Jetblue: Lateral Move For Regional Captains

[JetFumes]

It won't be "rapid", but the Legacies WILL recapture a large portion of their pay and at least some of the work rules and will continue to be hard to compare jetBlue in terms of career earnings and opportunities.

JB is a great place, I just don't think it will ever be a CAL, much less a FDX or UPS.

I hope your right, it would be a refreshing change.

 

[Truckdriver]

JB is a great place, I just don't think it will ever be a CAL, much less a FDX or UPS.

It won't because it's an LCC. CAL will also never be a FDX or UPS. Neither will DAL or any of the other legacies. That is the reason why people are leaving JetBlue. They want to work for something other than an LCC. I didn't leave because it was a bad place to work, I left because I wanted to work for a legacy and not commute.

On a side not, if DAL makes an operating margin of 9% in 2007 and 2008 (they are forecast to make more than that), the hourly rates will go up a total of 12% by Jan 1 2009. By Dec 31 2009 they will be up by 13%. That would make 2nd yr 737 pay about $85/hr and 737 CA pay would top out at about $172/hr. I know two years doesn't seem rapid to some, but that isn't bad money in about two years. That's closing back in on SWA rates.

 

[Lear70]

It won't because it's an LCC. CAL will also never be a FDX or UPS. Neither will DAL or any of the other legacies. That is the reason why people are leaving JetBlue. They want to work for something other than an LCC. I didn't leave because it was a bad place to work, I left because I wanted to work for a legacy and not commute.

I could care less about whether my airline is classified as a LCC or Legacy, I care about stability, long-term survival, pay, time off, and benefits.

Everyone has different objectives, but I doubt the senior CA's at JB will make a jump anywhere,,, even to a CAL or FDX. They're too established and happy with what they have. Which may be one of the reasons why applications at the Legacies aren't reaching the huge numbers we saw in the last late 90's hiring curve...

On a side not, if DAL makes an operating margin of 9% in 2007 and 2008 (they are forecast to make more than that), the hourly rates will go up a total of 12% by Jan 1 2009. By Dec 31 2009 they will be up by 13%. That would make 2nd yr 737 pay about $85/hr and 737 CA pay would top out at about $172/hr. I know two years doesn't seem rapid to some, but that isn't bad money in about two years. That's closing back in on SWA rates.

DAL would make a great career, as would CAL.

AMR will be hiring next year and would probably be a decent move as well. Still not sure about NWA or UAL, and I'd write UAir off completely unless you wanted to be an F/O for about 15 years.

 

[Truckdriver]

Lear 70,

I'm with you 100%. I think those who are leaving Jetblue are doing so because it means not commuting into JFK for most of them. I also think UAL would be a good place to work if you live in one of the hubs. If you live in BOS or within an hour of JFK, JetBlue is a great place to go work.

 

[feitinger]

Lear 70,

I'm with you 100%. I think those who are leaving Jetblue are doing so because it means not commuting into JFK for most of them. I also think UAL would be a good place to work if you live in one of the hubs. If you live in BOS or within an hour of JFK, JetBlue is a great place to go work.

They're not gonna treat you as good as JetBlue though. Something to think about. But if JetBlue's longetivity scares you then not a good place for you.

 

[Truckdriver]

They're not gonna treat you as good as JetBlue though. Something to think about. But if JetBlue's longetivity scares you then not a good place for you.

I don't know about that. I felt I was treated just as good at the regional that I came from as I was at JetBlue. I don't need to be cuddled by the chief pilots and have the CEO show up at my house for a BBQ to feel like I'm being treated good. JetBlue was a great place to work, but there are other airlines out there that can be just as great if not better places to work depending on your situation. Not commuting for me will just about make up for anything that my new employer can throw my way, so I think I'll feel like I'm treated better just because my life will be easier. The one thing I will miss is the PTO/PTS policy. JetBlue has that one figured out. Also carrying around all my manuals again is going to suck. Those electronic manuals were nice!

 

[hindsight2020]

If it was me I'd keep the regional CA slot. No commute, senior schedule, alright money, known product. Income potential is such an opiate, it's total hogwash. People slave over for decades under the premise of income potential; I can't take that to the bank next month, when I need it....Increased QOL under a known proven schedule, 80K/year (for sake argument) and no commute trumps the "potential" of an extra 30-40K (not even actual money mind you) attained by volunteering myself off the seniority list and going back twofold in QOL, not to mention the competitive and saturated nature of the game..... to each their own,... but one in the hand brother....

 

[Lear70]

I just couldn't see it. I was working for a regional that was only giving us 12 days off, barely commutable, sometimes 14 off but they WEREN'T commutable, wasn't going to move to domicile, and made $78k including per diem my last year there whoring myself out at 90+ hours a month.

Made the jump to AAI based on quick upgrade potential and not too bad of a 1st year pay cut. My 1st year W2 was $47,5k including per diem. Yeah, that hurt.

2nd year will be near $60k. 3rd year will be $68k, not including the likelihood of a new T.A. with a 15% raise in those figures. 4th year I'd break even, 7th year be total even money for the move, NOT INCLUDING upgrade (which I should do in Year 4 by current projections).

At the same time, I'm flying 75-80 hours a month, getting 17-18 days off a month, ALL commutable, and have it MUCH better than where I was.

It was worth it, even if I don't upgrade as soon as planned, based solely on the days off and commutability.

To each their own...

 

[MalmsteenFan]

End Of Message

Linepilot, awesome thread/drama starter! Keep them coming!