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Old 10-25-2017, 05:34 AM
  #851  
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Any Rumors amoungst the pilot group at Sun Country that Allegiant is going to be buying you? You already have a foriegn currency system set up for international. Which we are in need of to expand our operation, Same reason SWA bought Airtran. Just curious if this is going around on your side of the house?
On another note with 300 pilots what is the breakdown on hire dates for the pilots at Sun Country?
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Old 10-25-2017, 05:58 AM
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Sunny is a great place with great people. It just doesn’t have the financial strength and mindful management (maybe now though!). The thought of a purchase seems bleak, because they really don’t own anything. Planes, buildings, gates, hangars...mostly all leased. What’s the value of purchase? High rated leases?

Alaska is financially tied to recovering from VA to Wall Street, so they don’t have the power to buy. The Allegiant tie is a decent thought, and certainly possible since it fills a need.
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Old 10-25-2017, 06:41 AM
  #853  
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Originally Posted by Eddiet View Post
Any Rumors amoungst the pilot group at Sun Country that Allegiant is going to be buying you? You already have a foriegn currency system set up for international. Which we are in need of to expand our operation, Same reason SWA bought Airtran. Just curious if this is going around on your side of the house?
On another note with 300 pilots what is the breakdown on hire dates for the pilots at Sun Country?
The majority of the left seat is very senior. This airline has been around for quite a while.
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Old 10-25-2017, 06:45 AM
  #854  
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Originally Posted by TheRealQuixote View Post
The thought of a purchase seems bleak, because they really don’t own anything. Planes, buildings, gates, hangars...mostly all leased. What’s the value of purchase? High rated leases?
Bear with me here; just my opinions...

I really don't think that 'leased' versus 'owns' matters as much as it's perceived. Alaska paid an arm and a leg, in the billions, for an airline that also leased a TON of airbuses.
SY has set out on a pretty aggressive course to expand rapidly, which is great, and I don't think this aggressive timeline is just a coincidence.
In my opinion, things are coming together for a merger or buyout of some sort, somewhere in the relatively near future; 3-5 years. Somebody out there told SY; "50 airplanes/500 pilots and we'll talk." I mean, growth to those numbers was being thrown around last year, even before the new CEO came on board; and now it's being implemented. Hell, there's pilots at Virgin and Alaska that claim the deal is already done 'in principle.' A deal that is contingent on a few factors; like lowering cost, growing to a specific size, re-negotiate lease deals, etc.

Lots of people think that the merger possibility is dead, but I'm starting to think it's MORE probable now (and by 'now' I mean after healthy growth in the next couple years) than it was before the new CEO arrived.

This is purely my own conjecture. I think there is more of a motive than growing simply for growing's sake. I'm by no means trained in airline business, but common sense tells me there's more to the story.

Either way, the airline is moving in a new direction, koolaid or not, that's good news. It's a big ship to turn, it'll take a little time, but I second the guy that commented on the exciting times... how can you not at least be positive about an attempt to make money and be a successful player in the industry?
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Old 10-25-2017, 08:01 AM
  #855  
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Originally Posted by PiperPower View Post
Bear with me here; just my opinions...

SY has set out on a pretty aggressive course to expand rapidly, which is great, and I don't think this aggressive timeline is just a coincidence.
In my opinion, things are coming together for a merger or buyout of some sort, somewhere in the relatively near future; 3-5 years. Somebody out there told SY; "50 airplanes/500 pilots and we'll talk." I mean, growth to those numbers was being thrown around last year, even before the new CEO came on board; and now it's being implemented. Hell, there's pilots at Virgin and Alaska that claim the deal is already done 'in principle.'...
I like your optimism. I definitely would like to see the best for the pilots at Sunny. Devils advocate... They have been saying that 50 airplane thing for years. On top of that, do you think that the current carriers are going to let them expand like that? Sunny hasnt penetrated anyone's market by staying around sub 25 airplanes and doing primarily southern flying. My concern is that if they try to grow, they will get pushed out by market saturation by other carriers. The big 3 and SWA slept on Allegiant and Spirit and look at the market share those two have gained. I dont see the airlines letting that happen again. Also...where is Sunny going to get pilots to fly those planes? I hope Jude and company boost the contract, or at least take it immediately to full maturity, and make it worthwhile for people to come/stay.

As far as the Alaska thing...thats purely Pilot talk rumor. I cant say for certain that it isnt happening any more than you can say it is...but I would be astonished if its true.

All that being said, its a fantastic place filled with some amazing people. Its just years behind on the details. But that can all change in one fell swoop!
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Old 10-28-2017, 05:27 AM
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Anyone care to share what they made their first year (recent)?
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Old 10-28-2017, 07:30 AM
  #857  
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Originally Posted by ericcbohn View Post
Anyone care to share what they made their first year (recent)?
First year pay is $48hr x 75hrs month. 3600 a month or 43,200 for the year. Plan on being on reserve for the first 9-12 months depending on how much hiring happens. The training takes roughly 3 months from day 1 until signed off from IOE. The junior lines you would be able to hold after reserve are around 70 hours. You might get an extra few hundred in per diem on reserve per month. Hope that helps.
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Old 10-28-2017, 04:10 PM
  #858  
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Thanks beech1980. Was hoping for some actual numbers from people after that first year, but that gives me a good rough idea.
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Old 10-29-2017, 05:06 AM
  #859  
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Originally Posted by ericcbohn View Post
Thanks beech1980. Was hoping for some actual numbers from people after that first year, but that gives me a good rough idea.
Looking back over my pay statements, in my first year, I earned $53,675 in wages plus $6,340 in perdiem for a total of $60,015. I was in training for two months, a month of OE, and on reserve for four months. In year two, I earned $65,792 in wages plus $7892 in perdiem for a total of $73,689, all as a line holder. It’s not Southwest money, but it isn’t quite as bad as some say. Your experience may vary, but I hope this helps.
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Old 10-29-2017, 08:29 AM
  #860  
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Originally Posted by ericcbohn View Post
Thanks beech1980. Was hoping for some actual numbers from people after that first year, but that gives me a good rough idea.
Honestly, the amount of days off per month I think matters nearly as much. Training, for instance, is often placed on your days off too. Would be good to know how much open time Dash picks up and how many days off that amounts to. Factor in taxes, health insurance, retirement, etc. Dash must be flying a lot to earn those values, unless that's before deductions.
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