Originally Posted by
SoFloFlyer
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe reserve is much longer at JB on the 320 out of FLL and MCO? I would assume that’s why JB spent time negotiating certain reserve rules?
I think it’s about 2-3 years after upgrade on the NK side (at best) to a line. So something like 5-6 year seniority at the company in total for a junior line? At the moment, our junior CAs get used a ton in the FL bases so they regularly credit 100+ a month. Some super senior guys bud reserve and don’t generally don’t fly at all (RAP dependent).
I think the challenge for both pilot groups is trying to agree on a JCBA when we have no idea what the pairings will be constructed and how reserve pilots would be utilized within their buckets/silos
Everything we thought we knew about JB seniority in MCO/FLL is changing. The company just increased the size of those bases, shifting positions out of the NE. They won't be junior, but they won't be nearly as senior as they were.
In fact not nearly as many from the NE bases chose to go to FL bases, much less than the company wanted. So they will be hiring into the FL bases in my opinion.
And looking backwards at NK's historical reserve times is not very useful. Even as a standalone company, movement at Spirit (especially to and within the left seat) is slowing. This isn't a 50 jet new ULCC anymore. The bigger the pilot group gets, the longer it will take to reach 50% or 40% etc... The size vs growth rate just isn't the same anymore as it was when it was smaller. Your airline, our airlines are maturing, and your airline especially doesn't have the retirements to even partially offset that. All of that means pilots hired today, or upgrading in the next few years, will experience longer reserve times when they transition to the left seat, and even in the right seat in some bases. Reserve should be, and now must be a humane and viable choice for pilots across the entire seniority spectrum. Our union should create as many desirable positions as possible, not allow some to get fat by eating the reserves QOL.