I sat in the jump of a United 737 the other day, great, great guys. The FO had been at Continental pre-9/11, no furlough and was holding a good line with the days off he wanted, no desire to upgrade. He was looking at moving over to the 787, but was afraid his QOL would go down.

9/11 was nearly 14 years ago! 14! I thought the movement was much, much better than the right seat of a 737. Granted he makes a good living, but 14+ years in the right seat? In a 737, it had a glass cockpit, but holy cow that airplane looked like it was over 40 years old! It was so loud! His hands were flying all over the cockpit flipping switches, dialing buttons, looking at charts, and he was the PF!! Paper kept spitting out of the printer, he was constantly pulling the throttles back as they moved around and he was working that yoke on the approach. I turn the wheel of my car a lot less when I'm on the racetrack.

Maybe I've become spoiled, but I prefer a more gentlemanly time in the air, a nice quiet flight deck, pleasant conversation and a cup of tea on my tray table.

 

I'm not an expert on United. At Delta, lots of new hires are going straight into the 757/767. In fact, a mid 2014 hire would be nearly 50% on the 7ER in NYC and able to hold all European layovers this summer. By second year pay, that 7ER FO is making more than our 3rd and 4th year A320 captains. And that 7ER FO is probably getting 15 days off a month as well.

I've enjoyed most things at Spirit. But let's not understate the fact that we certainly have our work cut out for us with this next CBA.

 

At least they feed you on American.....

 

The friends I've had go to Delta recently are on the 75/76. They said they're looking at reserve for quite a while, flying holidays and such. They're used to it as they're all military, but being in the bottom 1/4 of a 12K-13K pilot group doesn't sound like much job security if the economy turns sour just a little. BTW, they are happy as clams!

But, you are right, we do need improvements on our CBA, I'm confident they'll come.

 

Remember Boys,

Spirit is the only airline in the industry with Quality of Life provisions. Also, Spirit pilots are the coolest and most fun to fly with. Everything is awesome, everything is cool when you're part of the team...

Yours,
MGMT

 

Yes. Very nice meal too.

 

You guys think we'll have to give up the Free smiles?


Bwahhaha, I crack myself up

 

Earl Grey, hot of course.

 

Hahahahahahaha!!!!!

Teavana Acai Mate or some Monkey Picked Oolong!

 

People need to listen to exactly what members of our senior management team are saying. We have a certain senior executive stating at job fairs that Spirit will never be like working for a legacy and if you want to work for a legacy, Spirit is not for you. People need to listen to the language: he isn't talking about a lack of widebodies or lie flat seats...