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Shutdown Update #3
Fellow Spirit ALPA Pilots,
Yesterday was one of the hardest days any of us have experienced in this career. Every pilot in this group is carrying something today — a career built here, a family relying on this job, a future you had planned around. This moment carries weight, and I am carrying it with you. I want to give you a clear picture of where things stand today.
As of yesterday, we are all terminated. It is a harsh word, but it is the technical reality, and it is what now unlocks the next set of actions you can take. You can begin filing for unemployment immediately. We are working directly with the company on pilot-specific termination questions, and full guidance on benefits will follow in a future update.
ALPA is fully engaged. ALPA National staff, legal counsel, and the Retirement and Insurance (R&I) experts are all active. ALPA will be present in the bankruptcy proceedings and will participate fully on behalf of this pilot group.
A full FAQ is coming soon, including detailed benefits, 401(k), and COBRA information. All resources can be found at spa.alpa.org.
The spa.alpa.org shutdown resources page is your primary source of information. No sign-in is required. It includes the following:
- Getting Home Info
- Jumpseat Info
- Furloughed Pilot Support Program (FPSP) information and resources.
- Pilot Peer Support (PPS) and stress management resources
CASS is no longer active as of 11 p.m. ET last night, May 2. Cockpit jumpseat access has ended.
The following carriers have confirmed cabin jumpseat availability for Spirit pilots:
- United: 14 days of cabin jumpseat access (through May 16)
- JetBlue: 14 days of cabin jumpseat access (through May 16)
- Alaska: 14 days of cabin jumpseat access (through May 16)
- Delta: 10 days of cabin jumpseat access currently confirmed (through May 12)
- American, United, Delta, and Alaska regional carriers: In accordance with their major partner's policy.
- Sun Country: 7 days of cabin jumpseat access (through 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 9, 2026).
- Breeze: 30 days of cabin jumpseating access (through June 2)
- Southwest: Existing Nonrevenue Space Available (NRSA) privileges extended for 14 days (through May 16), with the following conditions:
- Confirm that Spirit Airlines employees (including pilots) are in possession of an unexpired Spirit Airlines employee badge and government-issued identification.
- If access to myIDtravel has been terminated, advise the Spirit employee to call (877) 528-6535 to make an NRSA listing (phone lines will be available until Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT).
- Once a Spirit Airlines employee has an NRSA listing, they can be cleared into the cabin only.
A full jumpseat agreement directory can be found here and is updated continuously on the shutdown website.
Pay
We do not yet have confirmed information on the status of final paychecks, overrides, and per diem. We are pressing for answers and will communicate the moment we have them. Do not assume amounts are finalized. Hold on to any records of hours worked, overrides owed, and per diem.
Filing For Unemployment
You should file for unemployment benefits promptly. A waiting period typically applies, so do not delay. File in the state where you were based.
For general guidance, visit the Department of Labor site at dol.gov.
Bankruptcy Claims
ALPA National typically handles collective claims on behalf of pilot groups in bankruptcy proceedings. You do not need to file individual claims immediately. However, if you are owed overrides, per diem, or other outstanding amounts, we will provide specific guidance on whether and how to file. That guidance is being prepared now. Do not act until you hear from us.
WARN Act
Yesterday, ALPA received WARN Act notices (attached to this email) from Spirit Airlines stating that it “will be” conducting a reduction in force affecting employees ALPA represents at the following locations:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), 6000 North Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320
Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), 7050 Friendship Rd, Baltimore, MD 21240
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), 3200 E Airfield Dr, Dallas, TX 75261
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), 2500 World Gateway Place, Detroit, MI 48242
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), 10 Toler Pl, Newark, NJ 07114
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), 100 Terminal Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), 2800 N Terminal Rd, Houston, TX 77032
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), 5757 Wayne Newton Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89119
LaGuardia Airport (LGA), 9400 Ditmars Blvd · East Elmhurst, NY 11369
Orlando International Airport (MCO), 1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827
Miami International Airport (MIA), 42nd Ave, Miami, FL 33142
Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD), 10000 W O'Hare Ave, Chicago, IL 60666
MCO Infight & Operations Center (OOC), 10084 AirTran Blvd Orlando, FL 32827
Spirit Support Center, 1731 Radiant Drive Dania Beach, FL 33004
The WARN notice contained a list of pilots currently employed by Spirit and also stated:
This layoff will begin on May 2, 2026, or the 14-day period commencing on that date. The layoff will be permanent, and the Company’s operations at the locations will permanently cease. We regret that we are not able to give you more notice of your layoff. We were not able to do so because the Company was actively seeking capital to avoid these layoffs and closures and notice would have precluded the Company from obtaining the capital needed.
Pilots have raised issues of severance pay that may be available under the federal WARN Act and various state laws. We have referred those issues to our bankruptcy counsel for review and will advise when we have more information.
Training Records and Flight Time Documentation
Begin gathering your personal records now. This includes your logbook, check airman letters, most recent proficiency check, and any training records you have copies of. Do not rely solely on the company's systems — access may be restricted without notice.
Pilot Records Database (PRD)
Verifying your PRD is critical right now. The PRD is used in every hiring decision going forward, and you are the only one who can authorize a future employer to view it — but before you do, you should know what is in there so there are no surprises at your interview.
Log in and download your record. On the PRD home page, navigate to the "Pilot Info" tab and select the link labeled "VIEW/PRINT PAR" on the far right. This will download the entirety of your PRD. Keep a copy offline once you have verified all information is accurate.
Review for accuracy. Check the SAT/UNSAT result of all training events, dates, seat position, and course type ("Subpart N&O" is non-AQP; "Subpart Y" is AQP). A known error in Spirit's automated PRD uploads marked some current Captains as having gone through recent training events as First Officers — check yours.
Correct any errors through the PRD itself. Do not contact Spirit CrewTrain. On the PRD home page, use the "correction" tab and select "Request Correction" for any inaccurate event, or "Missing Record" if an event is missing entirely. Under 14 CFR § 111.250, if the reporting entity agrees the data is in error, they must correct it within 10 days; if they disagree, they have 30 days to initiate an investigation.
Note on authentication: As of August 4, 2025, the FAA transitioned PRD authentication from OKTA Verify to Login.gov. If you have not yet connected your FAA MyAccess profile to a Login.gov account, do so before attempting to access your records.
Company-Issued Devices
The Company iPad is not to be returned.
ALPA Resources
The ALPA Furloughed Pilot Support Program (FPSP) "Dealing with a Furlough" checklist is available at spa.alpa.org. It walks you through every step you need to take in the coming days and weeks to protect your career, your records, and your finances. The SPA Furlough Resources page also remains available to you here.
Preferential Interviews
Preferential Hiring and Interviews are being confirmed and will be communicated as they are received. ALPA President Jason Ambrosi has reached out directly to MEC chairs at all ALPA carriers requesting preferential hiring consideration for Spirit pilots.
Aeromedical Support
The Aviation Medicine Advisory Service (AMAS) is ALPA's consulting service for U.S. pilots, available at no cost to you. All AMAS physicians are residency-trained and board-certified in aerospace medicine, with most holding additional medical specialty certifications.
Visit alpa.org/aeromedical or call 303-341-4435.
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Pilot Peer Support (PPS)
We know this has been an incredibly long and painful process for you and your families. PPS connects ALPA members with trained pilot volunteers who provide confidential, nonjudgmental support for personal or professional challenges. Pilots and their families may reach out 24/7 for any reason.
Visit alpa.org/resources/pilot-peer-support or call 309-777-2572.
ALPA Membership
Verify that your ALPA membership is in good standing now.
Visit alpa.org/members, email Membership@alpa.org, or contact Membership Administration Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, at 888-FLY-ALPA (888-359-2572) and press 3.
If you or a fellow pilot can't access your ALPA account, use these direct links:
For ALPA membership purposes, SPA ALPA members who have not secured jobs at another ALPA carrier have been granted Inactive Participant (IP) status. Since the airline has stated that it has ceased operations, ALPA has concluded that there is no pilot seniority list to maintain for recalls (as would be seen at airlines which intend to reorganize) and therefore our pilots cannot be considered to be furloughed.
The "IP" Membership classification usually has a $75 annual membership fee for one year following the shutdown, but ALPA is waiving that for our pilot group. After the year, you may keep your IP status by paying $75 annually. The big benefit of retaining IP status is that it allows inactive members to continue to buy ALPA insurance if they need it.
Even though you are officially considered IPs for membership purposes and not furloughed members, you can also still access ALPA programs administered by the Furloughed Pilots Support Program. This includes preparing your personal finances, how to continue healthcare coverage after a shutdown, Pilot Peer Support, and furlough mentors.
Merger Fund
The merger fund will ultimately be audited and returned to the membership. Once there is a timeline for its return that information will be provided.
More information will follow soon. Again, spa.alpa.org/shutdown will be updated as we receive information.
Capt. Ryan P. Muller
SPA MEC Chairman
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