Originally Posted by RemoveB4flght

Profitability doesn't determine pilot compensation. We aren't asking for a bonus. It's a cost of doing business, not a favor or reward. In any business payroll is (sometimes the only) expense that management has the most direct control over, which is why they push back so hard in negotiations.

We don't get merit based raises in this industry, but we have the same expectations to operate an aircraft in a safe, legal, and efficient manner as any other airline. We are expected to maintain our pilot license through training and checking, and our medical license. There is also not an oversupply of experienced and qualified pilots on the market.

It's funny to me that the same guys who will say we cannot expect much more from Spirit because we "aren't profitable" will in the same breath say the JCBA will be different after B6 takes on billions of dollars in debt to buy us, plus the costs of converting the fleets and training the employees, reworking the network, billions more in order book, widebodies, etc. Management gets paid seven figure salaries to strategize how to do all that, pay the bills/loans, grow the company and make profits all while the costs of business change constantly in an ever evolving market/economy.

While the "burn it down" and "grow some balls" tropes seem polarizing and acting against our own self interests, management will happily utilize the reduced costs of sub-industry pay to even out their balance sheets and quickly forget about returning the favor once back in the black.