Jet Blue PIC

[flynsafe]

Jet Blue minimums state 1000 PIC turbine. Can anyone tell me if that is FAR Part 1, and do they have a conversion factor for military time? Thanks.

 

[Jeff G]

I don't have absolute knowledge about this, but I think you can safely assume that JB is looking for FAR Part 1 PIC time. Part 61 time just isn't indicative of command experience. There is no conversion factor for military time. That's because JB dropped the mins last year to better accommodate military pilot applicants. Military pilots are very much desired at JB in order to provide a good mix of flying backgrounds among the pilots, so you'll get a fair shake.

 

[flynsafe]

Thanks for the info.

 

[falcondrivr]

guys,
another qual to note is that they want 1000 hrs in aircraft over 20,000 lbs. this kills me; ive got almost 3000 hrs in Falcon 10s (19300 lbs).

 

[mar]

I'm wondering about this too

Does anybody know how firm this requirement is?

I have no jet time but 3000 hours in the SA227 (16000#).

 

[Jeff G]

Mar,

It's *real* firm. As far as I know, there have been no exceptions. JB is not exactly hurting for applicants. Sorry, man.

 

[bravo]

pic over 20,000#

Would like to verify that on the 1,000PIC over 20,000# Jet Blue is very firm?

 

[Jeff G]

No, there's no requirement for 1000 hrs PIC in a/c over 20,000 lbs, so it can't be firm. There are two 1000 hr requirements:

1000 hrs turbine PIC in airplanes
1000 hrs in airplanes over 20,000 lbs max TO wt

Don't confuse the two. It's possible to have 1000 PIC in Caravans and 1000 SIC in SF-340's and meet both requirements. How competitive (or not) that makes you is another question.

 

[bravo]

Thanks Jeff G. for the clarification on the 1000HRs over 20,000#. It appears from a previous post you made on this 20,000# requirement, JB is sticking to the 1,000HRS. Any feed back on people not quit meeting the 1,000HRS, but having an overall fairly competative resume i.e. 121 experience, lots of turbine and jet time.

I know 2 furloughed guys from my airline that interviewed in Dec. and are keeping there fingers crossed for the good news. Quit an impressive operation from what they tell me.

Appreciate the info.

 

[Jeff G]

Sorry, guy. From what I understand, if you have 999 hrs, you might as well have 0. The cutoff is arbitrary, but firm. In all honesty, there are so many applicants out there with so much more experience than the minimums, it doesn't make sense to make the minimums "fuzzy". I heard that the latest interview group of former airline pilots (excluding military, etc.) was made up of nothing but pilots with significant time in the Airbus. There were so many qualified applicants that the cutoff had to be made according to how much time *in type* they had. And of course, they all had significantly more than 1000 hrs PIC and 20K+ time. So at this moment, it doesn't matter much whether you split hairs to eke over the edge. It's humbling how competitive it's gotten.

All that said, do NOT give up. You just never know how the selection process will pan out next month, or what criteria will make the difference. This is still a very young company, and they're still trying to hone the process. It's very much a work in progress. Besides, it doesn't cost you a dime to apply, or to update. It's probably worth your time. Good luck!

 

[bravo]

Thanks Jeff G for your information. It has been very helpful. Application is on file and will see how it all shakes out.

 

[mar]

More thank to Jeff G.

Thanks for shedding a little more light.

Fly safe

 

[ultrarunner]

No, there's no requirement for 1000 hrs PIC in a/c over 20,000 lbs, so it can't be firm. There are two 1000 hr requirements:

1000 hrs turbine PIC in airplanes
1000 hrs in airplanes over 20,000 lbs max TO wt

hmmm, then it appears there has been a change from last year when I was called for an interview with JUST meeting the 1000 pic turbine, and zero time in a/c over 20,000lbs. Additionally, no 121 time, 7000+tt, all corp/135, and three type ratings...just fyi.

BUT that was last year...now, I suspect if they wanted to throw in Airbus experience, they could still fill the classes...

 

[JayDub]

Ultrarunner,

I remember you going through the process right before I did. The people that would call you for the interview were contracted by jetBlue, so the quality was some what of a crap shoot. Therefore, you just weren't asked about the 20000# requirement. This is now done by jetBlue employees. Also, they did not have a 1000 hr. PIC requirement at the time. So, in short, yes the times are indeed different.


JayDub

 

[ultrarunner]

Well, then I guess it's good I didn't get down there, only to find out I didn't qualify for the position.

 

[AlbieF15]

As long as we are talking "firm" times, that also includes 100 hours (I don't know if it has to be PIC) in the last 12 months. No requirement on size of AC, however.

Some specific examples.....former F15 pilot on non-flying tour. Spends the time/money to stay current in light aircraft as CFI during the tour.....HIRED.

Former 141/C17, T37 IP on Pentagon tour. Not flying. Got call for interview. Prior to "final arrangements" to get him booked for interview date, Bernice asked "have you flown 100 hours in the last 12 monts?" When he said no, no interview was offered.

Part 121 FE for large, night flying, frieght operation. Plenty of military experience prior. Gets call, same as above reaction. FE time did not count!

As for me--I think I will be very happy where I will be working. However, JetBlue looks like a great company and a fun place to work. The word is out--the qualified guys are all applying--so as Jeff G mentioned I suspect if you are *right on the ragged edge* of qualifications you may have a tough time.

Side note: Jumpseated home on an AirTran flight and heard a south Florida businessman pontificating on his choices for travel. He said "it used to be Delta, but they have gotten to be a *pain in the @ss* (his words...not mine). He said he used AirTran when able to get around the SE, and used JetBlue (his second favorite) to get to NY for business. As we've mentioned on lots of other threads, it does seem like the fresh young upstarts are starting to nibble market share away from the more established guys. Again---not trying to throw flamebait out here--just observing our changing business.

I'd also like to suggest everyone on the boards go out and FedEx a package somewhere to somebody they know.

Fly safe...

Albie

 

[trueblue]

Everything Albie and Jeff G writes above, of course, is right on target regarding jetBlue. Just to add to their points...anyone interested in the opportunity, do yourself a big favor, and get aquainted with their website: www.jetblue.com
Not only will it answer all of the minimums questions you might have, but it is extremely informative and easy to navigate. Yes, the minimums did change mid-2001. Yes, everything is published on the website, including the free pilot application.
BTW, Albie, check your PMs. Thanks.

 

[crjcap]

Im curious as to how long it takes to get called for an interview. I meet all the requirements, and am currently flying for a commuter to keep me current. (furloughed pilot here) I filled out my application in August, and still havent got any call for an interview.
Any help out there?

 

[Jeff G]

There's no way of knowing. Absolutely none at all. The pool is constantly shifting, and your place in the pool is fixed only when a snapshot is made to select interviewees. You have a certain unique mix of qualifications, and you can't say exactly which ones will matter when it's sorted out. You also don't know what the quals are for everyone else in the pool. So it's not random, but it's impossible to determine unless you know the contents of the entire pool and the exact criteria for selection.

FWIW, you're doing what you can to keep your quals up. Make sure you fill out the new app when it's finalized in the next few weeks. It will let you update online, too.

 

[backflip]

flynsafe,

Just got back from the Air Inc. conference in Dallas. They passed out an informational note that indicated that JetBlue does have a military time conversion factor of .3 per hour.

Good luck,
backflip