JetBlue- To go or not?

[BeachBummer]

how is the medical? Its something a pilot with a family needs to make a part of their decision

I've never heard anyone here say anything good about the medical. I don't use it, the wife's is much cheaper.

 

[say again]

Are people seriously comparing AWAC to JB? Is JB considered a bigger regional to some?

 

[xjhawk]

its where they came from-how are they suppose to compare it to another national? If i ever go anywhere, I will compare that place to Mesaba. I am sure-I hope anything will be better. But I must say, I think our medical is pretty good.

 

[Ski-N-Fly]

JetBlue's medical compared to other major airlines.......


Health Care

 

[BentOver]

Thank god we are out of that dump. Ironically, awac stsys with us at our current hotel,.

new hotel is on the university of buffalo campus... Allll riiiiight.

Hate to rain on the parade, but no doubt it's on the UB North campus...Not much there. If its the Marriot they have a bar downstairs but it isn't as good as 10 years ago.....(been there dozens of times as a pre-gamer) Downtown Chippewa is where you wanna be on a thurs.-sat. trip.

 

[Limeyflyer]

Also we were at the spring-hill suites which only had a fridge and a microwave.

No longer the case, all new hires are at the Staybridge Suites, full size fridge/freezer, Microwave, Stove, Toaster, Coffee Maker. Free Breakfast. Free Dinner and Free Beer Tuesday - Thursday. Nice pool, workout room, outside BBQ area, business center.

 

[My Man SMITH!]

Are people seriously comparing AWAC to JB? Is JB considered a bigger regional to some?

I strongly disagree with anyone not accepting a position here that is at a regional. A 5 yr F/O who came from a regional and I surpassed my CA pay in year 2. This company has treated me with respect and my work feels appreciated. I've worked for two legacy carriers (not in flt ops) and the culture here is better. My experiences have been positive and I feel the future for this company is very bright. Best of luck to those wishing to join the JB team.

 

[3blade]

The medical is very expensive but pretty good coverage. For the most coverage for a family it costs around $283/per paycheck.

Crash: the October Pairings are loaded in PBS and has us changing hotels in BUF to the Indigo.

That's more than twice what I pay in premiums now. Guess I should stop complaining.

 

[UpNDownGuy]

Here is my composite answer to this thread:

1) If you are at a turboprop regional, JB is better.
2) If you are a FO at a jet regional, JB is better.
3) If you are a CA at a jet regional, it depends on your situation, i.e, seniority, longevitiy, base, size of your family, etc.
4) If you are aiming for a major, going to Kallitta, World, North American, etc will be better on your resume than right seat time in one of our small narrowbodies.
5) If your goal is to live/work on the east coast, JB may be for you. We have four bases on the east coast: JFK, BOS, MCO and FLL. Getting BOS or JFK in either plane is a no-brainer; MCO/FLL might take a little longer but is eventually doable for everyone. As far as flying, most of the 320 and all of the 190 flying are east coast.
6) If your goal is to live/work on the west coast, find another company. We have a tiny base in LGB and do very little west coast flying. That won't change for the foreseeable future.
7) If you have a large family, and JB would be your only health insurance, you might want to look elsewhere. Premiums are the highest in the industry, with some of the lowest benefits. Premiums increase every year, and will continue to do so. If you have alternative insurance (wife, military, etc) then JB might work for you.
8) If you come to JB, expect a decade or so in the right seat. More, if you want to have a decent schedule when you upgrade. Aircraft orders/options have decreased every year since 2006, including our latest "order", which actually reduced firm orders and options, and pushed deliveries even further into the future. Coupled with our very young pilot group, and things are pretty stable here. Expect aircraft sales to outpace deliveries for the next five years or so.
9) You can do pretty well in the right seat here, especially if you live in base and are extremely flexible. I am flying with a 5 year FO that is using his seniority to double-dip every chance he gets, and will make over $120k this year. He is in the top 2%, and is playing the game well, but the opportunity is there.
10) The one intangible is job security. At JB, you won't have any. We have no scope, no merger/successor protections, etc. If you are fairly young, that's probably a good gamble. Even if the worst happens, and we are bought and then on the street, you'll have options. If you're older, you might want to think twice. Unemployed at 55 is not a pretty picture.
11) The 320 has a pretty gentlemanly schedule, except for the day sleeps/redeyes. The 190 is regional flying. Expect 4+ legs/day, with multiple aircraft swaps/bag drags.

 

[BeachBummer]

I'll give a +1 to the above post. Especially #10. Although, as for #11 I've never seen more than 4 legs on the 190. I'd say the average is 3. You will get board of HPN, RIC, and PIT pretty fast...