Jetblue or SWA

[skirt]

I have been flying for JB for a couple months and just received a call for a SW training date. I love flying for JB, but SW is a great company too. I feel lucky to be in the position I am, but the decision is a difficult one for me. What should I do?

You are indeed in a fortunate position, but I urge you to do all the research you can before making a decision. Once you do, then stick with it. On another thread (I think it was a ATA vs. Airtran) thread I gave another pilot a list of all the factors I could think of in comparing two airlines. JB, SWA (and Alaska) all have very similar "values" based cultures. If you passed the interview at both SWA and JB, then very clearly your values match the corporate culture of both. That is very important, because you want to spend your career at an airline where you "fit".

If you have followed this board for very long, you know that I'm a very firm Jetblue cheerleader, so take my opinion from that perspective. The business model at SWA has been very, very successful and will continue to be successful. I personally believe that Jetblue's business model takes the SWA model one step further.

If I were you, I would definitely stay at Jetblue.

Skirt

 

[Dizel8]

Like someone said, if you have to ask, while employed at jetBlue, go to SWA.

Best of luck in whatever you do, just do what is right for you and don't look back!

 

[Midnight Mike]

Sheesh, stay where you are, no need to jump ship.....

 

[IB6 UB9]

Kind of like dating two hot chicks that find out about each other. I'd stay here...but that is just me.

 

[climbhappy]

something tells me you like where you are. (JB) but your flattered with the offer. your playing mind games. stop it!

if you're that unsure about SW, then clearly stay where you are.

There is no mistaking certainty. if you were sure about SW, your thread would have started, " hey i got the call"

 

[swaforme]

Well there you have it.

I'm sure that all these post's have cleared it right up for you.

Like everyone else said, stay at JB, unless you think you'd like SWA better, then time to jump, unless jumping seems like giving up to much, then stay. Except if you would be better off leaving then time to go, or stay or....

Which paint scheme do you like best. That's always a good basis for airline decisions. Yes paint scheme's that's what I would go with.

Let us know the day you retire if you made the right decision. That's when you'll have your answer.

Good luck with the decision.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

What about that JetBlue non-compete agreement?

 

[skirt]

Not that I would advocate anyone leaving Jetblue (in fact, I personally think they would be nuts). However, the two year non-compete clause for Jetblue that all new-hires sign, precludes a return to their previous airline (ie. return from furlough). Since SWA has never furloughed, the non-compete would not apply in this case.

There is a question of morals about taking training from one airline, only to leave shortly thereafter for another, but I know people do it all the time. I guess that is why some airlines insist on training contracts. I know Jetblue didn't want to go down that path. I guess it was assumed that nobody would want to leave once they got hired. I know I don't. To each his/her own I guess.

Skirt

 

[SWA/FO]

Had a guy in my newhire class that left JBLU for SWA.

I'd say go with SWA. 10000 pilots/700 Aircraft by 2012.

Don't worry about "building PIC" for someday when you might have to look for another flying job.

Pick SWA and worry about where you want to live, not adding time to your resume. I think SWA has and will always have more pilot bases then any other airline - thus you will live where you want to.

 

[blahshmah]

There are no guarnatees. Nobody knows for certain if either company will be around in 30 years. I had the same choice at one time; for me it was pretty easy... JB. I know more folks that made the same choice (only know 1 that took SWA) but that is probably because of where I wear my hat... I mean don't wear my hat.

Hard to leave a place you love for a place you think you might love.

You are lucky to have such a great choice... good luck making a decision and don't look back. But really, I think your crazy to leave JB

 

[enigma]

I have been flying for JB for a couple months and just received a call for a SW training date. I love flying for JB, but SW is a great company too. I feel lucky to be in the position I am, but the decision is a difficult one for me. What should I do?

Willie, your question sort of implies that you consider both companys to be equal opportunities. I don't believe that to be the case. If I was you, I'd carefully study each carrier and pick the one that I felt would allow me the most stable (did I spell that correctly?) career. I personally think that both companies are in for some rough sailing in the next ten years, SWA must find a way to keep their people working like underdogs, and B6 will have to develop into a true nationwide carrier. Currently, SWA's model is still unique and it would seem that the only obstacle to their continued success would be keeping labor costs low. On the other hand, while SWA is not a true competitor to the legacy carriers, JB is competing directly and has managed to find a way to skim the cream off of the top. What happens to JB when they attempt to service more than just major population centers? I doubt that JB will be able to equal their current margins when they grow into a true national carrier. NYC is obviously a large market, but it is not the center of the universe. Looking at JB's route map, one would think that there were no people between NY and Denver.

Whatever you decide, I wish you peace with your decision.

enigma

BTW, please don't anyone misread my comment about SWA people working like underdogs. It is not demeaning to employees, nor accusing to management.

 

[Vince Neil]

WW,

Go back and read your original post.

"I love flying for JB, ....."

You may have already have the answer. Didn't Bear Bryant once say "dance with the one that brung ya"

Besides, look at David Lee Roth after leaving Van Halen.

Best of luck with your situation, dude.

 

[ILStoMinimums]

MIdnight Mike, your avatar is hilarious. Sorry - back to the subject.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

I'd say go with SWA. 10000 pilots/700 Aircraft by 2012.

I've heard this before and can only think about other airlines that have made longterm forecasts only to scale them back. Beyond 2 1/2 years out SWA's aircraft orders are mostly options.

Remember when SWA packed the pool only to let them sit for 2 years?

 

[dlredline]

. . . You may have already have the answer. Didn't Bear Bryant once say "dance with the one that brung ya" . . .

Vince,

One of the best all time quotes, but actually originated from Texas coach Darryl Royal in 1969. When asked by a reporter prior to the Arkansas game if he'd change his "wishbone" running attack to the more popular passing offense, Coach Royal replied that he was always taught you should "dance with who brung ya."

But I digress . . .

Red

 

[AK737FO]

Move on

If I were in your shoes, I would go to SWA. Look down range, 20 or 30 years... SWA's model works, it has been around a long time and will probably continue to be around.
JB is to new and shinny to tell. It could be the next great major or a flash in the pan.
I would take care of my future and my family and take the job that offers the best chance at long term stability. Even in the worst of times, SWA makes money, enough said...

 

[Falconjet]

LUV!

You have very little invested in JB and thus aren't going to give up much in seniority. In fact, being at the head of the wave for 04 and 05, you will likely gain seniority quicker at SW.

SW has a much more diverse and proven market, and is of course much bigger and has proven itself for a winner for over 30 years now. They are growing and poised to become the dominant MAJOR airline in the domestic market at any minute. I don't see how you can go wrong with SW given the state of the passenger airline market.

JB is a media darling, small startup company with a great workforce, equipment, and strategy, but they are unproven and thus there is much more risk. You will offset the slightly lengthier upgrade time at SW with the greater pay that they offer over the long haul.

All of these things could change of course, which is why the risk factor would play a larger role in the decision for me. Being naturally risk adverse, I would go with the "surer" thing.

Good luck and let us all know what you decide.

FJ

 

[Hose A. Jiminez]

Re: Re: Jetblue or SWA

while SWA is not a true competitor to the legacy carriers, JB is competing directly and has managed to find a way to skim the cream off of the top...

SWA is a direct competetor to "legacy" carriers in many markets. They have made fairly easy work of kicking the crap out of them most times.

JB has also done well against the so called "legacy" carriers, but has yet to face them in booming economic times.

Approach your delima as if you had not yet started at JB. Where would you go if you were on the street and received both offers?Thats where you should go. Forget about the "morals" involved in taking training from one company and leaving for another. Professionals in any other industry would laugh at that notion. Do what you feel is best for you.

 

[juan2go]

Willie Wonka

Has anyone heard a reply from the "author"?

Is he/she for real, or listed on the SWA Pool?

 

[TexaSWA]

He's sitting back laughing watching all the fish biting.