Upgrade times and PBS
 

Obviously PBS, IF contract is ratified will most likely not be implemented until January of 2019. The wording from the MEC statement says no downgrades or furloughs as a result of PBS implementation.

For current Spirit gents/ladies:

1) What is DOH of current most junior Captain in the system? Do you folks expect upgrade time to increase significantly IF CBA passes?

2) Does the company expect that much of significant scheduling efficiencies, read less bodies, that the Union had to insert no downgrade/furlough language?

Thank you kindly for any info provided.

Very good question. Following.

I think question 2 is a safe assumption for a short amount of time. I would expect at least a reduction of required crews by 20%. Currently we sit at 16 crews per aircraft (I think).

I think 20% is high. Even with PBS and our inefficient route structure I can’t believe we would be below 13 pilots an airplane.

You're probably right, I'm just trying to be a little over conservative.

This would be contingent on certain work rules and how it’s implemented. Wasn’t it mentioned on a conference call that they anticipated several months of zero upgrade and new hire and then resuming at a slower rate than now

I believe the number was around 3 months....

To the OP, we’re at 1,838 pilots now. At 160 airframes x 16 crews per plane would equal 2,560 (fewer needed with PBS). The half-way point with that is 1,280. Granted, Captain staffing is slightly beyond the 50%, but you get the idea. If you were 1,839 on the list we’d need approximately 3,700 pilots (assuming no PBS) or roughly 230 planes (an additional 70 not yet ordered). Point is, DO NOT come here presuming a quick upgrade...

The captain upgrades in class right now are April 2015 hires.

regardless of pbs if you are hired today you will never upgrade unless there are more aircraft ordered.

There will be another announcement soon in the range of about 130 airframes.