Jet Blue Aircraft and Bases

[CaptainSpaz]

Like he said, those upgrade times are right now. I was hired in August and I hope to see 190 CA 5 years from now and the bus in 10 or 12. Of course, 10 years from now a lot will change, so who knows.

S.

That is about as realistic as it gets. I hope folks who are trying to get a job here aren't still being fed a line that says otherwise.

I was flying with a senior 320 captain the other day, and as a sideline to another conversation we began talking about upgrades. He tried to convince me that 320 upgrades would still run 5-6 tops. Of course, after talking about it a bit more, it turns out he also thinks that we lost 100 Bus captains to attrition last year, that most USAir guys would go back, and that fleet size was still growing at 2005 levels.

I knew pretty well when I was hired the reality of things based on my own research. I just hope everyone else coming in does, too. Just like the old disclaimer on every mutual fund prospectus: Past returns may not predict future results.

I am not trying to be negative here, BTW. Just realistic.

Spaz

 

[82spukram]

Spaz I think you are always negative....

The quick up grades are over, well atleast two to three years on the bus and if the 190 capt pay stays where it is then maybe that will trend towards 3 years but that is only because you can make the same if not more as a 320 FO. I still enjoy working at blue and think the worst case for people getting hired right now is that you will enjoy a good quality of life as an FO while we grow at 10% and increase the block hours on the 190 so pilot growth over the next year should be closer to 20% plus some attrition. Just my 2 cents....

 

[lookin4better]

Thanks for the positive comment M

 

[clickclickboom]

I have been at jb for 2 years

Held 190 capt exactly 8 months ago and am approximately 250 numbers away from holding junior captain on the bus.

There are approximately 50 320 capt upgrades scheduled in 2008

I am 9 guys away from line holder on the 190

Still 320 FO bidding 40% + or - in JFK enjoying trips that are 80% commutable on both sides with an average 16.3 days off per month.

December was 17 days off jan was 19 days off

In my opinion i will not hold the bus for a min of 4-5 years with another 3-4 years of reserve.

New Hire projections for upgrade in above posts seem accurate

 

[lookin4better]

the new terminal at JFK looks pretty nice!

 

[CaptainSpaz]

Good post, Mr. Spukram!

 

[commuterguy]

If a new hire were to get the A320 out of class, about how long would it take to get out to Long Beach? Would one be looking at a lengthy reserve once out there? Thanks.

 

[Whiskerbizkit]

Took guys in my class 9 months to hold LGB. They were on reserve for 2 months then a line.

 

[Guam360]

How hard is it to get a LGB base and will it be possible to upgrade within 5 years there.

sligo1,
read this post. He asked about upgrades in Longbeach, Longbeach, hello, upgrade there compared to BOS are along way off, anyone that works there could figure that out.

and what other times are there than reserve, if you upgrade as soon as possible , which means you are junior, guess what, you are on reserve, Say they get ZERO airbuses next year and you upgrade this year, wow, I think you will be on reserve for along time, but still a captain right?

 

[82spukram]

Assuming we get B1900 out of Long Beach then yeah 5 years sounds about right

 

[CaptainSpaz]

Assuming we get B1900 out of Long Beach then yeah 5 years sounds about right

:laugh:

 

[GuppyPuppy]

Unless things change dramatically you will not hold A320 captain in LGB until probably around year 8 or 10. That's a conservative estimate.

The problem there is that the LGB flying cannot grow at all. Plus, there are plenty of young A320 captains already there who aren't going to transfer anywhere. Add to that the number of guys already on the property who will bid A320 captain in LGB and you will have a very long wait to upgrade in LGB.

Now, with that being said, there is talk of a satellite domicile in OAK. Not exactly sure how it would work, but that could increase west coast domicile flying which, in turn, would create more upgrade opportunities. Also talk of bringing the E190 out west (not sure about a domicile yet or if it will be BOS/JFK flying).

Wish I had better news for all those who want to be based out west.

GP

 

[TSA145]

Out of curiosity...

When new hires bid on aircraft; does the 320 go senior in the class or do people pick the 190 to get out of reserve faster...mix?

 

[donvag]

How are senior are day trips out of JFK on the E-190. Im going to the open house next Saturday and I am VERY interested in B6. A 20min drive down the Grand Central Parkway to work would be the best thing ever. Would not mind doing that for a LONG time. How long is reserv on the E-190?

 

[sligo1]

Hey Guam 360

Yeah I didn't see the LGB that changes the whole ball of wax- 15 could be very true to hold a line out there. Who knows my crystal ball crapped out when I came to work here.