The 190 pay was lower than I thought it would be. My friends that worked there seemed to think that the 320 rates would be increased 10-15% and the 190 would be adjusted accordingly. They thought it would be about 65% OF 320 pay.
I am a supporter of Jetblue, but this pay definitely "lowers the bar." I've heard time and again that the 190 isn't a regional jet, but it sure appears to pay like one. I was expecting about 90 bucks an hour to start, which is about half of NWA's DC9 rate (most of NWAs -9s are 100 seaters). As a matter of fact, a 2nd year FO on the DC-9 makes more than a EMB-190 Captain tops out at. Of course NWA is in concessionary talks now, but this payscale is much like a regional carrier.
It is good that the upgrade time will be quick, because I don't think morale will be high with FOs topping out at 50 bucks an hour or so.