Many of you have probably viewed the Instagram video involving Spirit Airlines Captain Jon Jackson. On Saturday, May 2nd Spirit closed its doors. That day was to be Captain Jackson’s final flight before retiring. Instead, he became a passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight to Baltimore.
Jackson’s son, a Southwest copilot, who sat beside him, informed the operating crew of the situation. The crew advised their dispatcher. Upon arrival, in Captain Jackson’s honor, the flight got a water gun salute, a bottle of champagne for the retiree, and a round of applause from agents at the top of the jet bridge. Sad.
Knowing that I had a valuable connection at another low-cost carrier, a fellow retired check airman colleague contacted me regarding a friend that had just become an unemployed 57-year-old Spirit Captain. Would the low-cost airline consider hiring him? Heartbreaking.
Even though I witnessed the pain in the eyes of Eastern Airline pilots when the strike began in 1989 and the cessation of operations in 1991, I also witnessed the humanity and brotherhood of my fellow pilots. No one allowed the jet bridge to swing away without ensuring an Eastern pilot got a ride. No one allowed an Eastern pilot to sleep in the airport or a hotel lobby without offering to share a layover room.
Those of us in the industry knew that Spirit was living on the ragged edge before Jet A doubled in price. But let’s not immediately dismiss the fate of an airline that was often the whipping boy for late-night talk show jokes. The human cost is immeasurable. Families that depended on employment with Spirit will feel the pain, especially in this rising cost environment. And the emotional toll can be excruciating.
Spirit Airline pilots don’t automatically transfer to another airline. They have to apply. They have to interview. Their seniority doesn’t follow them. With very few exceptions, captains don’t remain captains; they become copilots again. Pilots go to the bottom of their new employer’s seniority list with the corresponding pay.
Spirit has no defined retirement benefit, only a 401(k) plan. These pilots may not have the financial means to retire if they’re within a few years of age 65. It’s unfortunate, but some of these folks may have to consider other flying opportunities in the corporate world, outside of the U.S., or perhaps become airline ground and simulator instructors. Either way, it’s an emotional and financial trauma.
And for aspiring airline pilots, the market has become a little more competitive with potentially about 2,000 qualified Spirit candidates. But eventually these pilots will be absorbed, so don’t give up hope.
Beyond the suffering of employees, is the cost to the flying public. Spirit Airlines made air travel affordable for many that would be driving instead. Although other low-cost carriers like Breeze, Frontier, Allegiant, and Avelo may take up some of the slack, their business models are different. In general, less choice will be available for the budget-conscious traveler, notwithstanding stranding hundreds of customers when the airplanes were parked.
So, if you know a Spirit Airlines employee, give them a hug. Perhaps you can assist in their employment search. Or perhaps you can just buy them lunch. Regardless, just be understanding.
I just recently went through a job change after my position was moved out of country. My old company was motivated to move the position because of tariffs. I feel horribly for the spirit employees as they are a victim of poorly run capitalism society. Where regulations favor the rich and politicians with no accountability.
Yes, things are much better in Socialist countries. Get out much?
How about more reasonable discussion and less trolling.
Blah, blah, blah, favor the rich. It is the rich who create the jobs, don’tcha know. You could have moved with the job, after all.
BTW, I was a pilot and my wife was a flight attendant with an airline that went bankrupt a long time back. We got other jobs outside of the industry.
Well said Les. “Just be understanding.” May the Spirit team find new homes soon.
I realize you are speaking from the point of view of a pilot to pilots, and it is sad. But don’t forget the other Spirit employees. And the economic fallout in the local community with loss of revenue from parking fees and airport amenities, local short term hotels, car rental agencies, and such.
Having been through a forced bankruptcy in a pt135 company I flew for, I sympathize with all of the employees (except upper management) who are now out of work. Hopefully those with 401K accounts don’t have to wait a year to access their accounts while the bankruptcy process plays out, like I had to. As far as upper management is concerned, sooner or later someone has to understand that you can’t run a non-government business that loses money forever. You have to price your end product that covers your costs. The business model Spirit used has now demonstrated that. I finally told my company that I refuse to airline on Spirit due to their lack of leg room and uncomfortable seats, even in their “extended” legroom seats. I suspect that Frontier will be the next airline to fold if they haven’t learned from the Spirit mistake! Before the current price increases on fuel is mentioned, that is a perfect example. When costs go up so must your pricing to cover that cost increase. This “market” pricing nonsense of airline fares is nuts.