Spirit bidding changes after the merger !
 

Hello again ! What will happen to the Spirit pilots bidding system after the merger with Jetblue or Frontier. One of the main reasons for me wanting to work for Spirit is the QOL and the flexibility the pilot group enjoys.
1) Will the Spirit pilots have separate work rules post merger or is that a whole new contract negotiation
2) Will Spirit pilots be forced to bid under the existing bidding system at JB or Frontier
3) What will happen to the pilot contract if Spirit is totally absorbed into either JB or Frontier
4) Can there be 2 different pilot groups / work rules in one airline ( like people grandfathered into old rules)

Thanks

Things will certainly not stay the same.

There will be a joint CBA negotiated with the combined pilot groups. The eventual rules and pay scales will depend upon how successful that negotiation is for the combined pilots. Then a Seniority List Integration will be done to merge the two groups. Until that is done, they will pretty much operate separately under their respective rules.

This has to be flame. How could anyone half qualified for the job not know how an airline merger works nor how absolutely horrible having two groups would be.

Not everyone is applying from a 121 background?

Not trying to flame , just wanted to understand if there are any language in the existing contract to keep it the same for " x" amount of time in case of a merger , or if the contract has any provisions in case of a merger.
Thanks again -

We have union contracts. We work under our separate contracts until a joint contract is negotiated. You want a joint contract so the company can’t pit the two groups against each other (whipsawing).

Company wants a joint contract (leverage for us) because they need a joint seniority list to realize many of the synergies that come with merging two airlines. Because both JetBlue and Spirit unions are in the same association (ALPA) policy says that a joint contract must be negotiated before a joint seniority list is formed.

Same goes for Frontier

The joint contract will be “different” for both groups in some ways but no reason it cannot be industry leading. None

Considering the current state of the industry, contracts, pilot attrition, pilot supply, and planned B6+NK growth, the JCBA absolutely CAN... SHOULD... MUST... be industry leading.

What I mean is, I agree...

Maybe they worked for ExpressJet/ASA and just assume that this is normal? Hashtagsarcasm

I’m definitely one of those “shaking in the corner of the room while Sarah McLaughlin music plays in the background” pilots, after hearing of a potential merging of 2 seniority lists. The XJT debacle was not a positively memorable experience.