Have to get merger approval before that can talk about any plans for the combined airline.

 

I can say, based on how they spoke about LAS in the pocket sessions, LAS will definitely be one of the bases that stick around, so far.

 

LAS will become a JB base even before the merger, at least that's what they are selling in recurrent right now.

 

If I had $10 for everything they and ALPA sold and hasn’t happened for the last 10 yrs I’ve been here I’d be retired already.

 

Let’s say the merger goes through. Do you guys think that MCO and FLL will probably become super senior, and most of the people that are based there with spirit, will eventually get bumped out? I heard for JBU MCO FO is 6+ years .. and captains 13+ years.. I know they might do a seat lock for 2 or more years, but isn’t it concerning for people that live in Florida? Florida is junior for NK pilots, and that’s why a lot of people are still there/going there.. could we consider FL to become very very senior with the merger, or the expectation will be to become a little less senior, since if the merger goes through, they will become bigger bases?

 

MCO has FOs under 6 years but Captains…more like closer to 15-16 years just for price of entry. Any spirit pilot wanting to stay in FL will not get “bumped out”. Regardless of what happens in the merger or SLI, there is not going to be a “flush and rebid” like many at B6 are salivating for. B6 and spirit MCO bases will be merged, and yes, likely B6 pilots will be tending to be at the top of that list but those junior spirit wanting to stay can still do that. Problem will be the very junior FOs I hear that spirit has in MCO. The hopes and dreams of an upgrade MCO will be getting a lot longer for them. There are very senior FOs in MCO and displaced 190 captains now based in FLL will return to MCO filling whatever vacancies.

 

It’ll probably stay senior given the cost of living and tax advantages florida has to offer. That’s how it tends to work at every airline. The most expensive cost of living areas are always the most junior. So, if growth occurred elsewhere, like DFW, LAS, IAH, then maybe MCO would get a reprieve. Tons of MCO area folks (and some FLL) still commute to JFK/BOS. Even if they tripled the base size tomorrow with just jetblue people, it would still be senior. And there will likely be people continuing to relocate from commie states to free states at the rate things are going. But maybe in 10 years there will be bases in places like DCA, TPA, RDU, BNA, DFW, IAH, PHX, SFO (I’ve heard all those thrown around) that would be more palatable for folks, and maybe post merger MCO grows as they say it will, and things won’t be quite so insanely senior. Who knows.

 

I also just finished recurrent. Leadership luncheon also threw our rumor of possibly moving up to 100 crews worth of flying from JFK/BOS to MCO/FLL. I don’t see that happening either.

 

The recent agreement with the state of FL talked about adding jobs, so maybe that’s a part of it. Really I could see a lot of operational staff currently in LSC being moved to FLL/MCO.

 

They had that chance when the building lease for LSC came to be renewed and there was a lot of talk and offers from FL to move operations. As usual, having “New York’s airline” painted on a plane and some jet bridges was much more important than way less taxes, people working in operations actually being able to buy something with their salary and better QOL, and a much happier and efficient work force.