE crews able to operate the high value equipment at a higher level.list price of an A320 NEO is $110 million. Interest on the bonds sold to buy them is currently near 10%. That’s $30,000 a day just to own them, and that’s before insurance, parking fees, etc. . If they don’t have the pilots to fly them, of course they will lose money.
That’s where the real leverage of the pilots group is. Without ENOUGH pilots aircraft are simply black holes into which you throw money.