Originally Posted by
HotSnakes
Here's my scenerio and how I justified staying in my head. January I will complete my 5th year. Upgrading in March to the 220 based in JFK and pay will be $300.44 hr jumping to $309.55hr in August of 2024. I know they pushed some of the junior guys training schedule below me back, but on paper by the end of 2024 I would be 97 out of 128 guys. Depending on how guys bid maybe I could hold a line or Long Call Reserve. At 37 years old come july of 2024 I don't want to be 18,000 on the seniortiy list of a legacy. Strictly age 65 retirements from 2024-2035 you would only move up 6,000 pilots (and that's rounding up) on Deltas list. Now depending how old you are these legacy carriers have been hiring lots of pilots in their 20's. Some as young as 23. There will come a point where if you're 10,15,20 years older than these pilots youu will hit a brick wall when it comes to retirements. In my opinion the Wave has crested. I'm also a commuter (it's a easy one leg one hour commute by plane) with lots of frequency flights so if I did leave to a legacy I would still be commuting to the North East anyways. Our flying here is fun, the product is great(when it's on time) and the airbus is a pilot friendly plane. I am also of the opinion that Heavy planes will be coming to JB at some point in my career. I'd like to think it will be sooner than later, but it mostly likely will happen. As an FO I spend my layover soaking up the sun on nice beaches during the winter and traveling to the West coast during the summers at JB. It's aviation and I know tomorrow will be different from today, but you got to do whats best for you. The grass isn't always blue-er on the other side so just enjoy the ride.
Good post. I'm in a somewhat similar position. I'm 2 years older than you and a junior captain at Spirit, in my 5th year. I live withing driving distance of NYC but am commuting to reserve in Florida (it sucks, thanks for asking). My goal in the merger is just to hold JFK captain, don't care which plane. I also agree JetBlue's product is awesome and I like that they don't oversell. They're my next choice for commuting after my own metal.