SUX4U

Sigh.... this is pilot humor at its finest eh?

ShyGuy

I just copy/pasted the webpage. I didn't add anything to it.

ShyGuy

Thankfully, your airline never took concessions prior to VX launching. While VX pay isn't Delta/United/JetBlue, it is within the ballpark of Frontier, Allegiant, and Spirit. I make more and have greater QOL than a same longevity pilot at those latter airlines.



Two different departments. The Virgin brand is big on image, and what Branson wants will happen. I will say though, the pilots are launching their official uniform changeover on Feb 1. New epaulettes (like United/US Air type), new shirt. It's much better than the proposed uniform that initially hit the media.

ShyGuy

At SFO, it's a gate space issue. Most of the aircraft parked on the intl terminal side are RON aircraft scheduled to launch first flight of day morning flights. Aircraft at the gate at nights are usually launching on redeyes, though some stay at the gate overnight. MX taxiies the aircraft to the ramp on the intl terminal side, and they do their overnight/IFE checks. It's all scheduled maintenance. Just because they are parked over there doesn't mean it's a scheduling screwup.


A Spirit pilot putting VX down? My FO friends are beotching about multiple back-to-back redeye flights at NK and apparently it isn't fun. Or the one time I jumpseated on LAX-DTW redeye, and the crew had already done DEN-LAS, LAS-LAX, and now the LAX-DTW redeye. 2 day flights then a redeye? That just isn't safe. I think you have a good pilot group, management that knows how to make money, but you fly the worst trash in the country. That's what the management strategy targets, and it works out, so it's all good for you. VX is trying something different, and has the best product in the sky for domestic first and coach class. Rated a 4-star airline, which I believe is only the second American airline to get that distinction. VX is a good product, and hopefully it becomes profitable and sticks around.

Each airline has its ups and downs. I will say at VX, QOL is immensely great when you get off reserve. First bottom lineholder routinely gets 17-18 days off. In your second year, you get 3 weeks vacation. I don't know any other airline that gives 3 weeks in year two.

MusicPilot

Well said. I think many may have been turned down or never called so they think bashing the airline will make them feel like a winner at the end of the day.

ShyGuy

+1

I've found this to be the case for many too.

johnso29

Because the West and East coast are saturated markets. There is little room for the airlines that have been in business for 50+ years. Also, the general public doesn't care about the product. They care about the fare.

ShyGuy

VX does have a niche, and attracts certain customers who do fly VX over others, so your statement isn't always true.

jc23

He's on point, unfortunately. I worked for an airline (now bankrupt) that was #1 and #2 in all competitive areas, but at the end of the day customers chose the cheaper fares of a less than desirable airline with poor service. The very people the airline thought was it's "niche" opted for the cheaper fares. I'm not sure a "niche" can sustain an airline, but maybe VX will prove otherwise.

80ktsClamp

It does have a swanky product, but their financials prove what you're stating.