jetBlue Captain Pay?

[FlyDeltasJets]

Lear,

Thank for the advice. Perhaps you are new, but I mention LUV in almost every post I make about lccs. I will continue to do so. As for AWA, I'm pretty sure they are getting all they can with the finances of their airline.

UAL? If you don't mind, I'd prefer to use them as an example of where this profession is headed.

717,

Thanks for the defense! You hit the nail on the head about pay being lowered to lcc level rather than lcc pay being raised to ours. I'm afraid the trend has just begun.

P.S.
I have always tried not to post "flamebait". I'm sorry if you interpreted some of my posts to be so. They were not intended that way.

 

[dgs]

I didn't post specific capt pay rates because I wanted to specifically avoid the schoolyard "My p---ck is bigger than your p---ck comparisons." (paycheck... what did you think I meant?)

There is a lot more to compensation than the hourly pay. Our management made a decision to use things like stock options and profit sharing as a way to compensate us for performance. Their up front costs are lower, but if we make money we all benefit with HUGE profit sharing bonuses. (Hence, we get a pay raise every year we make a profit.) These other forms of compensation could make us by far the highest paid in the industry when we do a look back from the future. Stock options made some SWA pilots very wealthy. So far we are already exceeding SWA's performance in its early years. Only time will tell what it will all be worth in the future. If we work hard to continue to make the airline a success, the long term compensation could be incredible. Its a risk we take with a "new" airline, but one I gladly take.

Aside from money and benefits, the joy of coming to work at a fabulous company with management that "gets it" is priceless. High hourly pay rates mean nothing if your overcompensated management team drives your company to bankrupcy and/or you lose your job.

My money is on jetBlue and I'll be working hard to continue to ensure our profitability.

 

[embraerdriver]

Ride the wave....

looks like we will replace all of you with rj drivers......less cost, etc.

not my idea but look around you.....it's happening and quickly.

Good luck you'll need it!

 

[race#53]

Re: Ride the wave....

looks like we will replace all of you with rj drivers......less cost, etc.

not my idea but look around you.....it's happening and quickly.

Good luck you'll need it!

The smaller aircraft theory is not always the answer;
My relatively efficient experimental uses 10 GPH at 150kts and fuel costs alone are .20 per mile and i can only carry one passenger!!!
SWA and JB are in the .06 to .07 cent range for total costs and looks like heir way is the absolute cheapest way to get around.

 

[hngryflyr]

And I will third it. After being on the street hours after reviewing my "no furlough" clause, JB offers employment without a letter of resignation. Why? "We are confident that after working here you won't want to leave!" I don't, and I will go the extra mile here. Pay is good, the future is currently bright, and we enjoy it here. But it's the other forms of "compensation" that make this such a good thing.

embdriver...curious...how many apps have you filled out to graduate off you RJ? Good luck with your JB app...you will need it!

flydeltasjets...sorry, but you present yourself as extremely arrogant sometimes. You have good stuff somedays, then you ruin it with your blown up ego, kind of a stereotype that you and your brethren have created in our industry over the years. Like you are 5-5 or something. Talking down to the little people...shame on you. Maybe have someone proofread your posts, checking for arrogance and stupidity.

My 2 cents. Later dudes...

 

[Skank]

Embraer driver. May I suggest you read up on the RJ subject? I don't think you see RJ's hurting Southwest at all. They don't have a whole lot of effect on us either. Just read up on it, I don't want to rehash all that here.

 

[contrail777]

Serious question,

How many of the JB guys based in NYC actually live there? Is it hard to commute, say from RDU, given the relatively small size of the airline? I would not want to live in NYC with a JB salary...or DL for that matter.

 

[FlyDeltasJets]

hngy,

If you interpret what I do as talking down to people, then perhaps you need a lesson in reading comprehension.

I am simply pointing out industry trends that disturb me. You can ignore them if you choose. I hope you will continue to have that luxury, but I doubt it.

As for the rest of your post, you chastise me for the tone of my posts, at the same time calling me arrogant and stupid. Maybe you should worry first about your own posts? Out of the hundreds of posts I have submitted, I challenge you to find a single one in which I insulted anyone. Until you do so, perhaps you should consider that it isn't arrogance, but concern which fuels my posts.

For the record, your post was very insulting. Not that it bothers me, I'm used to it. Most people on this board, with a few notable and often impressive exceptions, would rather insult than have a rational debate. You are obviously not a member of that minority. I'm happy that I do not require insults to make my point. It's a shame that you do.

P.S.
I have apologized twice for hijacking this thread. It was not the place for this discussion, and I tried to bow out a few times. If the rest of you want to keep arguing, be my guest, but I'm going to try to keep out of it.

 

[AKAAB]

Contrail777,

I think we have a number of pilots that commute from RDU or CLT. I don't think it is too difficult. They may have to go into LGA, though.

I'm sorry I don't have any hard numbers to give you, but I'd venture to estimate that about 90% of the pilots are commuters to the JFK base. When I was based there, my crashpad cost me $235 a month and I spent about another $40-50 for taxi and shuttles. (I could have saved some cash if I had used the bus system, but it seems that I always caught a cold a few days after a bus ride.)

Many of our pilots don't even need a crashpad by bidding redeyes or paying for an occasional motel room.
Of course, while sitting reserve a crashpad is necessary, but there is no shortage of available beds.

I hope this helps. It looks like it may be some time down the road for you - according to your profile, but don't let the commute steer you away from a great career opportunity with jetBlue!

AKAAB

 

[jointops]

Contrail,

The majority of people commute into JFK. I'd hazard a guess at 80% as commuters.

AA, DL and US all have flights out of RDU into LGA using RJs. A couple of flights actually go into JFK. CO goes into EWR using 737s.

I have a buddy who lives in RDU and he commutes to FLL instead of dealing with the JFK issues.

That being said, he spent a lot of time this spring in his crashpad instead of being home. 2 legs, (1 being off-line) during spring break and Easter was tough. However, FL in the spring on the beach isn't too shabby either now that I think of it.


Happy landings

 

[Intruder One]

What I think is funny about all this is how on other threads MESA is bashed post after post for voting in the contract that was much lower than everyone else's.Say one thing about JB and you will start a flame in their defense.I sorry they are no better than mesa,just because they are the darling of NY does not excuse them.Mesa is the low sucking scum of the regionals and JB is the same of the majors.I'm just calling a spade a spade.

 

[Blue Dude]

Intruder,

Back out from under your rock? How was your winter hibernation? Baited any other flames lately?

BTW, as you are so fond of pointing out, JB isn't a major airline yet. In fact, didn't you say that it would never be a major? It will be in the next year or so, regardless, which isn't bad for a scum sucker airline.

Back in your hole, troll. Just calling a spade a spade.

 

[flyingitalian]

Now back to the originally scheduled subject:

Out of curiosity, how much of your time in an average month is paid at above 70 hours? How many days on average are you scheduled to work? If you have vacation does it count toward the 70 hours to get you to 1.5? How many days are reserves scheduled and do they have to fly 70 hard hours to get to the 1.5? How do you get the extra trips for the overtime, bid, first come first served, bride scheduling?

Just would like to know.

thanks

 

[Zmanav8r]

contrail777

I live in Havelock and commute from RDU. The drive sucks but out of RDU is real easy. There is over 20 flights a day between Eagle, Comair, and USAir Ex and the people treat you great. The only time I have had problems is bad winter storms, but still made it every time. Normally I end up going to LGA. About 1/4 of the time I get into JFK. I have been told that we will be going to RDU "within the next couple of years". Have heard that one before, but we'll see. About 10 or so of us come out of RDU.

Zman

 

[contrail777]

Thanks guys!

I am getting ahead of myself thinking about commuting. I start UPT this year, maybe in around 5 years. Hopefully, everyone will be hiring again by then. Also, JB will be flying to RDU

Go Pack!

 

[dgs]

Reality Check

contrail777 -- You better check your contract. One year at UPT plus a 10 year commitment is 11 years!!! Who knows what will happen by then.

 

[Eagleflip]

Contrail--

I'm racing DGS at this very moment to post, but I'll take seconds on this one, fellow Wolfpacker...

GET YOUR HEAD OUTTA YOUR BEHIND AND CONCENTRATE ON THE TASK AT HAND!

You're going to UPT? Well, you'd better have made your mental commitment to the Air Force by now or you will not make it in the military.

Trust me--you will enjoy your time in the Air Force, flying the best aircraft in the world with the best folks at your side.

Please don't look at the AF and UPT as a stepping stone to the airlines. Just go do the best you can for the right reasons, and the rest of your life will fall into place just fine.

And, if you still want to come on over to JetBlue when you've served your country with pride and distinction...we'll still be here.

 

[dgs]

Out of curiosity, how much of your time in an average month is paid at above 70 hours? How many days on average are you scheduled to work? If you have vacation does it count toward the 70 hours to get you to 1.5? How many days are reserves scheduled and do they have to fly 70 hard hours to get to the 1.5? How do you get the extra trips for the overtime, bid, first come first served, bride scheduling?

70 hours is the min guarantee. Hours usually range from 72 to 88 depending on your preference and the quantity of flying available in a month vs. current manning. You can bid min, average, or max credit per month with our bidding software.

12-18 days working. Guaranteed 12 days off. Our trips average over 6 hours a day. It all depends on seniority and your preferences. Most people work about 15 days on with 15 off. Senior guys can get over 80 hours in 12 days.

Vacation and PTO does not count toward bonus pay.

Reserves still get a guaranteed 12 days off. The reserve min is 75 hours, so you get 5 hours of premium pay. It is rare, but possible to exceed the 75. Most reservists are probably getting 50-60 of actual flying.

For max overtime, bid "max sked" then try to pick up trips out of open time that keep you within the 30 in 7 rules. At the end of bidding there is a window to pick up open time--awarded based on seniority. After that it's first-come, first-served. I have no idea what bride scheduling is.

 

[skirt]

To all JetBlue critics,

The title of this thread does make me chuckle. Why does it always come down to pay? Sure, good pay is important, but there are a few things in life that are hard to put a pricetag on. No, I do not work for JetBlue. I don't have blue blood, or drink blue koolaid. Yes, I work for another outfit. Yes, my hourly last year was close to twice a JB captain (but getting smaller!), but I have to say, all things considered, they have a very good operation. The esprit de corp is downright phenominal, and the management has incredible business acumen combined with a good, ethical heart. How do you put a price on that? Just rode to NY on JB round trip. Passengers are happy, crew happy, not a bitch heard anywhere. I say good job. Would I trade places? Strong possiblity.

You've probably heard the saying "the fish smells from the head first". Most managements out there stink. I know a few that don't, and those are the ones making money with happy employees. Maybe the other majors will start paying attention to what JB has, a good management that truly cares about their employees. How do you put a price tag on management integrity and honesty? Think about it.

Skirt

 

[Intruder One]

JB may not a major yet but is stll a scum sucking airline just like Mesa ,me crawling out from under a rock makes no difference.I know some of you think JB is above all that....sorry you're dogs just like them.Asked most of the pilots at Mesa they don't see anything wrong with what their doing either.