BoredwLife

Im sure Spainair would get rid of the Bus and not the gas guzzling MD's...

gatorbird

Per PO 2 days ago: company has 7 slots for airplanes in 2011, trying to get 3 moved up to next year. The question of cash for these planes was brought up, and he answered that the money required would be in the bank. PO continues to contend that this place is making money.

I was a little shocked to hear such a low number (both for 2011 and the move-ups); I guess I had it in my little pipe-dream head that we'd stick with the "get 'em quickly when we get 'em" plan. So that means that, if all goes as planned, we'll be up to...the size fleet we were when I was hired 2.5 years ago.

Sorry to pee on everyone's Cheerios, but I'm calling it as I heard it. Now, everyone can can come up with all kinds of conspiracies about how the Airbus website says this, BBB says that...but them's the facts, IMHO. PO has the least to gain from leading us on with shiny-new jets over our heads (he's one of us, remember?).

If you're an FO here, you better take this into account with your vote. Under our current contract, you'll most likely never hit an hourly rate in the right seat here that will eclipse your old RJ captain rate, seniority considered. Like it or not, the 5-7 year FO at Spirit is here to stay. Get what you're worth.

gator

RemoveB4flght

well said gator

gatorbird

To add a little perspective...

Next January I'll enter my 4th year of service rate: $60/hr.

Delta/NWA A319/20 rate (4th year), with 4% raise next January: $96.72/hr.

I don't expect my NC to go ask for nor expect SWA rates, but that's rediculous.

My YES vote went in on the 4th day of voting on the FLL crewroom computer.

gator

shogun

With all those airlines canceling/postponing their orders left and right, I would think that if NK really wants to get those 320s early they could without a problem.Airbus would be really happy to reallocate some delivery slots to them. Me thinks it's just some good company propaganda to try to keep the hopes up for everybody.............

RemoveB4flght

While you are probably right, there are also a lot of vacant houses and undelivered ferraris on the market, but you either have to have the cash or the credit to finance them. Maybe we can find a buy-here-pay-here used plane lot

ALPO Whisperer

The big problem right now is that the financers are looking at the health of the aviation industry as a whole. Analysts are predicting that the industry could suffer world-wide throughout the rest of this year. The financiers may be reluctant to lend money to this particular industry right now.

While it may be true that NK is making money as an individual airline, the players at Indigo and Oaktree will have to go above and beyond to convince financiers that NK deserves money for those jets. I'm not saying its impossible for NK, but they have to make a strong case as to why we deserve money rather than others in a very tight credit market.

I will try to remain optimistic that they can find a way to pony up and snake charm the financiers. It's times like these that I wish NK had a bigger market share than 0.75%. It would give us more leverage to get those dollars. Keep in mind that we're not only competing against airlines, but we're also competing against suppliers, maintenance operators, and others that may want to seek their opportunities to grow their businesses in this brutal industry.

One thing that would help us make our case is a wad of cash sitting in an account somewhere....cash is indeed king!

ALPO Whisperer

"Come on down to Bobby Joe's used plane lot...we're open until midnight all weekend...no credit, no problem! We offer easy financing and layaway."

lionflyer

"We've got Boings, Busses, & Bombardier's! 0% for 60 months for qualified buyers! This weekend only!"

flyingtigermco

Pat, I'd like to buy a vowel. I'll take an E please and put it after the O in Boing.