To the folks complaining about not getting hired to the regional of your choice at 1500 hours… today was the reality of this industry.
And by that I mean there are no guarantees
The crew who landed the last flights for Spirit were at their career destination. Not because they were short sighted about the big three but because at one point Spirit out profited the big three. Maybe they had a wonderful home at a Spirit base making 300k a year with some of the best work rules out there. They were happy where they were, we should all be so lucky.
But today they are looking for a job. They are faced with going to a regional to leverage experience for $ or the big three with a commute as a year one FO. Some might never see the left seat, and the financial security it brings, again.
That’s this industry. Think of that when you’re bemoaning the fact that right after Covid you could get a major with a wet ATP and now you can’t… because there are crew members at Spirit that seven years ago were masters of their universe.
I’ll say it again there are no guarantees. TWA and Pan Am pilots could attest to it. American pilots who lost a pension can tell you. Those of us who have been navigating this industry can tell you.
For some of you only seeing is believing… you’re seeing it today. Sorry if it takes you longer to get into the job you want but I want to see my brothers and sisters at Spirit with their no fatality safety record landing a job before a CFI “with volunteering history” that’s just how this works.
Finally, when you’re looking down your nose at whatever choice a pilot made when it comes to their career destination remember that there are no guarantees and you should humble yourself to that reality.
Sorry for the wall of text but I am hoping this results in some much needed learning. Feel free to chime in below with personal experiences in aviation industry volatility