It’s an investor call, and the last thing they want to say to a bunch of share holders after a rough six months of battered stock price is: “Hey you know those really expensive and whiny plane drivers we negotiate with every few years? Well pretty soon we may have to throw more money at them just to even get them to show up for an interview!” It was a pivot.

Upgrades continue to flow with this recent hiring wave, and growth alone should see anyone on property through 2020 upgrade based on planned deliveries.

As to when they do, the 2 year timeline, (slipping to 3 years now in jumpseat conversations) is a moving target. Two years ago at 1500 pilots is a different experience than someone today at 2500, or someone two years from now at 3500.

We may very well become a 500-700 plane airline, but unless the delivery rate increases, the upgrade time will get longer. This punches holes in the theory that 2-3 year upgrades will attract pilots over the next decade.

Yup. Same reason they say “progress is being made” to investors during contract talks. They can’t say “we are going to drag this out and hopefully sue the pilots as well”

Where do you want to live? That's your answer right there.

Considering a 20-30+ year career in the left seat, living in base is priority numero uno in terms of your health and overall QOL. Where are these short upgrade legacy domiciles that you speak of? Can I do this in a nice place like say, PHX, or do I have to slog it out in NYC?

MCO for instance is a game changer. There are no legacy domiciles there and the other majors (SWA/Jblue) have impressive upgrade times from what I've been told. MCO CA at Spirit is just under 3 years.

Latest CA upgrade vacancy will be just a little over 2 years. About 2 years and 4 months

A little bit higher than that. They are a July 2017 hire. The bid is for Feb class dates.

I feel like it’s going a little more jr right now because no one wants to upgrade and be on reserve (at least the folks I’ve talked to).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Percentage wise, currently it’s approximately 63%. Historically it has hovered around 55-56%. Most likely for the above mentioned reason.

It’s a tough call.. I’m looking at 3 years on rsv. It’s a lot of money to let go.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Or be a senior line holder FO.....and pick and choose trips when or if you want to work. I understand the dilemma! Quality of life is unmatched as a line holder!

I could have held Dec upgrade. Would have been 2 years 7 months. Bypassed till Jan.