StroopWafel

Long time lurker, new account holder here...

Currently a regional guy looking at making a move to an ULCC within the next couple of months. Went to a job fair and received offers. Currently living near CVG but originally from outside of FLL and am considering making a move back home for either Spirit or Allegiant.

Have been following both threads pretty closely as of late and am trying to weigh pros and cons of going to each. Obviously commuting wouldn't be a factor in deciding. I am also not chasing a quick upgrade, but also would hate to be on endless reserve as an FO.

It seems that the general consensus is that at both places, movement is MAINLY predicated on growth and that the two year upgrades and quick movement have slowed. Obviously right now Allegiant's pay is better, and the people on the Spirit thread seem to not be to optimistic that a contract is in the near future. Seems that Spirit's current work rules provide guys to work some flexibility into their schedules while still retaining good credit which I like.

With both offers in hand, which do you think is the better deal in the long run and why? Will still keep the apps out at the legacies but would like to position myself in a better spot than I'm currently in should the call never come.

Any input is appreciated, let the bashing commence!

BlueSkiesAhead

I'd say that depends more on what your personal situation is. Married? Kids? Do you want to be home more, or do you like spending some time on the road and getting out of the house?

I think both will ultimately offer similar situations in terms of a long term career outlook. You just have to decide if you'd rather sleep in your own bed every night, or fly a more traditional airline type schedule.

Riverside

One that pays more than $39 an hour.

Silver02ex

Put the pay and compensation aside. If you commute I would say Spirit, but if you live in base I would say Allegiant.

StroopWafel

Thanks for the reply. Currently married with no kids. One of the reasons was not wanting to start a family while commuting and being gone constantly. I've never been home every night with this job so its hard to say whether or not I'll miss the overnights.

Thanks for the reply, Silver. Commuting will be a non-issue as both companies offer FLL which I would happily move back to.

Silver02ex

I personally don't like the home every night schedule. I Prefer being gone 4 days at a time and be home 5-6 days, which swapping out stuff out at Spirit allows me to do. Plus with those times off, we do lots of mini vacations.

KC135

I've never heard anyone say that before but if you enjoy being away then I wouldn't go to G4. I did the math once and I would spend about an additional 60,000 hours on the road for the rest of my career if I left for legacy. As far as the blocks of days off, my record is 15 days off in a row on a 20 day off month without vacation and I could space blocks or 5-6 off if I wanted every month. However, you could never do that on the MD80 though in some of our bases like Vegas where almost everybody has Tues, Wed, Sat off. If you're not junior and in an airbus base with high time trips 7 days a week you can make the blocks happen. I wouldn't recommend commuting here because when you're junior you can't setup large blocks of days off and some equipment/bases you can't get blocks even if you're senior.

BoeingBus

Im also interested in both these companies. Can anyone provide insight as to how the contract negotiations are going at Spirit?

dn_wisconsin

Slow. They are going to drag it out.

FreshWater

Spirit will surely get a new contract eventually. And the pay will certainly be better at Spirit. The pay difference now is not consequential for your beginning time frame there. If you enjoy living nearly half of your life in hotels or are indifferent, then go to spirit.