Jetblue: Lateral Move For Regional Captains

[Frank Lorenzo]

Why don't you have Ford and Harrison help you better define your values

Indiana Jones works for JBLU?

 

[GuppyWN]

Indiana Jones works for JBLU?

I've had dealings with Ford and Harrison. Trust me, it's not an action film you want to see.

Gup

 

[A350]

Why is going to a major airline a lateral move?

I will tell you why. In the "old" days, a pilot could be counted to work for a regional (commuter) carrier. When the opportunity to move up to the major carrier presented itself, it usually meant a payraise. Further, if it didn't, the loss of pay would be quickly recouped even under the auspices of the B scale.

Enter the world we live in now. We have regional airlines flying jets. Jets that are so large that they command payscales that amount to drastic paycuts for most regional pilots when they step "up" to the majors first year pay.

Sniping at JB though is just a personal thing. CAL first year pay is half what JB is. While the CAL pay quickly catches up it, complaining that JB is lowering the bar is the pot calling the kettle black.

I take it we won't see you wearing the blue. Good luck where you do decide to go.

A350

 

[Bob_Sacamano]

Well, I think I can speak with a great deal of authority on this subject. I worked at Comair for 6 years, and was a Captain on the CRJ for three of them. I worked for JetBlue for about a year and a half (flying the Bus). While I've since moved on to a much better gig, I don't think your post is accurate in the least. I'd that JB certainly isn't comparable in a lot of ways to the "real majors" (i.e. the ones actually hiring). But compared to my regional experience, I can state with absolute certainty that it was ten times better than being a Captain at a regional airline. The pay is ok to start (not abysmal like a regional), the benefits are pretty lame, but the schedule and quality of life are great. And while there is certainly a real need for union organization at JetBlue, it was still a good job and I was glad to have it.

If you really did work for JetBlue (and didn't get passed over for Phase 2), I can't believe you think it was a lateral move. I guess you didn't fly to Aruba or Bermuda like I did. Were you one of the guys who took the job, finished ground school, and bolted with your 9000 stock options before you really flew the line?

 

[thor2j]

"Sniping at JB though is just a personal thing. CAL first year pay is half what JB is. While the CAL pay quickly catches up it, complaining that JB is lowering the bar is the pot calling the kettle black."

Yes this guy(original post author) is an idiot, but your math is a little fuzzy. Your starting pay $47, CAL's $31. Don't forget while u r throwing out first year pays. UPS $33, NWA $30, UAL $32, US Air $25.

 

[Pilotbob3]

JB pay is $47 hour up to 70 hours....70.50 hour over 70 hours......First year!

 

[macdu]

Is that you Hair?

 

[Truckdriver]

"Sniping at JB though is just a personal thing. CAL first year pay is half what JB is. While the CAL pay quickly catches up it, complaining that JB is lowering the bar is the pot calling the kettle black."

Yes this guy(original post author) is an idiot, but your math is a little fuzzy. Your starting pay $47, CAL's $31. Don't forget while u r throwing out first year pays. UPS $33, NWA $30, UAL $32, US Air $25.

Don't forget to add DAL at $49. Lots of JetBlue guys in class at Delta lately. No paycut if you are on first year JetBlue pay and year two Delta pay will be better than year three JetBlue pay. I worked at Jetblue for awhile and it was a great place. I had a tough time making the decision to leave, but ended up doing it so I wouldn't have to commute. If you have the chance to go to JetBlue and you don't have FedEx, UPS, SWA, or DAL knocking on your door....go it's a great place.

 

[Frank Lorenzo]

I see it takes posting the first year pay of bankrupt airlines to make JBLU look palatable.

Anyone want to compare the pay, benefits, and retirement of solvent airlines like SWA, AA, UPS etc. to JBLU? How about advancement opportunities?

 

[Lear70]

Advancement opportunities at AA?

Are you serious?

Ummm... HOW long to make CA? SWA is creeping into the 10 year range for new-hires coming in today as well.

Not saying that jetBlue is the end-all be-all. I turned down the interview invite. Twice. Once from a Blue Dart, once from just an out-of-the-blue call from an app I hadn't updated in over a year, but I still think they're a great company.

Personally, if I have the choice when non-revving, if JB is just as easy to get from Point A to Point B, I'll take JB. TV for the kids is the BEST thing since sliced bread in air travel.

Have to agree, however, that comparing salaries to bankrupt legacies is a bit twisted. Our MEC has been doing that on this P.O.S. T.A. that came out... Did nothing but p*ss everyone off.

 

[Hair-on-Fire]

Is that you Hair?

just watching

 

[thor2j]

I see it takes posting the first year pay of bankrupt airlines to make JBLU look palatable.

Anyone want to compare the pay, benefits, and retirement of solvent airlines like SWA, AA, UPS etc. to JBLU? How about advancement opportunities?

Retirement at SWA????? Where?????
(401k doesn't count)

 

[sligo1]

Retirement maybe not, but a great profit sharing program and great wages. I think with the money you can make at SWA plus the profit sharing, you should be able to create your own retirement. If not a defined pension probally won't help either.

 

[thor2j]

Retirement maybe not, but a great profit sharing program and great wages. I think with the money you can make at SWA plus the profit sharing, you should be able to create your own retirement. If not a defined pension probally won't help either.

It obviously didn't help all the age 60+ guys. THey use to make much more then SWA and they couldn't save a dime. Now they want to stay on because of their poor planning and screw the rest of us.

 

[Hpilot]

"Sniping at JB though is just a personal thing. CAL first year pay is half what JB is. While the CAL pay quickly catches up it, complaining that JB is lowering the bar is the pot calling the kettle black."

Yes this guy(original post author) is an idiot, but your math is a little fuzzy. Your starting pay $47, CAL's $31. Don't forget while u r throwing out first year pays. UPS $33, NWA $30, UAL $32, US Air $25.

You forgot US Air is two seperate pilot groups. First year west is $39/hr. and yes we will be hiring off the street shortly.