With Spirit gone, how much will this affect the pilot hiring market in the next 3-5 years?
Posted by Jfond001@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 18 comments
NakedJamaican@reddit
The effect will not be as powerful as many fear. Spirit has a bit over 2000 pilots. Let’s assume at least 500 were already on track to or planning to go to another airline. So I would guess only about 1500 are being added to the pool of actively searching pilot candidates. The majors could easily absorb those numbers in a year. The greater threat to hiring is the war with Iran.
NakedJamaican@reddit
Also, and this is not to throw shade at Spirit guys, there are probably a few hundred who have been at Spirit because they are unhireable elsewhere due to accidents, incidents, DUIs, etc.
BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit
Not even close to being true. Spirt is well known for have the toughest training program of all the airlines. Spirit pilots will all be hired well before any new streetcar hires happen
NakedJamaican@reddit
I think you’re missing my point.
All airlines have problem pilots. I’m not sure why you think that Spirit’s tough training has anything to do with some pilots being unhire-able.
71272710371910@reddit
Being in the HIMS program does not make one unhirable. If anything, the airlines like HIMS pilots bc they're monitored and guaranteed to not be a problem. You have no idea what you're carrying on about.
NakedJamaican@reddit
First, have to say that HIMS is an awesome program. It’s saved the careers and more importantly saved the lives of many pilots. I don’t think I ever said that someone in HIMS is unhire-able, but depending on the circumstances, someone in HIMS will have a more difficult time getting hired. Given a choice two otherwise equally qualified candidates, the non-HIMS pilot will most likely get the job.
71272710371910@reddit
Completely false. It is not even known to the airline during the interview process if someone is in HIMS. You do not know what you're talking about.
NakedJamaican@reddit
That’s news to me. Are you saying that an airline will not ask a candidate about any FAA medical Special Issuances?
71272710371910@reddit
Correct.
BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit
You are missing ALL of the points
vickie_re@reddit
That is just not true. Spirit was a top choice for many pilots because of their work/life balance. Spirit also has to follow same rules/guidelines as any of the major airlines.
NakedJamaican@reddit
True. Lots of pilots stayed at Spirit because it was a good place to work. I wasn’t trying to imply that Spirit followed different rules. I’m was just saying that there will be some number of pilots who understand they are unlikely to be hired at a legacy due to things in their past such as being in the HIMS program or having PC failures.
71272710371910@reddit
Stop going on about HIMS. You do not know what you're talking about. You sound like one of those Jamaicans who thinks he knows everything, but is actually a complete fool.
NakedJamaican@reddit
In a normal world where there is no war in the Middle East the legacies had been planning to hire around 8000 pilots this year. Smaller carriers such as Breeze and Allegiant could also bump up hiring in order to chase some of the 3% market that Spirit represented.
Nyaos@reddit
A certain number will also pursue different aviation opportunities too because they don’t want to commute or start over somewhere else.
swakid8@reddit
Also some will retire early
Enough-Animator9931@reddit
And some of them are getting close to retirement, right?
pilotshashi@reddit
Of course! A rated pilot will be prioritized. A total of 2500 TR pilots will need to be adjusted, which will take about 2-3 years. This adjustment will barely provide any opportunities for newcomers at the moment.