ALPA Vs. Spirit
12-06-2008, 10:38 AM
#231
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: F-4 Wild Weasel
Posts: 361
In recurrent today we were paid a visit from the VP of Flight Ops. Nothing has really changed from previous posts, but here is what we were told...
- The search for aircraft and financing continues, nothing to report as of today. Still interested in aquiring used A320's for expansion in 2009.
- The process of analyzing our base structure is almost complete. Expect some news soon on closure of SJU and LGA, to be effective in Feb. DTW, FLL, and ACY will all increase by a few crews each. He is not exactly sure how it will be divided up, but said that about 5 crews to DTW, a couple to ACY, and the rest to FLL.
- Planning about 5% growth next year without any new aircraft, which will result in 20 more recalls plus any attrition. The earliest date for those recalls is March 1st. Obviously any new planes would significantly add to this number.
Also on a seperate note, it is my understanding that things are looking good with respect to the 4 day off arbitration. It still will be a few weeks before we see an official ruling, so I guess we are still stuck with cr@p schedules in Jan.
- The search for aircraft and financing continues, nothing to report as of today. Still interested in aquiring used A320's for expansion in 2009.
- The process of analyzing our base structure is almost complete. Expect some news soon on closure of SJU and LGA, to be effective in Feb. DTW, FLL, and ACY will all increase by a few crews each. He is not exactly sure how it will be divided up, but said that about 5 crews to DTW, a couple to ACY, and the rest to FLL.
- Planning about 5% growth next year without any new aircraft, which will result in 20 more recalls plus any attrition. The earliest date for those recalls is March 1st. Obviously any new planes would significantly add to this number.
Also on a seperate note, it is my understanding that things are looking good with respect to the 4 day off arbitration. It still will be a few weeks before we see an official ruling, so I guess we are still stuck with cr@p schedules in Jan.
Thanks for the info, but what I dont get is the ruling date is the ruling date. Why would it take weeks to see an official ruling.... what a bunch of crap!! ( i know this info is being passed on, im not killing the messenger)
12-06-2008, 12:47 PM
#233
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: F-4 Wild Weasel
Posts: 361
I also hope if the ruling is in our favor, which I wouldnt see why not. That retro-pay will be at the top of the MEC's list. This would be due to the company not abiding by our contract and that it was clearly their intension to help in reducing force. my .02333 cents
12-06-2008, 02:11 PM
#234
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Position: A320 Captain
Posts: 1,114
Yes but who knows what lawyers will be able to do with the wording. "To the most extent possible" isn't clad in stone. I wish it was.
12-07-2008, 11:29 AM
#235
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Posts: 314
Does anyone realize the company has been trying to get relief from this EVERY time bargaining comes around? The language was poorly written, its not going to get better. We will make no progress on a contract if we don't address this obvious sticking point with mgnt. Give em the pref in exchange for more $$$. They apparently do whatever they want anyhow, so we might as well make more money
12-07-2008, 12:44 PM
#236
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: in front of a computer screen
Posts: 712
Does anyone realize the company has been trying to get relief from this EVERY time bargaining comes around? The language was poorly written, its not going to get better. We will make no progress on a contract if we don't address this obvious sticking point with mgnt. Give em the pref in exchange for more $$$. They apparently do whatever they want anyhow, so we might as well make more money
The extra money they will propose will amount to peanuts....... $250/hr.... now I hear you
Last edited by shiftwork; 12-07-2008 at 12:50 PM.
12-09-2008, 06:08 AM
#237
Banned
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: A320 CA
Posts: 501
Ok folks. Official word is SJU and LGA pilot bases are closing January 30th. Pilots will be displaced to either FLL, DTW or ACY:
"In JAN 2008, Spirit Airlines made the decision to open pilot bases in ACY, LGA, and SJU as these locations made both strategic and economic sense. Flying from these bases could be built efficiently and these were cities with our highest hotel costs. The plan also included staffing the bases with minimum reserve coverage .
This reduced reserve coverage simply did not work out. A study completed on a sample JUL’09 Marketing schedule showed both LGA and SJU each supporting only 5-6 lines of flying, while at the same time, requiring a minimum of four (4) reserve crews to protect the AM and PM flying. The economics of this proposition with a 67%-80% reserve requirement, are not sound.
For these reasons, the pilot bases in LGA and SJU will be closing effective 30JAN’09, the end of the JAN Bid Month. Effective 31JAN 2009, the FEB Bid Month, all pilots will be domiciled in either ACY, DTW or FLL. To give you and idea of the domicile breakdown, FLL will have slightly less than 70% of all flying with ACY and DTW each at slightly more than 15%. Vacancy and Reduction Bulletins will be issued in the very near future and all pilots will be able to update their position preferences in the FLiCA system.
Thank you for your continued support as we turn the corner into 2009 and lay the foundation for future growth."
"In JAN 2008, Spirit Airlines made the decision to open pilot bases in ACY, LGA, and SJU as these locations made both strategic and economic sense. Flying from these bases could be built efficiently and these were cities with our highest hotel costs. The plan also included staffing the bases with minimum reserve coverage .
This reduced reserve coverage simply did not work out. A study completed on a sample JUL’09 Marketing schedule showed both LGA and SJU each supporting only 5-6 lines of flying, while at the same time, requiring a minimum of four (4) reserve crews to protect the AM and PM flying. The economics of this proposition with a 67%-80% reserve requirement, are not sound.
For these reasons, the pilot bases in LGA and SJU will be closing effective 30JAN’09, the end of the JAN Bid Month. Effective 31JAN 2009, the FEB Bid Month, all pilots will be domiciled in either ACY, DTW or FLL. To give you and idea of the domicile breakdown, FLL will have slightly less than 70% of all flying with ACY and DTW each at slightly more than 15%. Vacancy and Reduction Bulletins will be issued in the very near future and all pilots will be able to update their position preferences in the FLiCA system.
Thank you for your continued support as we turn the corner into 2009 and lay the foundation for future growth."
12-09-2008, 07:49 AM
#238
First Rule of Fight Club
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: My seat smells like cat pee
Posts: 1,536
I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. Im trying to figure it out. I wouldn't have minded SJU but LGA would be a bad commute. ACY is pretty bad also. I really have nothing important to add here so Im going to shut my mouth now.
12-09-2008, 03:08 PM
#240
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2008
Position: A320 CA
Posts: 549
Judging from your posts, you're currently furloughed. Unfortunately, from a furlough's standpoint, this is a bad thing-- in that this will eliminate a redundant need for reserve staffing. With these small bases everywhere, the company has to place minimum reserves in each base, which is inefficient. Hence why they are being disassembled (did they really not see this coming?).
Here's the "good thing" part, and maybe some good news for you when you're recalled: The company will no longer be passing the housing cost over to it's pilots. These two cities will go back into trip pairings as normal overnights. And in the case of SJU, it will get the pilots out of a faraway base no one wanted to be in (save one). It increases the size of DTW by a few positions, which will be welcomed by those that want to go home. In the case of FLL, this will add some flying back into the base, which could (we hope) have a positive effect on block efficiency.
Looking at it from a optimistic perspective, maybe this will help you get your job back faster. After all, if it increases the company's profitability, then the company can grow (heard the ever-present rumor of 320s coming?) and they will need you back sooner.
Overall and in the long-term, this is a winner for the pilot group.
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