JetBlue- To go or not?

[ASA_Aviator]

So JetBlue is turning on the interview machine soon. What do you guys think about them as opposed to staying and waiting for a legacy to hire?

If American purchases them, would it likely be a staple? Even with a staple, wouldn't that be better than staying longer at a regional?

Just trying to get a feel for the opinions out there.

 

[Otto77]

things are great over here. Might as well throw your stuff in and see what you think. If you want to make a move later on, you always have the ability.

 

[Fins Up]

Since the union vote just failed emotions are pretty high around here right now. I'm disappointed in the outcome but that's life.

I've been here for 5+ years and, despite the vote outcome, am still happy here. We certainly have our problems, but I wouldn't steer anyone away from here. Take all the negativity and cynicism with a grain of salt.

 

[Blue Dude]

Hmm, would I recommend JB? As a new hire, sure, if you have nothing to lose. But in all honesty I wouldn't expect it to be a career destination for you, not at this time, maybe not ever. It's better than a regional, but that's really damning with faint praise. If you don't have enough turbine PIC to be competitive somewhere else, then I would wait until you do, since you won't find any here for a long time. But if you have all the boxes checked, want some large jet time and can tolerate the first year pay cut, and likely worse benefits than you have now, come on over.

Man, that sounds bitter. Scratch all that. I'll check back in six months with a better attitude I hope.

 

[mejorgy]

So JetBlue is turning on the interview machine soon. What do you guys think about them as opposed to staying and waiting for a legacy to hire?

If American purchases them, would it likely be a staple? Even with a staple, wouldn't that be better than staying longer at a regional?

Just trying to get a feel for the opinions out there.

ASA...... Come One, Come All....

Been here 4 full years.... Reserve 4 full years.... Who the h-ll knows what would happen in a merger?????????????

I am all for newbies coming on property! Take your chances and see what happens

 

[ASA_Aviator]

ASA...... Come One, Come All....

Been here 4 full years.... Reserve 4 full years.... Who the h-ll knows what would happen in a merger?????????????

I am all for newbies coming on property! Take your chances and see what happens

Haha. I'm gonna apply. At the very least I'll have to brush the dust off of my logbook!

 

[johnsonrod]

I hear Kalitta and Southern are hiring too... I don't work at either, but if you are looking for something interesting/exotic and you ultimately want to jump to a legacy and take the ultra slow-road to the Captain seat, why not get some 747-400 (Kalitta operates them and Southern will be adding 400s shortly) time in the interim...

Your new office awaits:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Carg...69725/L/&sid=0887d168ec17ef1134c5ed646a11997f

 

[WSurf]

So JetBlue is turning on the interview machine soon. What do you guys think about them as opposed to staying and waiting for a legacy to hire?

If American purchases them, would it likely be a staple? Even with a staple, wouldn't that be better than staying longer at a regional?

Just trying to get a feel for the opinions out there.

Don't think American will be purchasing anyone anytime soon.

 

[B6Busdriver]

So JetBlue is turning on the interview machine soon. What do you guys think about them as opposed to staying and waiting for a legacy to hire?

If American purchases them, would it likely be a staple? Even with a staple, wouldn't that be better than staying longer at a regional?

Just trying to get a feel for the opinions out there.

Overall it is a good job but not great especially attaching yourself to the bottom of a relatively young pilot group. The pay is decent but the benefits are sub-par. I know I'll be crucified on here for saying that but it's true.

Our retirement is at 10% vs an industry average of 14%. Many carriers get profit sharing on top of that. If you are 35 or so you will miss out on well over a million dollars, probably more like 2 million.

If you go out on disability you have 5 years access to medical (18 months of which will at COBRA rates of $1500 a month if you have a family) and then nothing.

Right now there are very few job protections in the event of a merger transaction. Also no scope at the moment either.

It's a pretty divided group right now as far as the desire for representation. In the almost 9 years I have been here I have only flown with 2 guys I didn't care for. It's not a bad place but most likely be a stepping stone for many.

 

[rjpilot7667]

ASA...... Come One, Come All....

Been here 4 full years.... Reserve 4 full years.... Who the h-ll knows what would happen in a merger?????????????

I am all for newbies coming on property! Take your chances and see what happens

Reserve for 4 full years???? interesting... I've been here a year and was only on reserve for 5 months. Don't paint a false picture. It's good, union or not.

 

[CaptainSpaz]

Reserve for 4 full years???? interesting... I've been here a year and was only on reserve for 5 months. Don't paint a false picture. It's good, union or not.

If you got the last slot into LGB before the music stopped in 2007/2008 then that is an accurate picture.

 

[BentOver]

Any recommendations for a guy with a perfectly clean record, all the boxes checked, all the minimums reached, former regional guy with, former Netjets, and has more than 5 or so contacts there.......

Any one have any other ideas other than get that profile in as soon as the window opens? PM if you want, or have any ideas... I've wanted to work at JB almost since they first started up. Seriously.... Unfortunately, by the time I became 'competative" hiring dried up and it became very difficult to get on compared to post 9/11-2006 timeframe.

Thanks

 

[kf4amu]

All depends on where you come from. Any regional, no matter how shiny the jet, it's a step up. Full time CA line holder with 52 weeks vacation....its still a step up.

 

[Longhorn]

Been here 7 years. The above advice is good. Coming from a regional, a step up. Upgrade and reserve times are changing by the day with new aircraft deliveries. Just flew with a 320 FO who sat reserve for 5 months in JFK. Guy in his class got LGB by some random chance but he lives there so he is happy. First 2 years will be break even years financially speaking at best. After that the pay and schedules are better than any regional. E190 growth is in Boston and A320 Growth is in NY. Maybe some more west coast flying soon but nothing has been announced quite yet. Although things for the most part are ok, there is still a lot of progress to be made and a CBA would have made that much easier. Like the above said, coming from a regional you will be mostly happy. Coming from the mil you will be mostly happy. If your were at a major before then don't expect things to be any better. There are still issues with benefits (medical, retirement etc) that need to be addressed. Just my 2 cents.

 

[mejorgy]

Reserve for 4 full years???? interesting... I've been here a year and was only on reserve for 5 months. Don't paint a false picture. It's good, union or not.

Dont tell me to paint a false picture......... If you are not based in JFK or BOS life is probably good for you....YAY...Sounds like you are already one of the guys who "HAS HIS" Come on out to one of the smaller bases and see what your senior brothers and sisters have to say. I will be happy to bid back and sit mucho senior to you. Enjoy working EVERY HOLIDAY...
I chalk your post up to being young, naive and dont really know sh!t!!!!!!!!!!!1