Leave Pinnacle for Spirit?
 

I'm a junior CA at Pinnacle and live 2.5 hours from base. I'd rather work at DL because of domicile choices. Would you leave 9e for NK? With having a guaranteed interview with Delta and everything, is it worth it to leave? Opinions.

According to APC, Pinnacle is the next Comair.

I have several friends at Spirit that love it. Third and Fourth FO year pay at Spirit is close to junior Captain pay at 9E. I left 9E and came to SkyWest, haven't been happier in a long time even though it's a lateral move. I'd go to Spirit.

Glad to hear you're happy about your move. Actually with the contract and DOS, I would be back to where I am right now by 2nd year pay.

Guaranteed INTERVIEW doesn't mean a guaranteed job. DL probably won't hire until 2014/2015 now apparently or however long they say it is now. Seems to change every year. If you want to be DL, by all means wait out for it. Gives people like me who have no desire to work for DL a chance to go to a place like Spirit.

2-3 years ago I would have said no. Now I say get while the gettin's good!

Someone showed me a website Aubry's flight analysis. Had a really nice tool for comparing airline pay on a yearly basis and cumulative over your remaining career.

I would go to Spirit if you have a good amount of PIC time.

That guaranteed interview isn't worth the paper it's printed on. And if you really are a junior CA, your "turn" wouldn't come for a long time anyway. Would you really stick around for a guaranteed interview? Why not get an Airbus type, time on type, and then apply to Delta if that's what you really want? Spirit and Airbus will be better for your resume.


As for pay, there's just no comparison. The only tough pill to swallow is first year pay, and that's where Spirit is really weak. $38.50/hr means even a RJ FO has to take a paycut to fly an Airbus. Second year and beyond makes it much better. At my company, 1st year is now $49/hr and 2nd year is 70/hr and that's the 7th year RJ CA pay at 9E.

I think it should be a no brainer.

I'd do it even if you don't. Not like 9E FOs have opportunities for PIC time at 9E anymore.

While it seems good on paper, it is inaccurate. It assumes proper fleet deliveries, but that could change in a moments notice. More so, for the airlines I looked at, it did not show any impact from Age 65 retirements, which should make your number rise as time goes on.

Spirit, without a doubt. Budget airlines are the future and they are growing, plus that Airbus time will be a huge boost to your resume.

There's nothing stopping you from leaving Spirit for Delta down the road.

Any opportunity to get out of the regionals should be seized in my opinion.

Go. Your hostage money will help with the 1st year pay at Spirit.

Do you have 1000 turbine pic?

Wait till out of bankruptcy. See what happens then.

Thanks for the responses, I have 6000+tt and about 1500 tpic. Even though the "interview" might be on the table, I'm leaning toward taking it.

Why would this change anything? What kind of big plans do you think are going to happen after we get out of bankruptcy?

With that time, you've at least got options. Think of it this way, worst case scenario (being Delta never calls or you don't get the job after interviewing), where would you rather be stuck? Pinnacle or Spirit? Go with the answer to that question. As has been mentioned, your odds of getting a nod from Delta quicker are probably better with Airbus time at Spirit than waiting around for your number to be called at Pinnacle.

They will have to do something to slow attrition and attract, now the Doom and gloom is over. Your going to see major growth and upgrade apportunities by spring and hiring by this fall. Keeping 200's longer bidding on 32 700's which will probably get and new 900's sooner with options of 30 more than the agreement. But if you already have PIC its what you think is best. Flip of the coin and no guarantees.

Step away from the punchbowl.

OP, go to Spirit.

Lifer?


Go to spirit, bro.

Run Forrest, Run! Pack your bags and git!! Spirit, without a doubt!!

Just an opinion. No need for insults. I would rather be optimistic than pesimistic but from where I stand thats what looks like will happen.

Did you get the job offer from Spirit? Best wishes either way.

Yes I did.

Leave, there is no hope of a future for any of us a Pinnacle.

If you shine like a diamond in a goat's a**, don't change anything. Only you know your chances of being hired by Delta. It will be four years before you make what you are making now. A lot can happen in four years - even positive stuff.

Don't worry boyz, I got this one.....Yes.

/thread

LOL.....The Oprah has spoken. :) (SNL skit reference). How's life treatin' you these days since you bailed?

What's that saying, "one in hand is worth two in the bush"?

I ran into an ex Mesaba guy who is there, and he was all smiles. He said he loved it. I will grant you, he is probably still in the honeymoon phase, but yeah....happy dude. And hey, if ya get your Airbus type, plus your other experience, who is to say Delta won't take you in a few years anyway? Shoot, they will be depleting pilots from their competitor.

When I was there I remember at least two RFPs that were "done deals." We didn't get either one of them. In fact, they went to regionals with higher costs than Pinnacle. Believe it when the planes are on the tarmac, with "Operated by Pinnacle Airlines" on the side. Even then, I wouldn't plan any major moves until at least after the bid packs are out with the pairings in them.

With the new -900s, expect for Delta to play the whipsaw game between Pinnacle and Skywest. Maybe even GoJets. No reason for them to change the game plan now.

It's anyone'sguess but times are a bit different then prior to Delta's purchase/ 9E bankruptcy. no coolaid or shiny jet here.

FWIW I was 20 away from CA at XJT and left, and have no regretted one minute of it. I take my type ride next week and will hold a line in ACY by June. It was a no brainer for me. Everyone I have met at Spirit is enthusiastic, loves the job and all make way more money than the pay rates would suggest.

Some food for thought. Spirit is the most PROFITABLE airline period, with over 100 A/C on order, Pinnacle is a regional. You will make more 2nd year at Spirit then you would at Pinnacle. 2nd year pay for you will be $72.05 and with Line bidding and SPAs contract its likely you'll make more than your current PNCL CA pay. Also, you have a hard minimum (Guarantee) of 4 days off between pairings. The more I type the more I can't believe you are Actually asking this question.

Bottom line, leave a Dying shrinking regional, for a growing, profitable major.

I don't know what you make now, but 4th yr F/O pay at Spirit is $84.00/hr and the way things are going you would be able to hold CA by then (I know it could all change). Keep in mind this contract was ratified in 2010 when everyone else was still under 9/11 concessionary contracts and Spirits contract is up in 2015..........

Oh, that's some serious kool-aid. Best of luck to you, but logic and history dictates that you will be sorely disappointed.

I'm assuming you believe the CRJ700s will be ganked from GoJet?

Thanks for all the replies. I'm aware of the pay rates and the days off between pairings, I do like the fact I live in base right now, I don't live in or near a spirit base which equates to commuting. That's the biggest reason I'd want to work at DL. I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna pass it up, it's actually tough leaving 9e but hope its worth it!

In that case welcome aboard :), there seems to be a helluva lot of Pinnacle guys here:).

Not sure if you are MSP based but I am guessing you are so remember DL just shrank MSP. So you would be commuting for awhile if you went to DL. (Most Likely) Congrats of you take it.

80knotsomuch,

Well there is an RFP for 32Crj 700's and our company is bidding on it. How many does go jets have? The things I've said is whats what's being talked about here. Again my opinion no different than your skewed Logic.

Does Spirit give/pay for the type rating? Or do you have to pay for it your self?

Thanks

There's only one carrier that makes you pay for your type...

There's a thread on them if you want to send some hate their way. :D

I don't know how many they have, but I know the history of wishful thinking rumors over there. The amount of 700s allowed in the DL system is maxed out, so they have to come from someone.