Sailor

I saw it today parked in FLL remote.

And 12 ACs this year, where and when did that start?, I always thought there were 4-5 max.

dn_wisconsin

It was there, looked nice with the shiny new paint.

Normann

It started on the biatchboard as 20 airplanes by the end of 2011. I think. Then it went to one each month starting September 2010. This was right below "50 downgrades if we sign the TA". Along with merger rumors and whatever else you can dream up like that we will be doing 2 month bidding in 2011. Of course none of it became true.

With oil being unpredictable I would rather have 5 instead of 12. Even 5 airplanes means a 15% expansion for this year. Sounds good to me. I don't want them to stretch their finances too thin. However if they go ahead with the IPO and get some good response from investors, deliveries could change dramatically. But that is an "if" after another "if". The last thing I have heard from Ben directly (meaning: him talking to me at the gate) was a few weeks ago. 2 more in Feb and 2 more later this year. Kind of like 2010.

Sailor

Thx Norm, I want those on the B-Board to choose my stocks!!

bubi352

N606NK is out of the assembly line in Toulouse. Doing its first flight tomorrow.

captscott26

I could not agree more, great post. Anyone who thinks Spirit could handle more than 20% growth in a year is smokin the good stuff! I would much rather see a slower pace of growth that actrually stays around, instead of the usual "hire 150, then rapidly furlough everyone" mentallity. While 12 airplanes would be great to see this year, it just wouldn't be feasible. We only have 33 airplanes folks. Let these guys grow the company in a responsible manner...we will all be better off in the end!!!!

Normann

Exactly. Imagine 2011 becomes a double dip scenario. I am not saying it will be but there is a significant chance. The bottom of the new hires will be on the street just like we were in 2008. Many of us went to Spirit in 2008 leaving good seniority behind at a regional. I had a 170 left seat award in my packet and would have been able to hold on to it through the recession making $70k or so. Instead I made $15k per year on furlough for almost two years. So far Spirit has cost me at least $110k, two years of my life, and my jet PIC. That was one heck of an expensive A320 type. All my fault.

I am very excited about growth and the "potential" of Spirit because there is potential here. I am all over every single delivery. But the reality is oil has been trading above $90 for the past 2 months. $20 from the panic button. Spirit and everyone else will need cash to fly through the peak if it goes higher. Right now it seems they are conserving their resources and I am very happy about that.

bubi352

I am hearing Spirit is buying 7 gates in ORD. Anyone could chime on that? From what I hear also, there is supposedly going to be a big announcement in 3 weeks. Could it be finally the IPO?

Sailor

Agreed with both. Last thing we need is another indecision 2008.

yournamehere

The MEC is always the last to know....