B6 Hiring

[Ski-N-Fly]

I see a trend here too, the same 5 guys on here telling everyone how bad jetBlue sucks. I also see another trend in the cockpit. Almost every captain I fly with making close to 200K. Like I said, the place needs improvement, but its not ALL bad.

Almost every Captain you fly with makes $200K? Now that is funny stuff! Do they show you their W2's during the crew briefing? I've been here 8 years, am a Captain, and am nowhere near $200K. But then again, I am not an IOE instructor, not a "bot" guy, nor do I have any special deals with the company. In other words, I am just like most line Captains here......unable to hold holidays off, unable to see a summer vacation, and have the worst health care among our peers.

In no way am I attempting to dissuade anyone from applying to B6. But I do believe every one is entitled to hearing the facts. I also believe that in order for things to improve, this pilot group has to grow a pair and take matters into our own hands.

 

[Splert]

6 years from now these new guys will be wondering why they can't hold a single week in summer off.

Top 3rd in my base and was not awarded a single summer vacation slot.

I know just call in sick but the company has the new reliability report teed up and ready to be rolled out very soon.

That is how this place fixes issues.

 

[Flyer1015]

You said SFO. I didn't.

You wrote:

Not sf the bottom of the list commutting to reserve.

To me that sounded like you said San Fran. What else is sf? I took it as "not San Fran at the bottom of the list commuting to reserve."

 

[Smarta$$]

6 years from now these new guys will be wondering why they can't hold a single week in summer off.

Top 3rd in my base and was not awarded a single summer vacation slot.

I know just call in sick but the company has the new reliability report teed up and ready to be rolled out very soon.

That is how this place fixes issues.

I love all this talk about weekends off, holidays off and summer vacations. I guess only JetBlue pilots work on weekends and holidays. We should vote a union so we can all have weekends, holidays and summers off.

 

[B6Busdriver]

I see a trend here too, the same 5 guys on here telling everyone how bad jetBlue sucks. I also see another trend in the cockpit. Almost every captain I fly with making close to 200K. Like I said, the place needs improvement, but its not ALL bad.

10 years at the BJ and I have never made 200k. When i post my intention is not say JetBlue sucks but rather as to what the actual deficiencies are. I think most of us have done that. Some on this board don't deal with facts very well and get downright emotional when the reality of our current situation is pointed out.

Last I checked this is an anonymous message board and an outlet. Personally I can no longer recommend JetBlue except to those on the unemployment line. I have arrived at that conclusion using facts. Don't try to oversimplify things by saying it's not all bad or needs improvement. There are very severe flaws that needed to be addressed years ago with many more compounding as we speak.

I'm glad that you are on board for a CBA, we need everyone's support. I remember being a relatively new fo at a major airline wondering why all these senior guys were bitching. Let's try walking a mile in another man's shoes before we spout off on an emotional tirade. I now understand why those guys felt the way they did, my own paradigm has changed and I suspect over time yours will too.

 

[banger]

I see a trend here too, the same 5 guys on here telling everyone how bad jetBlue sucks. I also see another trend in the cockpit. Almost every captain I fly with making close to 200K. Like I said, the place needs improvement, but its not ALL bad.

Hey Mike;
JetBlue doesn't suck. You can make descent money here. You just have to understand what your getting. Mike, do you use JB's health care? If so what are you paying? Maybe your wife has health care and if she does good for you. That alone will save you over $10K/yr. How about retirement? Is your company 401K all you have? Mike how long do you think you will be on reserve? How long till upgrade? Will you break min reserve for pay anytime this year? Mike when you fly to the DOminican Republic do you get international pay? How about Aruba? When you land at 00:30 are you getting night pay?
All retorical questions because I know your not. JB just got rid of all downtown hotels to cut the budget by $3mil.
Mike I'm glad you enjoy JB. But it is not an airline like the real majors. The money can be there, And it was better before you came. My first profit sharing was $10,000. How much did you get last year?
Once again if you were beaten and abused by some previous regional crap airline then you will love it here, but if you know how good a real airline job can be then think twice before saddling up to this one. Especially if you don't have a previous military retirement or outside health care. Thats all I'm trying to get across to any new guys. Welcome aboard!

 

[MikeSF340]

I said they make close to 200k. $155x78=$12,090 + $155x12x1.5=$2790. $12,090+2790=$14,880 per month x 12=$178,560. That is a 6 year 320 captain averaging 90 hours credit per month. Granted, most guys I fly with are a little more senior than that, but it gives you an idea of what I mean. 90 hours a month is not killing yourself if you play with flica a little and it's pretty easy if you don't commute. Again, I'm not saying JetBlue is great, but to act like its the worst place to be is being disingenuous. Telling 98% of regional pilots not to come here is a joke, period. Its also funny that I see a lot of other airlines flying around on the weekends. I wonder if there are any pilots flying those planes?

 

[banger]

I said they make close to 200k. $155x78=$12,090 + $155x12x1.5=$2790. $12,090+2790=$14,880 per month x 12=$178,560. That is a 6 year 320 captain averaging 90 hours credit per month. Granted, most guys I fly with are a little more senior than that, but it gives you an idea of what I mean. 90 hours a month is not killing yourself if you play with flica a little and it's pretty easy if you don't commute. Again, I'm not saying JetBlue is great, but to act like its the worst place to be is being disingenuous. Telling 98% of regional pilots not to come here is a joke, period. Its also funny that I see a lot of other airlines flying around on the weekends. I wonder if there are any pilots flying those planes?

Mike
Hey I'm one of those guys. I made $200K last year. But I'm sorry you never will. I'll be suprised if you actually make the left seat in the next 10 years. And if you do you will languish on reserve for another 10. Glad you live in base brother. Look I got hired when JB had 400 pilots. SO did all those other captains you fly with. Look I don't see many JB haters here. All I see are experienced guys telling you the truth. If you only care about salary then JB won't be too bad for you. If you need health care and retirement then there are better places. Cops, firefighters, and plumbers have figured this out. If you could reach where I am in seniority then I would recommend JB to new guys. But where it is now I would not recommend the Blue to my younger brother or a friend unless he was retired military or had some other pension. THat said if you did the research and still wanna come here then "welcome aboard" and I will enjoy flying with you.

 

[SAABaroowski]

any JB guys leave for Spirit?

 

[MikeSF340]

I may or may not stay at JetBlue. I definitely have my eyes open and understand the reality of my situation. You are right, I will probably not make that much anytime soon, this is not news to me. However, I am not going to tell my friends who are mid seniority captains at regionals not to come here. As a 4 year FO at 90 hours per month thats about $105,000 per year. Not great, but a lot better than 99% of regional captains even factoring in our health care. Just because I would recommend JetBlue to a regional pilot doesn't mean I think it's the greatest place to be.

 

[SAABaroowski]

It's really simple to me. Hang out at Jblue making 100k getting A320 experience while trying to make it a better place while still having your apps out is a much wiser move than staying as a slave at a dying regional.

 

[banger]

I may or may not stay at JetBlue. I definitely have my eyes open and understand the reality of my situation. You are right, I will probably not make that much anytime soon, this is not news to me. However, I am not going to tell my friends who are mid seniority captains at regionals not to come here. As a 4 year FO at 90 hours per month thats about $105,000 per year. Not great, but a lot better than 99% of regional captains even factoring in our health care. Just because I would recommend JetBlue to a regional pilot doesn't mean I think it's the greatest place to be.

Thanks Mike
I think thats all the longer term JB guys are saying. This is not your long awaited dream job. Just a not too bad place to be if your furloughed or out of a job until a real career job comes along. Just don't get yourself in a bind where you took a pay cut to come here and then you can't leave when a better opportunity comes available. That is the case of the great guy I am flying with now. He wants to leave but can't accept a pay cut now for greater future opportunities.
And Mike if you fly with senior guys here who have it great, understand they don't want anything to change because it is so good for them. They will tell you we don't need a union. They don't but you do.

 

[banger]

It's really simple to me. Hang out at Jblue making 100k getting A320 experience while trying to make it a better place while still having your apps out is a much wiser move than staying as a slave at a dying regional.

Well maybe. You see jetblue management knows all about this. They are looking at snagging these underpaid abused guys because they make great (shall I say it "slaves") in jest. You do get a better job but not a good career. You take a pay cut to come hoping for a better life. You get it but then put yourself in a hole for a couple years. then you get better pay but when the opportunity to get a better job comes along you can't afford to take that paycut. So your stuck here. You sit right seat now for what looks like 10 or more years. Then what? reserve for another 10? Benefits suck, no retirement. And if you have a family member with special needs forget it!
THats the problem the guy I'm flying with now has. He took a leap of faith, now he's in a hole and can't afford to take another leap even when something great comes along. THis might work for some but not most. Just be careful. thats all I'm trying to explain.

 

[SAABaroowski]

I agree, however someone like myself is more fortunate, wife makes a hell of a lot than I do and probably ever will. Doesn't make it right, just easier for me

 

[oldxfr8dog]

Sitting in the hotel for 24 hours on my 6th day on. I get to go home after another transcon tomorrow. They stuck a 3-day on the end of my 4-day and Flica was no hope in improving that. I'm a lineholder, as if that matters. It's all about rsv coverage concerning sched manipulation. The only real time-off strategy is calling in sick and I'm sure that they're looking for a way to remove that option from us.
Insult to injury, this 3-day is only worth 10:41, due to the 24-hour layover. I'm just killing them on per diem!
10.25 years here. I don't live in base, I don't get Flica alerts, never even picked up an RSA. Picking up RSAs is enabling the company to grossly understaff us. Kinda like putting a bandaid on a sucking chest wound.
I've never come close to 200K, I just fly my schedule.
The work rule "efficiencies" are whittling us down, year-by-year.
Comparing W2s, 2011 to 2012, I made $8900 dollars LESS and made $325 bucks MORE in perdiem.
LESS money and MORE time away from home...
If you really NEED a job, come to JB. And keep shooting the apps out.
This is no long-term career position.

 

[banger]

Sitting in the hotel for 24 hours on my 6th day on. I get to go home after another transcon tomorrow. They stuck a 3-day on the end of my 4-day and Flica was no hope in improving that. I'm a lineholder, as if that matters. It's all about rsv coverage concerning sched manipulation. The only real time-off strategy is calling in sick and I'm sure that they're looking for a way to remove that option from us.
Insult to injury, this 3-day is only worth 10:41, due to the 24-hour layover. I'm just killing them on per diem!
10.25 years here. I don't live in base, I don't get Flica alerts, never even picked up an RSA. Picking up RSAs is enabling the company to grossly understaff us. Kinda like putting a bandaid on a sucking chest wound.
I've never come close to 200K, I just fly my schedule.
The work rule "efficiencies" are whittling us down, year-by-year.
Comparing W2s, 2011 to 2012, I made $8900 dollars LESS and made $325 bucks MORE in perdiem.

LESS money and MORE time away from home...
If you really NEED a job, come to JB. And keep shooting the apps out.
This is no long-term career position.

Thanks! THis is a very accurate description of the 10yr guy. Imagine what a 4-7 yr commuting life is like.

 

[banger]

I agree, however someone like myself is more fortunate, wife makes a hell of a lot than I do and probably ever will. Doesn't make it right, just easier for me

Good for you! You might be the perfect JB candidate. Hopefully you can live in base and get to see her. We have some fantastic Island layovers here. When you can bring her along she will enjoy it.

 

[Ski-N-Fly]

I said they make close to 200k. $155x78=$12,090 + $155x12x1.5=$2790. $12,090+2790=$14,880 per month x 12=$178,560. That is a 6 year 320 captain averaging 90 hours credit per month. Granted, most guys I fly with are a little more senior than that, but it gives you an idea of what I mean. 90 hours a month is not killing yourself if you play with flica a little and it's pretty easy if you don't commute. Again, I'm not saying JetBlue is great, but to act like its the worst place to be is being disingenuous. Telling 98% of regional pilots not to come here is a joke, period. Its also funny that I see a lot of other airlines flying around on the weekends. I wonder if there are any pilots flying those planes?

One can manipulate numbers very easily. You are talking about crediting 90 hours for 12 consecutive months. Again.......been here 8 years, I have Flica alerts, swap trips here and there when I am able, and have maybe reached 90 hours of credit once or twice during the year. The company's bid divisors are at an all time low (typically mid 70's), so unless you are in the top 20% of the seniority list, good luck with crediting 90 hours per month for 12 consecutive months! You are entitled to your opinion, but I am sticking with the facts.......most Captains do not make anywhere near 200K!

 

[MikeSF340]

I'm just relaying what I hear from 80% of the guys I fly with on the 320. Granted, most guys are not very junior. If you are awarded an 82ish hour line getting another few hours shouldn't be too hard. If you are looking for a 14.5 hour commutable 2 day, then you're screwed. Please understand, I'm not calling you a liar or discounting your experience. I fly with a lot of guys who credit that much time on average (or they just like to lie about it).

 

[ChuckDriver]

You sit right seat now for what looks like 10 or more years.

Could you tell me which major airline you can get hired at today and upgrade in less than 10 years?