As an airline pilot who has personally been through two bankruptcies, a nasty, contentious merger, a downgrade, and a furlough that left me unemployed during a down economy, I feel for the pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, ramp workers, and everyone else at Spirit.
These are hardworking people who showed up every day to keep those planes flying amidst uncertainty, the stress on families, and the sudden loss of livelihood that likely hit hard. Imagine going to sleep in a hotel room far away from your family not knowing if when you'd wake up that you'd still have a job? Just truly awful.
My heart goes out to them, especially when I know my own airline could very well be next in line if the industry’s challenges keep mounting.
Spirit Airlines started as a small charter operation in the 1980s before growing into a major ultra-low-cost carrier. They built a reputation for rock-bottom fares that made air travel accessible to many who might not have flown otherwise.
Who could forget the old commercials with that catchy jingle: “Catch the Spirit… of Spirit Airlines!” It was upbeat, memorable, and perfectly captured the fun, no-frills vibe they were going for back in the day.
Years ago I wrote a piece looking back at those classic Spirit commercials. If you’re feeling nostalgic or just want a trip down memory lane, you can read it here: "Catch the Spirit... Of Spirit Airlines!"
It’s bittersweet seeing an airline that was once so visible fade away. Aviation is a tough business, and Spirit’s story is a reminder of how quickly things can change.
Here’s hoping the affected employees find solid ground soon.
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