JetBlue- To go or not?

[Whataboutbob]

So you think we're going to shrink for the next 5 years?

The webcast from the " Deutsche Bank Aviation Conference" on 9-13-2011 JetBlue said that they are taking 12 aircraft deliveries next year. (The webcast a week earlier said they were trying to get out of 3 of those 12, so I guess all 12 now).

Jetblue guy said that with those orders capacity would be up 5% next year.

The webcast from a week earlier Jetblue guy said that the 17 possible lease returns where in what he made it sound to be the 2013'-2015' time period. (On 9-13-2011 webcast jetblue said the 17 aircraft that leases come due are from 2013-2018).

I would say not shrinking, forsure growing the next few years. I know its a young pilot group on average but I would also guess some people would jump to a legacy if they/when they start hiring. I really don't think Jetblue will be in a furlough situation anytime soon (never say never).

 

[TommyG]

Prediction: JetBlue will purchase American in the next two years.

 

[mepilot1234]

My advice, if you are able to get on with Jetblue, do so. In the meantime pursue whatever your dream airline is, if you are able to get that job, great, if not, Jetblue is a really good place to work. You may be surprised to find out that you are happy at Jetblue. I've been at Jetblue for about 6 years, I come in, fly my trip, and go home. Make good money. Retirement is below par, as is the medical. But all in all, it is a great place to work.

 

[BAe3100FO]

Here is my composite answer to this thread:
If you are a CA at a jet regional, it depends on your situation, i.e, seniority, longevitiy, base, size of your family, etc.
.

And for me, the choice came down to overall QOL.

Right now I'm away from home 2-3 nights a week. Which allows me to spend more time with family/friends. I also get to coach a few youth sports teams, play/coach on a few adult sports teams, help out in community/church/volunteer activities.

I don't make $100/hr, but I don't need to in order to feel like my families needs are met. (although, this company will pay me that eventually)
I know my lifestyle and QOL won't stay the same in a few years, but spending time with young'ns while you can is more than worth it.

Which for me(and just Me) I consider that to me more important than say, "24 hour layovers in St. Lucia"

Like I and many others have said...hindsight in 20/20 and I'll let you know how my QOL is in 35 years.

 

[N813CA]

please if you have doubts coming here. Don't there are 1,000s of others that would give anythng to work here.

 

[n757st]

And for me, the choice came down to overall QOL.

Right now I'm away from home 2-3 nights a week. Which allows me to spend more time with family/friends. I also get to coach a few youth sports teams, play/coach on a few adult sports teams, help out in community/church/volunteer activities.

I don't make $100/hr, but I don't need to in order to feel like my families needs are met. (although, this company will pay me that eventually)
I know my lifestyle and QOL won't stay the same in a few years, but spending time with young'ns while you can is more than worth it.

Which for me(and just Me) I consider that to me more important than say, "24 hour layovers in St. Lucia"

Like I and many others have said...hindsight in 20/20 and I'll let you know how my QOL is in 35 years.

No worries man. To each there own. Your situation might be unique and family does come first. I think the vitriol in my argument came out because I can recall how poorly I was treated at AWAC, and brotha it pains me to think about it. I wish well for all the AWAC guys out there, they are a great group of pilots that once worked for a regional that had quality of life rivaling some majors. Those days though are indeed over. I remember pilots in there 40s like check airmen CS claiming that they were lifers at AWAC, and I shook my head then and I REALLY shake my head now, because I saw an airline on life support then and I see one in the trama intensive care unit now. Make no mistake, I would be shocked if airways renewed that contract. AWAC made some poor plays in the early '00s. They thought the 70 seater was a dead plane, and that their starategy of skipping that generation in favor or the 90 seater was the correct play. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but we can all see how many larger RJs that AWAC is operating. There is no ill will on my side toward any, I repeat any AWAC pilot. I was mearly trying to point out that as someone whose done both, there is no quality of life comparison between the two carriers. Your unique situation might lend itself to staying at AWAC, but I am guessing that if you had come here, comuting and all, you would enjoy more time off then you have now with greater paychecks and more enjoyable stay overs. But that is all speculative. I hope things continue to be good at AWAC. I hope you get to see your kids as much as possible, and I hope for every AWAC lifers sake that in 2015 business is better with another industry leading CBA that addresses some of the QOL issues that persist.

 

[Lake Alice]

The webcast from the " Deutsche Bank Aviation Conference" on 9-13-2011 JetBlue said that they are taking 12 aircraft deliveries next year. (The webcast a week earlier said they were trying to get out of 3 of those 12, so I guess all 12 now).

Jetblue guy said that with those orders capacity would be up 5% next year.

The webcast from a week earlier Jetblue guy said that the 17 possible lease returns where in what he made it sound to be the 2013'-2015' time period. (On 9-13-2011 webcast jetblue said the 17 aircraft that leases come due are from 2013-2018).

I would say not shrinking, forsure growing the next few years. I know its a young pilot group on average but I would also guess some people would jump to a legacy if they/when they start hiring. I really don't think Jetblue will be in a furlough situation anytime soon (never say never).

It is always very difficult to estimate growth at Jetblue because of lease returns. The company routinely touts large aircraft orders but after a little digging this last order indicates a net number substantially smaller than the order. It's keeps the fleet young but does little for growth. Speaking of growth the majority of our growth is frequency and not new destinations. Don't get me wrong, growth is growth but ours is different. As for the last round or upgrades it's arguable the majority of them were in response to operating extremely understaffed. It appears we are getting caught up so upgrades have slowed. Expect attrition to increase primarily with junior pilots if legacy carriers begin hiring. There are many factors affecting this but the main seem to be sub-standard retirement and health benefits which are better at other carriers and one other maybe the ability to upgrade and international flying. With such a young pilot group upgrades are solely tied to expansion and our international flying is being outsourced. All in all a good place to work but unlikely a career destination.

 

[Philo_Bedeaux]

American purchased TWA.... That worked out well!

 

[no1pilot2000]

In this tough economy, get the job and keep it till something better comes your way.

 

[SkiDawg]

No worries man. To each there own. Your situation might be unique and family does come first. I think the vitriol in my argument came out because I can recall how poorly I was treated at AWAC, and brotha it pains me to think about it. I wish well for all the AWAC guys out there, they are a great group of pilots that once worked for a regional that had quality of life rivaling some majors. Those days though are indeed over. I remember pilots in there 40s like check airmen CS claiming that they were lifers at AWAC, and I shook my head then and I REALLY shake my head now, because I saw an airline on life support then and I see one in the trama intensive care unit now. Make no mistake, I would be shocked if airways renewed that contract. AWAC made some poor plays in the early '00s. They thought the 70 seater was a dead plane, and that their starategy of skipping that generation in favor or the 90 seater was the correct play. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but we can all see how many larger RJs that AWAC is operating. There is no ill will on my side toward any, I repeat any AWAC pilot. I was mearly trying to point out that as someone whose done both, there is no quality of life comparison between the two carriers. Your unique situation might lend itself to staying at AWAC, but I am guessing that if you had come here, comuting and all, you would enjoy more time off then you have now with greater paychecks and more enjoyable stay overs. But that is all speculative. I hope things continue to be good at AWAC. I hope you get to see your kids as much as possible, and I hope for every AWAC lifers sake that in 2015 business is better with another industry leading CBA that addresses some of the QOL issues that persist.

A little late to the party but better late than never..........SM (yes, I know [Scary Movie!]), are you sure about all this or is there any "Blue Juice" involved? I am asking seriously because I am also an "AWACer" contemplating the move to JB (currently in Phase II), and I notice that you are very vocal on the matter, both here and on the Air Willy B Board...... Thanks