Kalitta Air or Jet Blue

[Jet Jock]

With very good prospects for a job at either airline, what airline would you choose?

 

[pilotpm]

Kalitta would be fun for a couple of years but Jet Blue would be the long term career choice I would make.

 

[johnsonrod]

With very good prospects for a job at either airline, what airline would you choose?

What kind of flying do you want to do? Would you mind being away for 17 days at a time? Kalitta mainly does International flying, while JB mainly does domestic. If you don't live in NYC, you may have to commute to reserve in NYC for a couple years if you go to JB, whereas I think you might be able to live anywhere for Kalitta. You may have always wanted to fly a 747, which means Kalitta may be your choice. The biggie in my mind would be being away from the US for 17 straight days. If you can do that, maybe Kalitta is your airline. Good luck.

 

[75 Driver]

Let's see: fly for a sh#tbag outfit with an single owner who could clutch his chest at any moment. Or he might just just get tired of this current set of "crybabies" (his words), or work for a company actively traded in the public forum with real schedules.

This is really a tough one.....

 

[Jet Jock]

Most important things: pay, job security, quality of life, upgrade

Kalitta: home basing, quick upgrade (leading to better pay)

JetBlue: more secure, less days out in a row (quality of life)

 

[embpic1]

Let's see: fly for a sh#tbag outfit with an single owner who could clutch his chest at any moment. Or he might just just get tired of this current set of "crybabies" (his words), or work for a company actively traded in the public forum with real schedules.

This is really a tough one.....

Connie has been setting up Kalitta to continue after his departure/retirement. We are making money hand over fist right now. We are buying new aircraft with cash with the exception of the 400s. Those 400s are being paid off quickly. The first three are already paid for and the other two will be in a year or so. Connie does 'not like to owe the banks money' (His words). We have the nicest classic sim out there. Connie just spent over a million dollars just to upgrade the graphics in it to the latest and greatest. We also have a 400 sim that is almost done. Certification should happen in a few months.

We are hiring quite a bit these days. I was in the sim today and a bunch of newhires were doing there type orals. There were also many interviews and sim evals taking place.

Sure we have our problems, but so does everyone. I have been here for six years and still enjoy it. Sure the 17 days kinda sucks but you get used to it. I just had 18 days off without using any vacation. Kinda nice. I only have to deal with the TSA twice a month (another plus). I have been to places that most people have never even heard of. I have had some great times on trips (Like going to the F1 races in Bahrain on a layover and walking around Red Square in Moscow)

As for Jet Blue, we actually have a former JB captain that is here. He is now a captain on the 400 and from what he told me, Kalitta is better fit for him.

 

[Jet Jock]

Does JetBlue have plenty of overtime available? Kalitta pays overtime at 150%? Again overtime can really crimp QOL but it is nice to know it is available if needed.

 

[GittinFatter]

Kalitta has guys that quit to go to the Blue, and Blue quit to come here. Kalitta has several former guys that hate the Blue.
So, Mr. 75 driver, don't be so hasty to ASSUME that the answer is so simple. It may be for you, but thank the easter bunny that everyone is not like you.

 

[Fubijaakr]

The one Kalitta pilot I know is VERY happy there.

 

[Jet Jock]

The Kalitta pilot is happy that he went to JetBlue or is happy at Kalitta?

Not sure why some think it is such an easy choice. Kalitta is not the "old outfit" that it once was and is steadily growing.

JetBlue is growing too and has a flexible schedule.

As for passengers vs freight...I couldn't care less.