Originally Posted by bfmglobal (Post 2333477)

Hi all,

I'm considering putting in an application with Spirit. I understand there are grumbling about pay and the contract negotiations....but aside from all that, I'm curious about the average month for a line pilot.

I understand bidding is not PBS which I think is great, hopefully you don't lose that in the new contract.

How does a monthly schedule look for a new guy?
I'd want to base out of LAS, would it take long to get there?
How easy is it to drop and move trips around?
How many days off per month?
Min daily guarantee?
What are upgrade times?
Do you expect a significant pay increase with a new contract?
Anything else you can think of that would help?

Any insight that would help me make a decision would be greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by NFjt (Post 2333514)

Absent any new orders there is no upgrade under 8 years probably for a new hire today.

Originally Posted by Alphafloor (Post 2333518)

Really? With pilots bailing out of here like a sinking ship where do you come up with 8 years. If you're trying to help the guy out and dissuade him from coming here I get it. Im just a little curious, how did you come up with 8 years?

Originally Posted by bfmglobal (Post 2333477)

Hi all,

I'm considering putting in an application with Spirit. I understand there are grumbling about pay and the contract negotiations....but aside from all that, I'm curious about the average month for a line pilot.

I understand bidding is not PBS which I think is great, hopefully you don't lose that in the new contract.

How does a monthly schedule look for a new guy?
I'd want to base out of LAS, would it take long to get there?
How easy is it to drop and move trips around?
How many days off per month?
Min daily guarantee?
What are upgrade times?
Do you expect a significant pay increase with a new contract?
Anything else you can think of that would help?

Any insight that would help me make a decision would be greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by bfmglobal (Post 2333477)

Hi all,

I'm considering putting in an application with Spirit. I understand there are grumbling about pay and the contract negotiations....but aside from all that, I'm curious about the average month for a line pilot.

I understand bidding is not PBS which I think is great, hopefully you don't lose that in the new contract.

How does a monthly schedule look for a new guy?
Probably RSV for a while, with 13 days off. Different bases have different Reserve Availability Periods (RAP), each is 14 hours long. Automatically released on your last day of RSV after 8 hours. Next up would be a Relief line with 15 days off and a mix of trips and RSV.

I'd want to base out of LAS, would it take long to get there?
Hard to say, it seems like you can have any base within 6 months. New hires have been going to ACY for a month and then DTW and elsewhere after. System bids are awarded each month, and are effective in 2 months. (The System bid that closes on Apr 3rd is effective June 1st.) This is always evolving, so that's why it is hard to predict with accuracy.

How easy is it to drop and move trips around?
RSV can only drop. Relief and Regular line holders can drop, add, and swap. We have a Red/Green system based on reserve staffing, so a Red day with low reserve coverage would limit your ability to drop/swap. So, ease depends on the staffing levels in your base. You can also add and swap trips with open time in other bases, not just limited to your domicile.

How many days off per month?
13 RSV, 15 Relief, up to 17-18 for Regular lines. It varies per month for lines. It is also possible to gain additional paid days off on RSV and Regular lines by bidding a conflicting schedule.

Min daily guarantee?
4.0 for a turn, 4.5 for multi-day.

What are upgrade times?
Currently just over 3 years for 2014 hires. There aren't THAT many people leaving yet, so without a significant aircraft order the upgrade time is sadly non-existent for someone hired today.

Do you expect a significant pay increase with a new contract?
YES, up to industry average. The proposal is posted in another thread. How long that will actually take has yet to be seen. It could be the end of the year, it could be several years. Our Negotiating Committee is working hard and we are asking for FULL RETRO pay, Profit Sharing, and Retirement to August 1st, 2015. There is now a precedent for FULL RETRO.

Anything else you can think of that would help?
It is a risk, and there are safer bets and the future of widebody international command time at legacy carriers. Southwest will have a shorter upgrade time than Spirit and offers far more pay RIGHT NOW. However, if you are willing to wait it out and want to live in a Spirit domicile, it might pay off.


Any insight that would help me make a decision would be greatly appreciated.
First Officer pay, ESPECIALLY FIRST YEAR, is a very difficult pill to swallow. A lot of our pilots are becoming very angry after the honeymoon phase wears off. If you have a spouse with a career, or you have other income and want to live in domicile, it could be okay. Otherwise, life can be very difficult due to the pay. Good luck with your decision. You are smart to ask for advice on this airline and I hope you make your choice with open eyes after some real soul searching.

Originally Posted by westwind1 (Post 2333563)

Good questions, I am thinking to apply as well.
what are the competitive number to get a call?
Is a job fair recommended to be attended?

Thanks.