I don't know why anyone would choose spirit anymore. For everyone hired before August 2015 it makes sense only because there is an upgrade in sight. Everyone after August will be an FO for a very long time, unless there is another order announced. So you're either betting on another order or a great contract. Both of which are less than 50/50 in my opinion.
If you're currently a captain at a regional it will be almost a decade to get back to your pay rate if everything stays the same.
In my opinion you're better off waiting on United et al to call. The pay at NK is abysmal as an FO (and new captains are just above RJ pay). You're gonna have to be willing to bet on a killer pay raise (unlikely it seems) or a new order (also unlikely).

Yep, been wondering this too.. "It's better than my regional", seems to be the common response.

No TA in sight and wishing on orders....meanwhile the company no shows planned negotiations and craps on our Quid while we bail them out during IROPs..

I was curious about this to then I ran into a couple of new hires. They are being told 2.5 yr upgrade still. I haven't had the heart to tell them 5-6 years if they are lucky.

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Do they not know how to do math?

It's human nature. As pilots we tend to be optimistic and believe we are in control of the outcome.

Sprinkle in a little dose of optimism by the some recruiters or acquaintances and people still want to apply. It won't be until the roof is on fire that people will think about the reality of a right seat career at RJ wages.

I think every airline you go to says the upgrade is 2 years in newhire class, they are supposed to say that.. lol

What happens if that phone never rings? You have to plan worse case scenario beyond 5-10 years. If you're young you could be waiting 10-20 or even 30 years at your regional for a legacy call that may never come. By that time you could be whipsawed and reset back to $25/hr in the regionals.

Valid point. And honestly that's probably the reason a lot of people go to spirit or jb etc. The math is different if your Jr. at a regional and 25 vs. a senior guy at 45. No way does the math make sense for a 45 year old making $125k at a regional coming to sit right seat in a bus for $75. It would take almost a decade to get even. In my opinion it would be worth the gamble to wait for the call. If your regional flew a bus this is exactly how it would pay.

If you like to be ****ted on during your wait, then have at it.

Definitely won't take a decade. I'm hopeful we'll have a contract by then, lol. First year is horrendous but by 3rd year you can break 100K. Im hopefully you'll be able to break it second year pay come a new contract. Also Spirits business model is a much more viable option long term compared to an RJ job (IMO) anyway. Of course if you genuinely can't swing $40/hr first year it's completely understandable