Airline, Union Remain At Odds Over Pilot Pay

As a result of its pilot union's decision to strike, Spirit's flights are now cancelled through Wednesday, June 16, 2010. 
 
Spirit is processing future flight credits for customers for the full amount of their unflown flight purchase, and is also giving them a $100 future flight credit.  Customers who prefer a full refund instead may call the airline for assistance. 
 
Customers who made their reservation prior to May 11, 2010 and purchased travel insurance can call Travel Guard to discuss coverage questions and to start an insurance claim. Policyholders may have valuable coverage for Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption due to the pilots strike.
 
As reported in Spirit's June 13 press release, ALPA turned down a compounded average 29 percent pay increase costing the company an additional $70 million over five years, net of productivity improvements agreed to by the pilots.  This 29 percent pay increase when combined with annual step increases totals a 47 percent increase in annual compensation over five years, prior to any overtime pay, signing bonus and 401K matching contribution increases.

On the ALPA website, the union reaffirms that Spirit pilots have vowed not to fly the line until management "comes to the table with a deal that recognizes the worth of a professional pilot."

FMI: www.spiritair.com, www.alpa.org