Jet Blue Pilot Contract

[Hose A. Jiminez]

Hose- it's Boxster and it has been credited for turning Porsche around financially.

Thats because enough people were willing to dump 48k on a piece of chit that said Porsche on it.

It rattles and parts start to break faster than a Pontiac Fiero. Now there was a fine piece of machinery.

 

[Dizel8]

So Hose, you got wirewheels and curbfeelers on your Fiero? Bet that is a fine looking machine

 

[Hose A. Jiminez]

Its got front, back and side to side.

 

[Dizel8]

Dang, that Fiero sounds Biiiiiiiiiiitching!

 

[colorado418]

Re: jetblue contract

If their intentions are so good, why do they need their pilots to sign an employment contract?

I think that you don't become a millionaire by being naive. David and Dave know that even in a world class organization, there is still a 10% bad apple hire factor. Yes, even pilots are included in that. There needs to be a structure around which we operate. Our contract though is about as thick as section 25 alone from my last job. That should say something.

I don't really think that I need to defend jetBlue management. Their actions speakk for themselves. We were just told that there was going to be a small token of thanks given out to all the employees of the company for the work we did during the black out. When was the last time that happened at other places.

Oops, I used to work at Allegheny and we did get a great tin of cookies from Airways. I looked forward to getting it. Then one day I opened my "cookies"..... It was a chunk of Cheddar cheese. I liked the cookies better....

 

[yaks]

jb pilot contract

There is nothing to stop them from firing the bad apples without the contract. And no you don't need to defend your employer since the position is indefensible.

 

[General Lee]

As far as Delta being "late" into the LCC arena, atleast they are trying. Song was created to fight against Jetblue primarily---knowing that they had a good product. To say that Jetblue will not be affected by Song is ridiculous. Currently Jetblue attracts a lot of passengers from all around the NYC area and boroughs---but Song will have the same fares and supposedly better entertainment from all 3 NYC airports, which will make a difference. We shall see, but Delta is the only Major to really see this threat and actually do something about it that might work. When all 37 757s are up and running with the TV system (in OCT or later?? I don't know when.....)---then we shall see how it affects Jetblue and the others.......(Delta is saying that we are doing well at Song---and they are the ones with the books...)

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[JayDub]

Yaks,

Please read my previous post. It would cost my company a whole lot more to replace me than at many airlines. They have zero financial motivation to get rid of me. How many other places of employment is that true of?

respectfully,

JayDub

 

[Heavy Set]

Southwest and Frontier TV Systems Coming

Watch out for Southwest if/when it installs TV systems in its airplanes in the future. I have heard that Southwest intends to "neutralize" the entertainment advantage that JetBlue provides... Frontier is also supposed to be adding TV/entertainment systems on their Airbus aircraft as well... Pretty soon, it will come down to price and frequency when all LCCs and Song have similar entertainment offerings...

Nobody wins a price war... Delta, however, can subsidize its LCC offering with international-route profits. I bet Song will grow to 70-100 757s flying around the country eventually. It will be interesting to watch...

 

[Skank]

Frontier is adding Live TV equipment (installed by Jetbue). As to Southwest, I haven't heard what their plans are.

 

[General Lee]

HeavySet,

I don't know if we want all of our mainline 757s at Song (we have 120 total), but that might be what really happens. Of course, we might add some heavy MD-11s to Song to saturate the market---that would be interesting indeed!! Let's also hope for some eventual profits while we're at it.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[jointops]

I may despise myself for getting in my .02 worth, but here goes.

Yaks,

As for your concern about our contract and the management's options to release us after 5 years:

Having been an Alpa member and now at jetBlue, I honestly feel our pilots as a whole don't feel threatened by potential "acts" by management. It comes down to the platinum rule: Treat others the way they expect to be treated.

You approach the attitude that getting rid of the bad apples is a bad thing. Since when is that ever bad? Regardless of the management team and the product offered.

As a professional if I behave according to my profession, morals, values, etc. then I have nothing to be concerned with when 5 years rolls around.

We are all treated as a valuable member of a family. I can't say I ever felt that way at US Airways. Having been furloughed, I didn't gulp the kool-aid at JB either. I was licking wounds and skeptical at best.

Having been here for almost 18 months, I can now honestly say my loyalty goes up the chain of command. Most pilots at JB feel the same way.

I'm not certain why there is such animosity towards JB pilots not being union or the perceptions as sell outs, etc. Everyone tries to provide for their families and makes the best choices when life dictates certain paths.

Constantly making judgments without walking in the shoes of others is a dangerous, slippery slope.

I usually pride myself on keeping my posts informative and helpful. I try to be encouraging and positive to inquiries about JB and the interview process.

I apologize for ranting, but I'm on reserve today and had the time to vent frustrations.

JayDub,

How are the girls getting along?
Happy landings

 

[JayDub]

Ops,

Hopefully I'll have a full house Thursday! Thanks for asking.

JayDub

 

[yaks]

jointops

Maybe my post was not clear or you are misreading it. I have no feelings one way or the other as to whether you should be union or not. My most recent point is that YOU DO NOT NEED AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT TO GET RID OF A BAD APPLE! The company need only to call the guy in and fire him. My 2 bigger issues with the concept are that: 1) guys sign a potentially life changing document with huge implications without even reading it or having a lawyer explain the contents, and 2) guys are thinking that things will always be just like they are today and that is never true, especially in the airline industry. Things are looking great for JB and I can tell you that a few years back no one thought EA would go out of business, or that AA would be near bankruptcy or that UA would be in bankruptcy and struggling to emerge. The decision to sign this contract has pretty much taken away your options forever since as I understand it the contract renews after 5 years if neither party opts out. That means that in 20 years the airline could set your wages at 36/hr fo and 72/hr captain (if I remember correctly from the previous post) since that is what the contract states. And you have no recourse.

 

[jointops]

Yaks,

Aha, I must have misinterpreted your comments then.

The issue about management dealing in something other than an "honorable" manner just isn't an issue.

Our CEO, President and 6 officers of the company teach a Principles of Leadership class to supervisor, managers (to include pilots).

They focus on the 5 principles JB strives to attain with people in those positions.

1. Communicate with your team
2. Treat your people right
3. Do the right thing
4. Encourage initiative & innovation
5. Inspire greatness in others

These may sound cheesy, but as long as this management team is at the helm, no one is concerned about them arbitrarily decreasing our wages.

It's all good, yaks.
Happy landings