Jet Blue Question

[sleepy]

I have a question for any of the JetBlue people here that may have an opinion.

I was offered an interview with JetBlue two years ago. At the time I had just completed training at ASA after being furloughed from another airline. I turned down the interview (big mistake with hindsight) because I felt obligated to give ASA at least one year, I did not want to commute to JFK from ATL (my last airline kept us out for weeks at a time and my wife was not too keen on my being gone for days at a time), and I was a little nervous about changing jobs after just being furloughed. I explained this all to the person from JB that called. She was understanding, and said that I could call back when I was ready to interview.

Now that you are in ATL, I think the commuting thing would be a little less difficult. JB seems to be doing pretty well. I'm ready to get out of ASA, and like everything that I have heard about how JB operates. Do you think I would be able to get that interview again, given how much has changed in the last two years? I have plenty of glass cockpit time, some heavy jet time, but only around 1000 PIC turbine time. I understand that they are now only hiring people with prior Airbus time.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[jointops]

Sleepy,

Well, first of all the ATL flying is a LGB-ATL route. Not anything into JFK or FLL from ATL. However, we have several guys who live down there and commute on AirTran and said they're great about jumpseating. First pilot gets the "jumpseat" and everyone else pays a nominal $25 I think to fly in the cabin. Man, now that I wrote that it may be the 2nd pilot pays the $25 and that may be their limit on off-line pilots.

Second, if you've kept up with the threads that specifically deal with JB hiring, you know we routinely post the truth vs. what the rumor is. The truth is we are not hiring only people with Airbus time. We have a selective computer program now that would select you to interview. Knowing someone in the company won't get you in for the interview either. Only when it comes to the LORs in Phase II does knowing someone inside the company come into play. The selection criteria across the board are designed to give equal credit to military, 135, 121, corporate, etc. Additionally, having an A/B type rating doesn't get you anything either (another rumor). They definitely want to see you have time in the aircraft if you actually have the type.

I know of several A/B qualified and typed pilots (most from US Air)who did not get passed onto Phase II.

Third, it won't ever hurt to put in the app, update monthly (since Dean and the hiring guys do the search about every 6 weeks), and maybe even drop Dean a line to remind him of your situation. He'll be honest with you and more than likely encourage you to press on with the application process.

Hope this helps and happy landings

 

[sleepy]

Thanks for the info. I'l' get the new app ready.