Back to the original question,
I just got hired at JB for a Feb05 class. I put in my app about 1.5 years ago and kept updating it once every few months early on, then about once a month this summer as things got uncomfortable at my current carrier. I received a call for the phone interview back in Sept. Interviewed in Oct, in Phase 2 for about 7 weeks, and just called last week for the offer.
For the record, I am a white male from regional ranks. And from a look around the room at the other applicants the day of the interview at NYC, the post above about minorities only is completely unfounded. It seemed to me JB didnt seem overly concerned about the ethnicity of their crews, only their qualifications and personalities.
As far as JB surviving the next 2 years, all signs point to them being one of the carriers best positioned for growth. They'll have 200+ airplanes by late 2008 with options for another 200. They may lose some $ this quarter but nothing like most of the others out there. JB pays for airplanes, all are still under warranty. The key to keeping expenses low for them is continued growth bc a new airplane brings the average cost down by averaging an older airplanes cost with the new one's. Everyone Ive talked to about the E170 has loved the airplane, so I would imagine the E190 would not be considered junk.
No one should buy stock based on its share price. Yes, JB stock has lost a substantial part of its value over the last year, but I believe its investors general wariness of airline stocks in the current environment.
Someone made the comment about JV vs World Champs. Ive always thought of SWA as Walmart (biggest, largest LCC) and JB as Target (more upscale, good value, not quite as in your face). I mean these comparisons in a good way, nothing to slam any airline.
Hope this helps the thread starter.