My chances at Spirit?
 

ATP with 4700 TT, 1273 SIC B727, 1816 MEL, 2914 PIC.

Haven't flown in a long time, but getting current and plan on logging some time to get proficient again.

Thanks in advance.

My suggestion (and this applies not just for Spirit) is depending on how many years you have been out, consider taking a regional or FAR 135 gig to get current and EFIS time. It will help your candidacy overall.

Then again those of us who have been to a mtc are current gear crickets. Gotta love aviation hiring

Don’t make assumptions on your chances. Apply and find out. While you’re waiting do what’s necessary to make yourself more marketable but don’t wait to apply until you “think” you are marketable.

Thanks.

Anybody know what the competitive numbers are for Spirit new hires?

I was hired September, 2700 TT, 0 TPIC, 1200 121 SIC.

Damn, I guess I have competitive numbers. Are you former military?

Thanks and congrats.

Not to sound snarky, but the chances of getting hired at Spirit are zero in the event you have not applied yet. Once you get that out of the way, and maybe you already have, I would then ask myself "what are my chances of passing training at Spirit with no recency of experience."

Training here is difficult, even for those who are 121 current right up until their class date. To my knowledge Spirit runs the most condensed and fast paced new hire training program in the 121 industry. There really isn't much time to learn. Automation and glass cockpit interaction needs to be second nature by that point or the odds of passing are slim. IMO this needs to be the single most important consideration for you in applying here.

I agree. I'm not arrogant enough to think that I'd breeze through training because of my past experience. Hell, I don't have any glass cockpit experience. I know it would be extremely challenging.

My plan is to get some glass training whether it be a sim or actual aircraft before I go anywhere for training.

Basically I was asking if my flight hours would make me competitive in the hiring pool regardless of my currency.

Thanks

You’ll get hired at any regional tomorrow and they spoon feed the training for guys with lower time than you. Apply at Spirit now as well as any other career airline you’d like to be at, then get on a regional and leave as soon as you get the offer elsewhere, even if you are still in training at the regional

Not military, no jobs fair visits, no internal recs. Just applied and got called. Let me know if you have any questions, I’d love to help in any way I can!

You could always apply for the ground instructor gig. They might hire you for that. I'm pretty sure its a guaranteed job as a FO after two years. You're not flying but atleast you have a clear path to a job here. Couldn't be any worse than a regional.

I think that job is designed for guys with 1500hrs to skip the regionals. With his time I doubt he would be at the regionals long. Plus, other airlines would be more interested in him at a regional than a non current ground instructor at Spirit

I don’t think you have any chance. You’re not current nor proficient and you have no glass experience. I don’t see how a few laps around the pattern in anything you can rent will change your position. Unless you’re female or a minority I’d recommmedn a regional where they can’t say no, get current and profici, and then apply.

True. But if he (for some reason) has his heart set on Spirit, it's a good option. If you live in FLL area it could be a good option. But if any major is good then a regional is a much better route.

So let me understand your logic. If he wants to go to AA/United/Delta that he has a better chance of getting there if he was to go fly a CRJ/ERJ vs a A320? Or are you basing this on the guaranteed interview he'd get in 5 years by choosing a wholly owned.?

You misunderstood. He has more of a chance at other majors if he’s at a regional over being a noncurrent ground instructor at soirit

I agree.

My plan as of now is to get on as a Near-Direct Captain at one of the 3 regionals I've spoken to about it and "knock the rust off" before upgrading to CA on a regional jet. After that I should be competitive to be hired by a LCC.

I'm 50 years old, so I think that going to an LCC that I can upgrade to CA at after 5 or so years would net me more earnings versus a major as an FO for many years and a few as a CA until I hit 65.

Thanks to all of you for the advice and suggestions. Cheers.

Problem is we now have a new hire pipeline and it's full! Funny how a new contract on DOS +2 has fixed many issues. Anyone tossing in an App today is going to wait sometime before a call. Fast upgrades are GONE! The training issues here are based on the fact we don't train. We have a very high failure rate but most pass on the 2nd try. The failure issues are based on no training and just checking the box system here. 4 sims and a check ride! Hang on!!! We don't have systems class, go read the broken english Airbus manuals!! Go get a direct entry Captain spot, don't come here!!

With who, GoJet? They are one that I'm talking to.That's my plan, then start putting out apps to the LCC's.

Put in an app and will continue to update. Thanks for the replies.

TT 8000+ hrs
SIC 2900 hrs. in Airbus - ICAO licence
SIC 1500 hrs. Boeing 737 400/800 - ATP
TPIC 450+ hrs. Captain in a Regional
6 internal LOR's
English and Spanish language
I live in Fort Lauderdale about 30 minutes away from the airport
Applied 4 times and nothing yet

*Flight Risk*

They think you’ll jump ship at the first better opportunity.

any job fairs or meet-the-chiefs?

We have many who were hired from Avianca with the same type of background. I don’t think that’s the reason.

Spirit has hired many with a four year degree and mil/121 1000+ TPIC. That makes one "qualified" everywhere. Don't think they're too concerned about flight risk. Makes an interesting interview question no doubt. Spirit actually has the term "juniorosity" in an annual report, or something to that effect. Interesting how a couple of anecdotes can take on a life of their own. Doesn't take long for Spirit to get their money back given first year comp. And a reduction of longevity keeps paying and paying.

I saw that “juniorosity” word on their report too. I had to chuckle a little bit when I saw that.

Yes 1 of m-t-c and 2 jf

I am totally agree with you