FO Pay for JetBlue

[CheckandSet]

Only reason ups pays well is that no one in there right mind would fly all freaking night long! I jumpseated the other night and it was depressing the thought of doing a round trip to ONT !

You tell'em Louie- if you don't like it leave!! There are Jobs out there that are alot worse then Jetblue! Sorry, this was on the page prior!

 

[FLYfishin]

Only reason ups pays well is that no one in there right mind would fly all freaking night long! I jumpseated the other night and it was depressing the thought of doing a round trip to ONT !

You tell'em Louie- if you don't like it leave!! There are Jobs out there that are alot worse then Jetblue! Sorry, this was on the page prior!

Alright, I'll take the bait.....The reason UPS pays so much is because we make $5 Billion a year in profit and we have a strong Union -- two things JB doesn't have. Don't get me wrong, I loved working for JetBlue. I was just annoyed that UPS was brought into this thread.

 

[Jet41]

Then stop posting in this thread.

 

[TheCheat]

Here's my story...

I ended up turning down the job offer after thinking long and hard about it. (I had 2.5 months) If they had contacted me a week after the interview, with the excitement still fresh, I would have gone, but I had a lot of time to think and...

Basically, 5th yr 190CA makes the same hourly rate I'd be making as a 14 yr CA at my regional. (from Airlinepilotcentral.com. Yeah, I know, time and a half...) And that's without the years as an FO making less. There's no real profit until A320CA, and Dean M. the fleet manager said *in my interview* that that could be 10 years. Top that with commuting to JFK from a non - JB city, and the choice eventually made itself.

It's really too bad. I love JB and think I would be very happy there. What I don't love is NYC, (in fact, I despise the place) or the thought of commuting for the rest of my career. I heard "just wait 2 years and move to FLL," but remember, when you upgrade it's back to NYC for a much longer period.

This is not intended as flame bait, or to talk anyone out of JB. As I said, I truly admire the company, but for me it came down to the slow "return on investment." And the commuting thing. I'm lucky enough now that I don't commute and never have. As I get older I feel that it's something I just don't wish to deal with for more than my first year with a new company.

Good luck with your decision...

 

[WabiSabi]

Alright, I'll take the bait.....The reason UPS pays so much is because we make $5 Billion a year in profit and we have a strong Union -- two things JB doesn't have. Don't get me wrong, I loved working for JetBlue. I was just annoyed that UPS was brought into this thread.

Lighten up pal. You're making a mountain out of a mole hill. I don't think anyone was dissing UPS. It was simply a comparison for first year FO pay, nothing else. Take it in same context as if it was worded;
"Even the great UPS's first year FO pay is lower." Now get some sleep.

 

[My Man SMITH!]

What does UPS have to do with JetBlue first year pay? He didn't anser the question. I've worked at both companies -- there is no comparison.

No comparison in CULTURE either. But hey, it's all about the paycheck and good for you. As long as you are happy that's all that matters. To me, it's not all about the money. I feel very respected and appreciated here and I am happy. Happy Holidays!

 

[johnsonrod]

Here's my story...

I ended up turning down the job offer after thinking long and hard about it. (I had 2.5 months) If they had contacted me a week after the interview, with the excitement still fresh, I would have gone, but I had a lot of time to think and...

Basically, 5th yr 190CA makes the same hourly rate I'd be making as a 14 yr CA at my regional. (from Airlinepilotcentral.com. Yeah, I know, time and a half...) And that's without the years as an FO making less. There's no real profit until A320CA, and Dean M. the fleet manager said *in my interview* that that could be 10 years. Top that with commuting to JFK from a non - JB city, and the choice eventually made itself.

It's really too bad. I love JB and think I would be very happy there. What I don't love is NYC, (in fact, I despise the place) or the thought of commuting for the rest of my career. I heard "just wait 2 years and move to FLL," but remember, when you upgrade it's back to NYC for a much longer period.

This is not intended as flame bait, or to talk anyone out of JB. As I said, I truly admire the company, but for me it came down to the slow "return on investment." And the commuting thing. I'm lucky enough now that I don't commute and never have. As I get older I feel that it's something I just don't wish to deal with for more than my first year with a new company.

Good luck with your decision...

Excellent post. I like how you considered the long term ROI implications - that's rare nowadays. If you are still interested in leaving your regional (I know I am), Netjets is hiring and their new TA is pretty compelling for newhires from what I have seen. Delta and SWA look pretty good too.

Good luck!

 

[clickclickboom]

Here's my story...

I ended up turning down the job offer after thinking long and hard about it. (I had 2.5 months) If they had contacted me a week after the interview, with the excitement still fresh, I would have gone, but I had a lot of time to think and...

Basically, 5th yr 190CA makes the same hourly rate I'd be making as a 14 yr CA at my regional. (from Airlinepilotcentral.com. Yeah, I know, time and a half...) And that's without the years as an FO making less. There's no real profit until A320CA, and Dean M. the fleet manager said *in my interview* that that could be 10 years. Top that with commuting to JFK from a non - JB city, and the choice eventually made itself.

It's really too bad. I love JB and think I would be very happy there. What I don't love is NYC, (in fact, I despise the place) or the thought of commuting for the rest of my career. I heard "just wait 2 years and move to FLL," but remember, when you upgrade it's back to NYC for a much longer period.

This is not intended as flame bait, or to talk anyone out of JB. As I said, I truly admire the company, but for me it came down to the slow "return on investment." And the commuting thing. I'm lucky enough now that I don't commute and never have. As I get older I feel that it's something I just don't wish to deal with for more than my first year with a new company.

Good luck with your decision...

Great Post.. You need to send an email to dean or verna and explain that to them so it will expedite improvements for furure new hire pilots.. That has been the biggest question now that upgrade times have increased. Stay at a regional as a ca or go to the bottom of jetblue or another airline.

Jb is a great company but our current payscales assumed a quick upgrade. Now that it has increased management knows that they need to have more longevity raises so lets see how long it takes..??

 

[My Man SMITH!]

Here's my story...

I ended up turning down the job offer after thinking long and hard about it. (I had 2.5 months) If they had contacted me a week after the interview, with the excitement still fresh, I would have gone, but I had a lot of time to think and...

Basically, 5th yr 190CA makes the same hourly rate I'd be making as a 14 yr CA at my regional. (from Airlinepilotcentral.com. Yeah, I know, time and a half...) And that's without the years as an FO making less. There's no real profit until A320CA, and Dean M. the fleet manager said *in my interview* that that could be 10 years. Top that with commuting to JFK from a non - JB city, and the choice eventually made itself.

It's really too bad. I love JB and think I would be very happy there. What I don't love is NYC, (in fact, I despise the place) or the thought of commuting for the rest of my career. I heard "just wait 2 years and move to FLL," but remember, when you upgrade it's back to NYC for a much longer period.

This is not intended as flame bait, or to talk anyone out of JB. As I said, I truly admire the company, but for me it came down to the slow "return on investment." And the commuting thing. I'm lucky enough now that I don't commute and never have. As I get older I feel that it's something I just don't wish to deal with for more than my first year with a new company.

Good luck with your decision...

Best of luck with your career and your decision. I can tell you firsthand, whether its Jetblue, SWA, CAL, or any other major, getting off the regional level itself is a huge difference. I've been here just over a year and I can tell you it's a night and day difference compared to being at a regional. If this company were to go away tomorrow, I wouldn't regret my decision one bit. This was a wake up call to me and I'm very glad it worked out. To each his own, but just something to think about.

 

[Caveman]

Best of luck with your career and your decision. I can tell you firsthand, whether its Jetblue, SWA, CAL, or any other major, getting off the regional level itself is a huge difference. I've been here just over a year and I can tell you it's a night and day difference compared to being at a regional. If this company were to go away tomorrow, I wouldn't regret my decision one bit. This was a wake up call to me and I'm very glad it worked out. To each his own, but just something to think about.

I agree. No comparison between being at JetBlue (or SWA, or Spirit, or any other LCC/Legacy) and being an RJ Captain. It's a different league. I know, I know. I thought differently when I was an RJ Captain too. Trust me, it's a very different world. I agree that in the short run the pay is similar, but it won't take long for the average pilot to make more at an LCC than what he was making at a regional. It's a tougher call if you have a lot of time invested at your regional (10+ years) and you live in domicile. I still think that for the majority of us leaving an RJ Captain seat to go to SWA, JB, Spirit, AirTran, etc is the smart move. There are exceptions. Everybody's circumstances are different. YMMV, but for me it worked out extremely well.

 

[a320drivr]

You Should Leave Then!!

Keep drinking the juice a hole!!!!

 

[Fins Up]

A320 upgrade is 7-8yrs, 190 is about 3.

Negative on that 190 info. A buddy in my class just got the upgrade after 21 months. Still not what it was before, but pretty good compared to a lot of other places.

 

[Floatplane]

All A320 Capt.'s have been hired. You can expect to be an F.O. at Jetblue for a very very long time.

 

[Splert]

Negative on that 190 info. A buddy in my class just got the upgrade after 21 months. Still not what it was before, but pretty good compared to a lot of other places.

With the new delivery schedule I would count on at least 5 years as a E190 FO.

 

[sligo1]

Hey Louie looks like you pissed off a-320 driver. You should have been over with all of us " Express" 190 folks, living the good life. We know all about a-holes Louie and this guy fits the bill to a tee. Jerk

 

[Fins Up]

With the new delivery schedule I would count on at least 5 years as a E190 FO.

I doubt it. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Headfake14]

I doubt it too....still too much attrition...mostly FOs. All 190 upgrades have been under two years still. Things may change a bit with BOS growing and then 190 flying out west starting April-ish.

 

[IronCityBlue]

Growth has come to a screeching slowdown, and planes are being erased from the fleet plan via sales and lease expirations that are not renewed. Its still net growth, but less than a third the growth it was a little over a year ago. 320 sales are being accelerated to half of the remaining (lower) post-deferral numbers. Maybe 6 a year, tops.

The 190 is 6 per year as well. Partly because it can't compete anywhere in the midwest. Unless we radically change our business model, it never will. We still treat new cities as JFK-FLL. IOW we price and market them so that they have to be full, every flight, every time, or we can't/refuse to make money on them. Also the factory is unable to produce any more than that without burning other customers of theirs. That's why we mutually agreed on a 66% reduced delivery sked. Lots of managerial/philosophical changes going on though, so hopefuly that changes. Expect a first class soon, that should help.

Attrition is around 150 per year. We still haven't hit the bulk of AA/TWA or DAL recalls, and most of the bottom 60% or more would bail to SWA, FEX, UPS and the legacy of their choice already. Some are holding out for post 9-11 contracts to happen and then bail (first year or even two pay at UAL, CAL and NWA would be a catestrophic pay cut for most with a family to support) but expect attrition to be 150-200 per year. That will account for over half the hiring.

Pay raises are possible, but extremely unlikely unless post 9-11 contracts start to be inked. 320 upgrade is a long, long way off for a new hire today. 190 upgrade will probably swing from 2 to 3 years and back again for quite a while though.

$43,710 is the least you will make as a new FO in either plane based on 12 months of min guarantee. Training pay is less, but breaking guarantee/holding a line adds money rapidly per hour. I'd say 50K your first year if you slack, 55 if you fly average and 60-65 if you work really hard. You can actually make a lot more if you live at the airport, and some guys do. I know a second year FO who will probably top 120 this year, but that's all he does.

Also compare insurance plans at your regional with Blue's. Some are better, others the same, a few worse. This could be a serious financial swing in your consideration. As with any move, calsulate not only how long it would take for you to make what you are making now, but also how long it will take for you to make up for the loss of income (plus interest/investment appreciation) since you mentioned you would be taking a pay cut.

Best of luck with your decision and welcome aboard if you chose to work here. I hope my post didn't sount too negative. I'm just trying to give you an honest assessment of what to expect. Overall its not a bad place to be, though it could be (and needs to be) better. In any case, neither you or the company will benefit from failing to meet your expectations and leaving you disappointed and regretting your decision.

Know what you're getting into and make the best choice you can for you and your family.

 

[olympus593]

Do y'all get bonuses when you have to dump the Lav? At least nobody can see the blue juice stain on your blue shirt...

 

[Fins Up]

Do y'all get bonuses when you have to dump the Lav? At least nobody can see the blue juice stain on your blue shirt...

good one. tard.