Just my opinion but don't count on any base being there forever in this business. That said I'd say the long term stability for the BWI base at southwest is much better than AcY at spirit. Don't be blinded by the quick upgrade. The upgrade times here are getting longer here and will make a huge jump to who knows how many years for those hired after this year if we don't order any more airplanes. Also upgrade doesn't mean much when a 3yr fo at American is making more money than a 4yr captain at spirit on the same equipment. Not to mention the Scope LTD and retirement contribution. Now that could all change in a new contract so ya never know. But if not moving is your number one priority then I would try to get hired at southwest and with all current known quantities you'll make more as a SW fo than a spirit captain. Qol wise we have some good things and other airlines have some good things so that's a wash but living in base is the number one thing you can do to improve your qol and you live in a junior sw domicile.

 

No doubt there is other stuff that need to be addressed. We need our contract to be as ironclad as possible with the future possible twist and turns of our company in mind.
Pay, of course, but how do we best structure our Scope clause to protect ourselves. Let's look at the possible scenarios for a merger, buy-out, etc. and start from there. Bill Franke is lurking as he transforms Frontier into the same business model, not to mention any other airline with money and bad taste.
Not saying it will happen, but we have to be ready if it does.

 

Anyone have a copy of the southwest scope section? My understanding is it's the best in the business

 

Honest question: what good does merger language do in a merger? Aren't pilots protected by:
1- the RLA
2-Allegheny-Mohawk Labor Protective Provisions, and
3-Public Law 110-161

I agree any protections we can get should be written into the new contract, but how much good is it really going to do? It SHOULDN'T cost the company to agree to it in the new contract, but what if they want something for it?

Should we maybe be more concerned with a codeshare with Frontier as opposed to a merger?

 

Our code share language is wide open to stagnate the whole seniority list forever.

 

Exactly. A code share is basically a merger without merging. Which sounds great until the a/c deliveries go to the pilot group that agrees to the lowest pay rate.

 

Thats a pretty big generalization. There are all sorts of codeshares and not all of them are set up for the same reasons, including ones that permit interlining and joint revenue sharing to places where one airline couldnt fly and vice versa.

 

whats the schedule like at spirit?

 

Pretty good.

 

Lol sounds nice! any elaboration? mind if i pm?