Originally Posted by
DropYourSocks
Couldn't agree more. It's true that your first 3 months pay wise at Spirit will be garbage, then mediocre for the rest of your first year. Also with the JB merger, commands are probably about to blow out too. But, after all that, you get a free faa atp, arguably the most valuable type rating in the world, and significantly more operational support than you'd get at a regional.
Also, while Spirit may not have the same quick upgrades and better pay initially as some regionals, it's a much better place to be if this recession sets in. 2nd year pay you're looking at $120k, and 3rd year $150k, plus 401k and all the rest. If I was coming over from Aus now and Spirit was on offer, it'd be foolish to pass it up.
FAA ATP isn't free at Spirit. You need to pay for your CTP which is a requisite to the written exam which is required for the ATP. They say "Free ATP" but it's a bit of a farce considering it's just a box to tick on the type ride form.