Originally Posted by Squirrel27

There are things in the ULCC contracts, that AA doesn't have, that are very enticing. Spirit has that minimum 4 days off between sequences, or something like that. Frontier pays 125% on any credit over 82 hours. The schedule flexibility is unmatched at F9. Add/Swap/Drop at F9 is extremely powerful. Premium flying at 150%. At AA, what you get is basically what you fly (so I've been told). F9 has 150% deadhead middle seat pay.

Comparing W2s AA vs. F9, you'd be very surprised. It works for some people, it doesn't for others. It's important for each person to analyze their priorities and decide from that.

Doing the math, over the course of my career, I would make more money at F9 vs. waiting for the flow to AA. More money, sooner, and quicker upgrade. And that doesn't take into account any of the premium incentives at F9.

The bean counters at F9 and NK feel extremely confident and are working to prepare every day for the next recession, and whole heartedly believe their system will be profitable. Time will tell.

Originally Posted by Cyio

To add to that, at Spirit you can almost always drop to zero should you need it due to the way their reserve contract is written. Think I read that reserves always have to be green or something like that, allowing line holders to drop virtually anything they want.

Originally Posted by Al Czervik

I think everyone needs to do a little homework on things. Choose what airline is best for you and make the move. I had an envoy guy in the Jumpseat with some REALLY bad info on AA. Lots of rumors circle about how good or bad the jobs are at the next level. I’ve read a lot of BS in this thread. BTW.. you can drop your entire schedule at AA if you know how to work the system.

Originally Posted by Cyio

I did do my homework on things. So any line holder on any given month can drop their schedule to zero at AA? Or, does seniority and base play into it?

Originally Posted by Cyio

To add to that, at Spirit you can almost always drop to zero should you need it due to the way their reserve contract is written. Think I read that reserves always have to be green or something like that, allowing line holders to drop virtually anything they want.

Originally Posted by Silver02ex

The company has to make the reserve grid a minimum 75% green during the first OT. This allows for us to drop just about everything (if we want). We have many junior FO or CA who lives on the west coast who want to hold a line in LAS. They bid to be based in FLL or MCO which allow them to have a line, drop everything and pick up in LAS. I just flew with one recently. He only had to commute to FLL once in 4 months because of this. He would be reserve in LAS but because of the way the system works he’s a line holder in FLL, but only flew 1 FLL trip in 4 months. For example, in LAS the only days that are red is Jan 31st - Feb 2nd. If you didn’t have a carry over you can drop everything. Some pilots will do this and wait for the phone to ring in the summer and pick up at 200%. Obviously this comes with a price. We don’t get legacy money but, how easy would it be to be junior in LGA, drop everything and pick up in LAX or PHX?

Originally Posted by Al Czervik

I think everyone needs to do a little homework on things. Choose what airline is best for you and make the move. I had an envoy guy in the Jumpseat with some REALLY bad info on AA. Lots of rumors circle about how good or bad the jobs are at the next level. I’ve read a lot of BS in this thread. BTW.. you can drop your entire schedule at AA if you know how to work the system.

Originally Posted by Varsity

You can't. AA guys just can't accept that they're on the same level as spirit and frontier now.

Originally Posted by Al Czervik

Other than reserves... yes, they can. Like I said, I’m not an AA fan boy but if 4/5 year guys over there have the option to upgrade or fly Europe/Asia on the 777/787 it’s news to me. Just want guys to get the facts straight. If you’re enamored with spirit and frontier... I’d suggest working there. It really makes no difference to me.