Jetblue vs Spirit
08-02-2014, 07:28 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2011
Posts: 894
Originally Posted by EMBskillz
I've heard the JB 320 upgrade is 12 yrs if you get on now.
08-02-2014, 07:40 PM
#13
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Joined APC: Oct 2012
Position: 190 captain and “Pro-pilot”
Posts: 2,918
Originally Posted by RyanP
I'd like to hear some opinions on Jetblue vs Spirit for a career destination (if you had the offer from both). For me, both have Domiciles that work. FLL, LAS, or LGB. I have lived in all 3 and could be happy in any of those.. So long as they stay open. Preferably FLL due to the taxes and much lower cost of living than CA. I want nothing to do with the North East anymore, at least not long term.
We all know the pay rates. Those are posted. Jetblue 320 hourly pay is quite a bit higher, especially on the FO side, (for now).. Yet the Spirit Upgrade will probably be quicker with so much growth (currently).
I'd like to see comparisons of QOL/reserve/soft pay/medical/movement/retirements/merger potential/long term stability predictions.. etc
From riding jumpseats it seems you would be treated better at Jetblue.. And I like the product and excellent customer service. Yet the Spirit model makes money.. And will probably continue to make money due to the Walmart mentality and never ending supply of cheapskates. I don't particularly like the way they do things or treat passengers but their model makes money, no argument there.. And in the end I do want stability.
Just wondering what you guys think..
We all know the pay rates. Those are posted. Jetblue 320 hourly pay is quite a bit higher, especially on the FO side, (for now).. Yet the Spirit Upgrade will probably be quicker with so much growth (currently).
I'd like to see comparisons of QOL/reserve/soft pay/medical/movement/retirements/merger potential/long term stability predictions.. etc
From riding jumpseats it seems you would be treated better at Jetblue.. And I like the product and excellent customer service. Yet the Spirit model makes money.. And will probably continue to make money due to the Walmart mentality and never ending supply of cheapskates. I don't particularly like the way they do things or treat passengers but their model makes money, no argument there.. And in the end I do want stability.
Just wondering what you guys think..
I can't speak for Spirit but the upgrade at blue is around 4 years for both planes now but it does change often.
So to be safe let's say 4 years for the 190 and 6 for the bus but that is being very cautious.
We still have a little over 10 planes a year for the next few years coming and jetblue has stated it MUST grow to become a real player.
They have BIG plans for FLL and it will see a lot of growth.
With the right leadership this place could make tons of cash.
We have been paying down debt and investing in infrastructure so I think the future COULD be very bright here.
On the merger side I would think jetBlue would be the target of one.
The only people I ever see merging with Spirit is Frontier.
Jetblue is a target in my opinion, one of the big reasons for the huge yes vote to ALPA.
Good luck.....
Last edited by pilotpayne; 08-02-2014 at 07:56 PM.
08-02-2014, 07:40 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 389
Originally Posted by The Juice
Yup.
Rough math. 143 aircraft planned by year end 2021. 15 pilots per plane is 2145 pilots. Assume 55/45 CA/FO mix so 1180 captains aprox.
Over the next 7 years, few retirements. Guess retirements and early leaves to call for 120. So that's 1300. Last new hire class takes us close to 1100 pilots. Rough math would suggest there is about a year left to get in on an upgrade prior to 2021.
Rough math. 143 aircraft planned by year end 2021. 15 pilots per plane is 2145 pilots. Assume 55/45 CA/FO mix so 1180 captains aprox.
Over the next 7 years, few retirements. Guess retirements and early leaves to call for 120. So that's 1300. Last new hire class takes us close to 1100 pilots. Rough math would suggest there is about a year left to get in on an upgrade prior to 2021.
08-02-2014, 08:11 PM
#15
ULTP-Ultra Low Tier Pilot
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,228
Originally Posted by The Juice
Yup.
Rough math. 143 aircraft planned by year end 2021. 15 pilots per plane is 2145 pilots. Assume 55/45 CA/FO mix so 1180 captains aprox.
Over the next 7 years, few retirements. Guess retirements and early leaves to call for 120. So that's 1300. Last new hire class takes us close to 1100 pilots. Rough math would suggest there is about a year left to get in on an upgrade prior to 2021.
Rough math. 143 aircraft planned by year end 2021. 15 pilots per plane is 2145 pilots. Assume 55/45 CA/FO mix so 1180 captains aprox.
Over the next 7 years, few retirements. Guess retirements and early leaves to call for 120. So that's 1300. Last new hire class takes us close to 1100 pilots. Rough math would suggest there is about a year left to get in on an upgrade prior to 2021.
I pointed out upgrade because upgrades are the main driving force for people coming to Spirit. If the growth stops at 140'ish planes, pilots hired after next year could be looking at a long long time in the right seat. Our Captains these days are more likely to be in their 30s than 50s.
08-02-2014, 09:45 PM
#16
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Joined APC: Jul 2012
Posts: 160
Originally Posted by RyanP
Thanks for the input.
I'm not saying I couldn't deal with it. I think everyone would "prefer" working for a company that treated customers well and got rave reviews for good service all while making huge profits. Obviously that isn't reality though. I work for an airline now that treats people like total crap and has atrocious customer service. It's frustrating and quite embarrassing at times but I still work here.
In the end.. Good Service is a "preference". The only thing that REALLY matters though to most of us is QOL/time off/stability/and a good pay check. This is why I am asking the people that work there..
I'm not saying I couldn't deal with it. I think everyone would "prefer" working for a company that treated customers well and got rave reviews for good service all while making huge profits. Obviously that isn't reality though. I work for an airline now that treats people like total crap and has atrocious customer service. It's frustrating and quite embarrassing at times but I still work here.
In the end.. Good Service is a "preference". The only thing that REALLY matters though to most of us is QOL/time off/stability/and a good pay check. This is why I am asking the people that work there..
08-02-2014, 10:19 PM
#17
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,311
Originally Posted by todhog2
I know what you hear about Spirit but I don't see it. I've only seen a few unhappy people in the year and a half I've been here. Most say nice flight and smile when they are getting off my plane. I like it here for the most part and I don't know any other airlines offering pilots anything to eat.
Southern, Atlas, Kalitta, UPS etc are all catered. Last time I was on a United transcon jumpseat the pilots were fed, same for the American crew. It's common. Hell, PSA was getting crew meals in PHL and CLT last time I checked.
08-02-2014, 10:42 PM
#18
Da Hudge
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Poodle Whisperer
Posts: 17,473
Originally Posted by todhog2
I know what you hear about Spirit but I don't see it. I've only seen a few unhappy people in the year and a half I've been here. Most say nice flight and smile when they are getting off my plane. I like it here for the most part and I don't know any other airlines offering pilots anything to eat.
Oh, and Delta.
Last edited by 80ktsClamp; 08-02-2014 at 11:00 PM.
08-03-2014, 03:11 AM
#19
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Joined APC: Nov 2008
Position: Airbus 320 Right Seat
Posts: 1,440
Jetblue vs Spirit
JetBlue upgrades went about 3 years DOH for the 190 and 4 years for the 320, of course all subject to change for the better or worse ...
I personally see JetBlue being swallowed up by somebody in the future , Alpa pretty much sealed that fate. Jut made the transition easier, was told this by United's MEC.
Been here at Blue for about 1 1/2 years and have no complaints , making good money and decent schedule , Florida commuter . My only and only concern is the young pilot group here. Many guys I fly with are young and have 20 plus years before they retire out . That scares me , I have to rat poison captains on layovers just to move up.....
That being said I think that problem exist at both airlines ... Both very young airlines , sure spirit has been around longer but their growth has been more recent . My buddy just upgraded over there and is 31 ! That's many years left to retire ....
I personally see JetBlue being swallowed up by somebody in the future , Alpa pretty much sealed that fate. Jut made the transition easier, was told this by United's MEC.
Been here at Blue for about 1 1/2 years and have no complaints , making good money and decent schedule , Florida commuter . My only and only concern is the young pilot group here. Many guys I fly with are young and have 20 plus years before they retire out . That scares me , I have to rat poison captains on layovers just to move up.....
That being said I think that problem exist at both airlines ... Both very young airlines , sure spirit has been around longer but their growth has been more recent . My buddy just upgraded over there and is 31 ! That's many years left to retire ....
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