Originally Posted by
tossbag
In that case, I reckon Frontier would be prime.
I kinda disagree.
Short term (first six to twelve months) I’d agree. Conditions in the first three months for new hires at Spirit are poor. Going forward Spirits pay is ~ 22% higher and their retirement is slightly better. Spirits contract is far better in terms of QOL. Upgrade time is a wash time wise. Fourth year Captain pay is $286 at Spirit and $225 at Frontier. Yes, Frontier may sign a new contract and all of this may change for the better. On the other hand, Biffle would rather gnaw off his own leg. Frontiers $50K loan may be attractive on the surface, but a new hire will end up with ~ $35K after tax and have to pay back $50K if they leave within three years.
Regarding the Spirit/Jet Blue merger; it’s going to take three to five years before a seniority list integration is complete (f the DOJ approves). Whichever way it goes, a new hire today would potentially be in the left seat by then. I’d rather be at either the combined company or a standalone Spirit than Frontier.