What does Spirit shutting down mean for new pilots?
Posted by AccomplishedLand971@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 22 comments
Hey everyone, as I’m sure nearly everyone is aware Spirit is shutting down. As an aspiring pilot who is going to start training soon, I can’t help but think of the implications of this. Of course, I firstly share my grievances with all Spirit employees and pilots affected. But, I’m also aware this will result in many well trained and experienced pilots starting to apply for other employees. With this, I’m making an educated guess, that as supply increases it will be much harder to secure a job and said job will be likely to yield less benefits. As you might be able to tell, I haven’t researched this much, but if any of you want to share you opinions or advice it would be greatly appreciated.
Necessary_Wind_8590@reddit
I wish someone on reddit could state/create what's needed for Spirit Airlines to come back. Let's safe Spirit like we did Gamestop. Or was that just a one time thing?
jjamesr539@reddit
It doesn’t mean as much as you’d think it would, at least on its own. The general economic conditions that lead to it shutting down aren’t great for new pilots, obviously, but the big three also employ around 40 thousand pilots collectively with that not even counting the many thousands employed elsewhere. Spirit, as of their last reported numbers, employed around 2,600. That’s not enough to move the needle on the viability of a new pilots career.
MEtoaviator@reddit
The largest three airlines in the US employ AT LEAST 52,000 ATPs, according to their own unions. I normally don’t reply but your figure is so ridiculously outdated that it warrants it.
JKKIDD231@reddit
Didn’t they have about 80planes after they winded down operations in 2025. So pilot roaster remains that huge even for 80 planes or they just weren’t let go as planes (fleet size) were reduced?
pattern_altitude@reddit
If you haven’t even started training yet, things will look very different once you hit the market. There’s no use trying to time it. Random shit happens and demand grows and shrinks.
_Yellow_13@reddit
Demand is now lower. And supply is higher.
You have 2000 experienced pilots with jet time.
A newish pilot with 1500 hours flight instructing will be behind them .
72chevnj@reddit
A chance to buy the company, letsbuyspirt d com
Former_Farm_3618@reddit
lol. Are people just pleading this money or are they actually sending their money to never be seen from again?!
72chevnj@reddit
Pledging now until further details come out. The guy who flew spirit 24hr straight is running the show, im just along for the ride now.
Great_Guidance_8448@reddit
The demand for flights is not going down.
LOFan80@reddit
Demand for flights has nothing to do with it. The economics of providing them does. Which is absolutely “going down” due to very high fuel prices. Airlines are cutting schedules which means they need fewer pilots. Combined with a few thousand pilots now available, it is not a good time to be a new pilot looking for a job.
Cagliari77@reddit
Looking for jobs. What else?
DoubleTie2696@reddit
Spirits planes aren't going to disapppear, they will most likely be bough by other airlines(or there may be a few that are scrapped given the demand for parts but i dont see all 131 of their planes being scrapped. If other airlines get these planes, they'll need more pilots so the job market won't be that bad(but many spirit pilots will also probably be joining these airlines)
And according to quite a few sources online, there is still a pilot shortage in the us, so it shouldn't be that much of an issue, espescially when p&w fix their issues with their engines so that more a320/a321neos can start being delivered again(more planes delivered means more planes flying means more pilots needed)
Apprehensive_Cost937@reddit
That's under the assumption all aircraft end up with US airlines, which is far from guaranteed, and even quite unlikely, since they're in high density configuration.
DoubleTie2696@reddit
they dont need to fly for a us airline. even if they end up flying on the other side of the world, that airline will still need pilots. so the overall number of pilots needed will still increase. but yeah, this makes it worse for op if he doesn't want to move to another region
Apprehensive_Cost937@reddit
Or if they can't move. Airline that hire foreign pilots are generally quite rare overall, US airlines being the prime example.
PoliticalDestruction@reddit
Most of their fleet is leased so could be sold/leased to other airlines.
AccomplishedLand971@reddit (OP)
Very insightful, thanks
BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit
Means you just moved back 2100 places in line
UAL, AA and DAL all have Spirit pilot recruitment portals and they are giving preferential treatment to them and why wouldn’t you. Spirit is well known for having a very tough training program and why wouldn’t you hire them if you operate airbuses
The good news is that the airlines are saying they need around 7600 pilots this year. Just now after Spirit shutdown they need 5500 pilots this year
That’s what it means
DefundTheHOA_@reddit
Means you’re gonna be a CFI for longer
Dilated_Auntie6970@reddit
Presumably that means they'll be wearing their silk dress at the hotel bar wondering what the moustache feels like on their hairy cheeks, rather than the owner of said moustache who has to fly out in 8 hours back to his wife and her boyfriend.
Ecthelion-O-Fountain@reddit
If you’re just starting trading this isn’t going to affect you really. But broader issues could. Oh well that’s the business