Guest Commentary By Capt. Stuart Morrison, ALPA Spirit Master Executive Council Chairman
This week, airline passengers and cargo shippers at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport saw nearly 100 Spirit Airlines pilots conduct informational picketing in uniform. Joined by pilots from Frontier Airlines, Republic Airlines, and Southwest Airlines, ALPA members who fly for Spirit Airlines stood in unity to express support for our Negotiating Committee members as they bargain a new contract.
Spirit Airlines is one of the most profitable airlines in the United States, as well as the fastest growing. Last quarter, the company reported net profits of $73.1 million. Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines pilots’ total compensation is less than half of our peers, depending on longevity with the company.
As negotiations for a new contract approach the two-year mark, our pilots have been pressing Spirit Airlines management for a compensation package that would bring the pilot group in line with industry standard. Yet, Spirit Airlines management recently declined meeting dates in December, claiming unavailability.
As demonstrated by the fantastic turnout at Dallas-Fort Worth, Spirit Airlines pilots speak with one voice. We are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to get the contract we’ve earned. ALPA’s Spirit Airlines pilots know that the more than 53,000 other ALPA pilots who fly for 30 U.S. and Canadian airlines stand with us in our cause.