General Discussion

jmowreader

(53,333 posts) Sun May 3, 2026, 07:56 PM Sunday

How long do you think it'll take all Spirit's pilots to be hired by other airlines?

Spirit flew a mixed fleet of Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s. Both are popular jets. They had about 2000 pilots, all bearing type ratings for planes that airlines are screaming about not having enough people to fly.

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How long do you think it'll take all Spirit's pilots to be hired by other airlines? (Original Post) jmowreader Sunday OP

Hopefully, not long. Same for the ground crews, ticket agents, etc. I hope they LoisB Sunday #1

There's a serious pilot shortage, so they shouldn't have any problems (might have to relocate though) Tim S Sunday #2

Pilots will probably all find jobs DetroitLegalBeagle Sunday #3

My wife and I both lost our jobs in our Emile Sunday #4

I fly American Airlines only, and the vast majority of flights are full... Mark.b2 Sunday #5

LoisB

(13,303 posts)

1. Hopefully, not long. Same for the ground crews, ticket agents, etc. I hope they

Reply to jmowreader (Original post)

Sun May 3, 2026, 08:08 PM

Sunday

all land on their feet.

Tim S

(288 posts)

2. There's a serious pilot shortage, so they shouldn't have any problems (might have to relocate though)

Reply to jmowreader (Original post)

Sun May 3, 2026, 08:10 PM

Sunday

DetroitLegalBeagle

(2,522 posts)

3. Pilots will probably all find jobs

Reply to jmowreader (Original post)

Sun May 3, 2026, 08:25 PM

Sunday

Ground crew as well. The flight attendants are likely going to be screwed though, especially the experienced ones. Seniority is everything in that field. And it doesn't transfer to other airlines typically. So while many may find jobs, it will be at the bottom of the rung in both pay and schedules.

Emile

(43,042 posts)

4. My wife and I both lost our jobs in our

Reply to jmowreader (Original post)

Sun May 3, 2026, 08:29 PM

Sunday

mid 40's. It was tough, I feel for them.

Mark.b2

(807 posts)

5. I fly American Airlines only, and the vast majority of flights are full...

Reply to jmowreader (Original post)

Sun May 3, 2026, 08:46 PM

Sunday

And a cancellation for a crew shortage is not uncommon. I know Delta is the same. My guess is former Spirit pilots, flight crews and ground crews will be able to find work as other carrier go after some of the former Spirit lanes.

JetBlue is already being agressive in going after the affected lanes. They’ll probably have some staffing needs soon.

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