Hows JB's LGB base going?

[RocketRob]

Question for the JetBlue Guys,

Hows the LGB base going? Are the trips good/bad? How many crews are based there? Do you have a chief pilot in place already? How senior are the pilots based there? Any chances for a newbie to be based there? I have a few more questions if you don't mind PM'ing me.


Thanks

 

[colorado418]

I am not based there, but I can answer a couple of the questions. About 30 crews or so. There is a chief pilot there. Went fairly senior, at first but there is a good spread. I think that a new hire could expect it with out too much delay. I will let the more informed, I.e those based there finish on the trip types...

 

[skirt]

I'm a new hire waiting to get LGB. My guess is 6-9 months, hopefully not more. However, with only 30 crews it will begin to get more senior. There is talk of expanding it down the road, but the base just opened so it might be a while.

Skirt

 

[banger]

LGB life is good!

The LGB base has been outstandng. CP Capt Andrews has done a really nice job setting everything up including the new lounge. The commuter guys have a fantastic crashpad set up at the Oakwood executive apts. Shuttle service between LAX/SNJ/LGB. Right now I see 38FO's assigned however some are on MIL leave. 23lines in Dec with 5reserve.
Trips are a good mix. Average productivity per day is 5.95hrs with average line credit at 80.5. That works out to about 17.5 days off per month.
As far as seniority junior FO is close to #600. We have a good mix with some really senior guys at the top and junior guys at the bottom. If someone new wanted in at LGB I think Skirt's guess would be accurate.
THere is a dedicated employee parking lot close by with 10minute shuttle service. I cannot think of anything else that Capt Andrews could do to make it better than it is. A really sweet place to come to work!
Fire away with anymore quetions.

 

[General Lee]

Banger,

Do you think Jetblue will expand with more flights to/from LGB when the city will only allow you 41 slots? When you say you will expand there, do you mean that more trips will originate and end from LGB? And, when do you start BOS-LGB?

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[banger]

Banger,

Do you think Jetblue will expand with more flights to/from LGB when the city will only allow you 41 slots? When you say you will expand there, do you mean that more trips will originate and end from LGB? And, when do you start BOS-LGB?

Bye Bye--General Lee

The LGB base could increase the amount of pilots based there without adding anymore slots by shifting some flyng from JFK to LGB. Now that said, I'm not saying it will happen, just making a point. Remember that the slot limitations at LGB are not FAA mandated like LGA but controlled by the City of Long Beach. Some Long Beach citizens are against growth and againt adding slots. Others are for growth and would like to see Long Beach break out from the shadow of LA and become a metropolitan center of its own. If you have'nt been downtown Long Beach in awhile you would be suprised by the incredible development going on there. Our City has elections coming up and it wouldn't suprise me to see a shift in the council and how they feel about growth. I don't know if it will happen but politics are funny that way you can never say for sure.
Don't quote me but believe the plan for BOS is to start west coast flights right away and that would mean LGB. I know the company ran the numbers for using the A320's during the winter and that would require occasional capping of the number of pax due to headwinds.
Thanks for the cobra - Banger

 

[General Lee]

Banger,

So, you are a current furlough? Well, I think you made a good decision. Hopefully we will get better one day and it will be a hard choice for you whether or not you want to come back. I have always wanted the best for you guys, and I hope you are happy. The cobra is the least we can do for you guys, and I mean that.

As far as the city of Long Beach giving more slots, if they do---do you think they will allow other competition? I know AA put up a stiff fight (even though they weren't filling the seats from JFK etc on some flights), and I bet Delta would love to have three or four slots---probably give half to ASA/Comair to fly 70 seaters to DFW. You know how that goes.

If you haven't noticed, I like to give the Jetblue guys krap, but it is all in good fun. I think it is a very well run company, and I hope you enjoy it. Take care.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[banger]

Banger,

So, you are a current furlough? Well, I think you made a good decision. Hopefully we will get better one day and it will be a hard choice for you whether or not you want to come back.

As far as the city of Long Beach giving more slots, if they do---do you think they will allow other competition

If you haven't noticed, I like to give the Jetblue guys krap, but it is all in good fun. I think it is a very well run company, and I hope you enjoy it. Take care.

Bye Bye--General Lee

Yes, one of the original 400. I've always appreciated the great way the pilot group at Delta treated us. It will be a very hard choice. I tell people who ask that flying with the Delta pilots was just as much fun as flying with JB pilots. Only difference is the level of trust in management.
As far as additional slots, the limitation is in place for noise concerns. The field has sound monitors placed all over and studies are ongoing as to how quiet each airplane is. If additional slots are added I'm sure Delta will get an equal number a slots for ultra-quiet A320's take care.

 

[JayDub]

Part of the process of getting more slots in LGB is the amount of noise over the course of time (a year, I think). A huge hindrance to this was the Super 80s AA was flying in there. Part of the agreement the two airlines reached with the city accounted for AA phasing out the 80s, which almost assures more slots. Those are to be doled out according to the chart on the LGB Airport Authority's web site.

On a side note, I want to make a comment about the furloughees, hopefully without seeming out of turn. Remember the old saying "Don't judge a man until you've walked a mile in his moccasins"? I have never been furloughed (and would like to keep it that way), but I really like JetBlue's attitude toward furloughees. They have you sign a two year non-compete clause.

You have to admit, in a time of great pressure, it's pretty awesome not to have to forfeit something you've worked so hard for, for an unknown entity. I think you'll see some folks go back to their original airline after their two years are up, but I think it's awful nice those guys get the option. That’s unlike a whole lot of other places.

Respectfully,

JayDub

 

[General Lee]

I agree. I think it is really nice of Jetblue to allow Delta furloughs and others to not resign their seniority. Doing that shows how Jetblue cares about the pilots, and most will probably stay anyways. I wish we had more of that in this industry. What a lot of people don't think about is that every furlough has a family also, with concerns and heartache. Thank you Jetblue for allowing people to make a choice----one that will probably be in your favor anyways.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[CRF]

Spirit takes furloughees with no seniority number resignation and no non compete clause.