NevadaJack

DTW or ORD we have a good amount of flights, if I had to I COULD drive it, though I’d probably need a uparmored vehicle lol

I do like the work to home life people mention with spirit, but obviously more money is more better, so it’s a toss.

Personally I don’t factor the prestige aspect of any of the airlines, long past are the days of Pan Am clippers and the like, so it’s really just a QOL thing and there’s more to that than just $$

Just curious yall think there are more pilots in spirit or delta who also GA in their free time?

How many days home does the average spirit guy have and what’s the take home $$ Vs DAL or UAL??

JulesWinfield

Keep in mind that Spirt and JetBlue are merging, and there will be a JCBA, so things will be completely different in just a couple of years.

CRJCapitan

I think the money is good everywhere so, as mentioned by others as well, it's more about stability and variety of flying.

Two other things to keep in mind:

1) Spirit/jetBlue merger: Would you also be okay working at jetBlue down the line? There's a chance the DTW base goes away after the merger. Would you have a reliable base as a feasible backup?

2) Seniority: I don't think Spirit will have too much movement unless captains leave for legacies. At Delta, you will almost certainly be bottom 50% for a good 20 years as things stand now. AA and UA have better outlooks in that regard.

NevadaJack

Thanks

If Detroit or ORD are out, that would be a issue

So how long at spirit to crack 250k per year while having a good QOL do you figure, ball park?

NevadaJack

So who’s the big spoon in this relationship? Or is it a straight 50/50 merge type deal

AXNKAA

Well they are currently becoming Virgin because they are being absorbed into JetBlue.

Back in 2020 yes the idea of NK going 100% away was a real concern in my mind. I knew the government wouldn’t let the Big 3 go totally belly up and dissolved due to national commerce reasons. An airline flying people to Vegas to party and Orlando to see a mouse? Wasn’t sure they would care if that went away. Was I too pessimistic and worried? Hindsight says yes, but that really made me value long term career stability.

CRJCapitan

I'm not sure. I'm not, and have never been, at either company so I've just been trying to answer the general stuff with as unbiased an opinion as possible. At most places, I'd say you'd hit $250k your first full year as a captain. Someone else can chime in on how long it takes to upgrade.

CincoDeMayo

You’re asking how long to hold a line as a Captain, basically. Because $250k is one thing, good QOL and $250k is another. Add on that your desire to go to one of the bases (ORD or DTW) that was recently downsized. Nobody can tell you how long this will be when you factor in the merger and you being junior to every JBLU pilot.

Let’s just say you will have many thousands of those 121 hours that your disregard so much, “looking out the window”.

NevadaJack

Man…

So what’s the normal take home pay and sched for a few thousand hours?

Would it be better to just apply to JBLU?

CincoDeMayo

Take hourly rate and multiple by 1000 for line holders to estimate gross pay. Take home is based on everything else that’s unique to each pilot. Some pilots contribute to 401k, some don’t, medical costs differ, tax withholding etc.

Applying at JBLU would do nothing for your seniority if the merger is successful, you’re at the bottom of both sides, doesn’t matter who you get hired with tomorrow.

Based on what your expectations seem to be, I don’t think you would be happy at any 121 when you learn what reserve is, that we have a contract we follow (no coloring outside the lines to suit your needs) and it’s seniority based progression. So no hanging out with the right people to help move the ball. If you think you’re going to see $250k and quality scheduled within 5 years, doubt it. Maybe if you want a junior base like FLL, but for DTW/ORD (if they survive) longer than 5 years for sure.