My subscriptions to WSJ and The Economist expired years ago, so I haven’t been keeping abreast of airline health. Is it safe to assume that Spirit was on shaky ground for some time, and that increased fuel prices were the straw that broke the camel’s back?
Getting Spirit Pilots Home
- Thread starter ClearedForOption
- Start date
Maurus
The Great Gazoo
Yes, the war on Iran was the equivalent of pulling the plug on a life support machine. It just accelerated the inevitable.
Spirit hasn't been in good shape since Covid. Other airlines are also potentially following in their footsteps but they have at least a year before they get to chapter 11 type stuff.
///AMG
Well-Known Member
Oh good thought. I’ve got lots of bonvoy as well as Hilton points, happy to share if anyone is in need. Maybe not derg level poop-ton, but enough to get someone a room
ClearedForOption
Displaced... again.
I've been at my shop for 15 years (as of next month or so) - this last year I've been displaced out of my home base for the 2nd time. They haven't made a profit since before the plague. My seniority has been going backwards for the past 2-3 years. I have 14 years left till mandatory retirement. (unless the LEPF folks get their way... then who knows what that's going to do all of our careers.)
It literally doesn't make financial sense for me to start over. If I was able to go back in time 10 years... then totally. With perfect 20/20 hindsight I'd have had apps out with everyone.
Using Spirit as my guide (or any of the other airlines that shut down over the last 25ish years...) at my seniority I shouldn't be furloughed until the lights are turned off. I'll be at top of scale till that happens. (Another lesson that we all just learned is that concessions don't save a carrier - the exec's take their millions and bonuses and those of us that drive the bus are left out in the rain.) Right now - starting over anywhere else - I'd have thousands of younger dudes senior to me. I'll literally be dead before many of them retire.
Mathematically, I'll be a CA (@TOS) till we shrink by 35% (or more) - then a FO till we shrink by over 65%. (and we all know that in the airlines - you have to grow) I'd have multiple training events, displacements, etc. while all of that happened. The financial break even point wouldn't be for years - not including all the retirement money lost. Sadly, that's the reality for most of us middle aged dudes that have put more than 10 years into a shop. None of us had this on our bingo cards for after we turned 50. It makes more mathematical sense to sock as much away now vs. having to start at year one.
So, I'm hoping for a transactional event. Any transactional event.
Which is something that I never thought I would be wishing for in my career. But it's the one thing that would give me the career stability for the last 1/3ish of my career. (and no matter who it is - I know I'll be able to get home after the dust settles after 3+ years or so - which is better than my current projection which is 6 years to never.)
My shop would fit like a perfect puzzle piece into just about every network. (And one legacy carrier could use it to "Castle" the others out of the N.E.)
I've already got my acquired, not hired sticker ready to go... just have to paste in the colors into photoshop.
So, yeah... I think that this is just the first of many bumps in the road.
CoffeeIcePapers
Well-Hung Member
You're the First, the Last, My Everything. And the answer to all my dreams.
TUCKnTRUCK
That guy
Long ways out - but, empty leg on a 2000LXS from BTL(DTW) area to SRQ on the 8th. If any still stuck NK guys need a ride home to FL from the detroit area.
Hopefully, all are home at that point.
Hopefully, all are home at that point.
TUCKnTRUCK
That guy
Not withstanding, NA for CC.. because corpie.
If we were hiring atm I’d take resumes, but unfortunately we’re full ATM. Next fall might have a position open.
GypsyPilot
Mohawk Town
So awesome you all doing your best to help out. I just love how JC folks always do this!
Anyway, I don’t have passes as a cargo guy, but I do have a lot of United miles.
Any Spirit folks (pilots, FAs, DXers, mechanics, or whoever else) that are stuck, DM me and I’ll get you a positive space ticket to wherever is home.
Anyway, I don’t have passes as a cargo guy, but I do have a lot of United miles.
Any Spirit folks (pilots, FAs, DXers, mechanics, or whoever else) that are stuck, DM me and I’ll get you a positive space ticket to wherever is home.
skypilot6
Well-Known Member
Attn: All Spirit Pilots and/or any job seekers.
Log into The Pilots Record Database (PRD) especially Spirit Guys. Sign in or create a login, REVIEW EVERY TAB FOR ACCURACY! When PRD was new Spirit was listing a lot of PIC training events as SIC. If there is something that isn't accurate submit for a correction. I don't know how long someone will be in the training office taking care of records, so the sooner the better to review this information before it's too late.
www.faa.gov
Log into The Pilots Record Database (PRD) especially Spirit Guys. Sign in or create a login, REVIEW EVERY TAB FOR ACCURACY! When PRD was new Spirit was listing a lot of PIC training events as SIC. If there is something that isn't accurate submit for a correction. I don't know how long someone will be in the training office taking care of records, so the sooner the better to review this information before it's too late.
Pilot Records Database (PRD) | Federal Aviation Administration
Pilot Records Database (PRD)
www.faa.gov
TUCKnTRUCK
That guy
Cargo was one of the best ways to commute, I FedEx myself all over the country a lot more dependable than the airlines. Also, usually the only option after the last leg of my trip.
ERfly
Well-Known Member
I agree (and not just because I work here). I used to FedEx myself to and from EWR and ORD all the time when I was at the regionals. It's where I fell in love with FedEx.
The problem with using us or UPS for the Spirit guys is that you HAVE to be in CASS to ride on us, as we don't technically have seats in the back.
TUCKnTRUCK
That guy
I believe they are still in during the wind down… so hopefully still valid for a few days.
Bob Ridpath
Pit Bull love
If you can stand dogs, I have a spare bedroom (and you would eat fairly well).