There have been some great responses finally on this thread. As it's been said many times before, go with who hires you first. Don't delay, you never know what can happen.

Spirit is hiring and will continue to hire for a long time. The stated goal is 300 aircraft, we're just over 80. We're not even halfway to our desired airline size. Orders are there to get us well over a hundred, so does that mean a merger? Who knows, air shows happen every year, new orders could always be announced.

The thing I like about the current ULCC situation is the opportunities that come along with growth. I have been on property a little over two years, I'm bidding in the upper 1/4 in base, every other month I'm getting my 3rd or 4th choice of line bidding. Opportunities are there to work in the training department, become a Chief Pilot or other management types. Not sure how much opportunity and advancement is left in the legacies.

Spirit is still small, has its problems, but the feel of this place is the same as I garnered from reading the book "Nuts" about the early days of Southwest. Could it happen? Who knows, it's a gamble and we'll only know it paid off when the morning of our 65th birthdays arrive. Until then, I'm enjoying the ride, enjoying the lifestyle and living it up while I'm still young enough to enjoy it.

Long term disability.

Good grief. Let's not forget STD, (short term disability for you who don't habla) as well.

There is no reason you should have to hold on to 210 hours (5ish years) of sick time just so you dont burn through 3 months of savings waiting for long term.

So many in this group are ignorant to the benefits other airlines have out there.

Read your emails from our reps(not just the ones updating you about their training status) and stay informed or get informed!


(Including scope, retirement or anything else not mentioned.)

Minor correction but I believe we're taking #74 (A321CEO) this week.

Is it only 74? Must've been thinking by the end of the year we'll be at 80.

Thanks for the correction.

The main difference between old Southwest and current Spirit is that Southwest at one time had great employee/management relations. Spirit has never had that.

The relationship between Herb and his employees was probably akin to the relationship Ned has for his employees. Nevertheless, SWA's management/employee relationship seems to have soured and is now pretty much look every other airline.

5 year CA at NK: $136 per hour

5 year FO at AA: $151 per hour

Yes more can be made by flying extra hours/picking up open time . . .

And don't forget a healthy DC too!!!!!!

But the thread ISN'T about Spirit (or Frontier) vs. a legacy......:cool:

80 but still with an infrastructure for 36 planes. "Hi, Captain Jacobsen?" "Who's this?" "Yes, hi, this is First Officer Paisley from scheduling. We're junior manning you for a 'Dingo turn."

Left? It's just starting.