razorseal

Hey all,

I pursued a career in aviation back in 2006-09 but ended up joining the military and got into a police career. I was just shy of getting my Commercial stuff before I gave up. I am 38 and after a good 12 years in policing and working up the ranks, I want to get back into aviation. Few friends who fly other majors have convinced me the time is now. I have about 350-400TT so I am way short of what I need for ATP, so I will sell some hobby items I've collected over the years and get into a time building program and get my CMEL/CSEL & R-ATP (AS degree in aviation).

I am located in South Florida, so Jetblue and Spirit has always been on my radar for FLL. Back when I was trying this for the first time it was my goal to end up there... but going to a regional with 500TT and making 12 dollars an hour was not something I could have sustained.

From what I have read and what my friends have told me, times have changed... I've heard some have gone straight from skyhawks to spirit etc.

This got me excited, and I am willing to sacrifice my career in law enforcement to make a career change halfway through it. I'm scared because it's an unknown but the family and I have decided we're going to do this.

That being said I wanted to know guys who fly spirit here what you think about your airline. is a guy like me going to stand a chance against other applicants once I have my R-ATP by the end of the year hopefully? I do hiring interviews at my agency, so I know most jobs look for a specific type of applicant. Will be weird to be on the other end of an interview.

Once I'm settled at a major like Spirit, I don't plan on changing to a legacy and start with another airline. I'm usually a lifer. I stayed at my local police department and never went to a "bigger & better paying" agency. I plan to do same with Spirit.

One of the biggest QOL from a workplace for me is I want a drama-free environment as much as possible. There is a lot of drama in a police department and sometimes I'd rather deal with criminals over administration and drama from other officers. It's out of control. Anyone who has worked law enforcement will know this.

ToastnCheese

Don’t put all of your eggs into one basket, although it is possible to go from Skyhawks to Spirit you need to be okay if you end up needing to build up a little jet time somewhere else. For Spirit you will also need to meet unrestricted ATP mins not R-ATP. You will also need to complete your ATP written.

razorseal

Got it. It's just hopes.

and thank you for letting me know you need full ATP, not just R-ATP. I appreciate it.

I thought about plane-sense to build some turbine time, but I am open to going to a regional from the skyhawks. I just can't relocate so will need to commute. I forgot how that stuff works from my time doing the research over 10 years ago.

ToastnCheese

Just to clarify, you do not need to physically hold the atp certificate you need to meet the minimum experience requirements to obtain it, including having the written complete.

razorseal

Ok. When I was doing this back in 09. ATP wasn't required. You'd go to a regional for $12 an hour with about 750TT as a FO, and when time to upgrade came, you'd have enough to get your ATP and the regional would pay it for you to get it. If you couldn't, you got stuck as a FO.

Fast forward to 2023, this isn't the case anymore. I guess it works a little different now.

You need to meet the requirements to obtain ATP, then you go to a school to get the ATP-CTP course done, and take the written. then you have 60 months to get the practical done. Will spirit do this practical part, or do I need this done when I get on with spirit (or other airlines for that matter)?

ToastnCheese

Spirit will do the practical for you on your type ride.

RemoveB4flght

I’m going to caution you to think long and hard about what you are doing, and then think about it again.

This has nothing to do with what I think about Spirit or the merits of a career here.

You mentioned that you had considered the career before, but the low pay (which was never $12/hr, and I made some dogsh*t pay way back when) wasn’t “sustainable”. Maybe it wasn’t attractive, yet and still thousands of us slogged through it and made it work, so it was in fact possible.

You mention that a south Florida base would be the biggest factor in your interest in transitioning to this career. While a stint at a regional that would require commuting may be a short lived segue to a carrier with a south Florida base, there are no guarantees in this industry. If a position near you doesn’t materialize, are you ok with commuting for thirty years?

You mention a desire to avoid drama in your working environment. While I’ve seen enough YouTube cop cam videos to have a sense of what a patrol officer comes across on a given shift, working for an airline, no matter how prestigious the name on the tail is, is far from a drama-free experience. I have the benefit of a very nice schedule and lots of days off, and there are still days with operational issues, passenger difficulties, weather diversions, maintenance delays, and all the other things that keep you on your toes.

My point is that while there are some opportunities today that may not have been available more than ten years ago, it’s still the same job it was back then. Jumping from cessnas to Spirit shouldn’t be the deciding factor in your decision. We could have blue airplanes by the time you are eligible to apply. Outside events have shifted the course of this industry multiple times throughout history, and they will again at some point. Make sure you consider all possible scenarios and your contentment with one’s that may not go the way you would prefer.

razorseal

I am considering everything. I guess it's just a best case scenario. I have been a member of this forum since I started. I learn alot from here and experience of others which guides me decision making.

I know the struggle in the beginning years of anything. I started as a reserve cop because nobody was hiring, living on ramen noodles and working a part time job because my PD wouldn't pay me while my gf (wife now) supported me.

Now I have a family so it gets bit more quirky. but from what I'm seeing the movement is pretty quick. I can never have the knowledge of you guys that's actually in the industry, but we got regionals paying my years worth salary (plus some in some cases) just to get direct entry captains. Talk about desperate need of pilots. lol

I def won't enjoy communiting, but also being in the military in the past and having to leave my family to get stuff done, we've made it happen before. I would just hope I could eventually get to a local airline down the road.

I read each response and take it into consideration, so thank you for that.

Noisecanceller

Spirit loves to hire pilots that don’t care about being the highest paid. You’re a shoe in. I know you’re just making a post on the internet but once you’re here don’t be that guy. Absolutely want to be the highest paid!

BTW if you live in south Florida at your age and experience I would strongly consider any pathway to American Airlines

planejoe

Liberty University (online program that works with local flight schools) is now partnered with Spirit to bring people on board at RATP minimums.

https://www.liberty.edu/news/2023/09...ilot-pipeline/

"After reaching Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) minimum requirements, program pilots must successfully complete the Spirit-funded and approved Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP CTP) and Jet Transition Course. Graduates who meet all program requirements will join the team as Spirit first officers."