JetBlue- To go or not?

[detwilers]

ASA...... Come One, Come All....

Been here 4 full years.... Reserve 4 full years.... Who the h-ll knows what would happen in a merger?????????????

I am all for newbies coming on property! Take your chances and see what happens

I also welcome all new comers. I do not mean this to be an attack by any means....but for those of us that have come from or are coming from another regional, we all have suffered with the quality of life the last few years. Hell EVERYONE has had to suffer the stagnation the last 4 years. I just spent 10 years in a 50 seat regional jet, with 80 months (almost 7 years) of which were on reserve. I have commuted coast to coast; half way across the country; driven 4 hours; and my last stop was only a 1.5 hour drive, thank god. Gathered up quite a few t-shirts and stories but I still feel very humbled by my experience so far.
The point being is right now the original poster PROBABLY will not suffer with the extremely long reserve if he chooses his domicile appropriately. However things can always change but coming from a regional, I am sure he knows how to suffer for a little bit. Pain is temporary. ASA, I think you will be pleasantly surprised though.

 

[n757st]

Dont tell me to paint a false picture......... If you are not based in JFK or BOS life is probably good for you....YAY...Sounds like you are already one of the guys who "HAS HIS" Come on out to one of the smaller bases and see what your senior brothers and sisters have to say. I will be happy to bid back and sit mucho senior to you. Enjoy working EVERY HOLIDAY...
I chalk your post up to being young, naive and dont really know sh!t!!!!!!!!!!!1

Good to release the anger here before you fly........ It is your choice to sit reserve in a small base or sit as a line holder in a big one. I have also been here a year and can hold a line in every base besides MCO and LGB, and I know full well there is a chance of upgrade before I hold a line in either. If your life in a small base sucks I welcome you to enter BOS and bump me down a spot, you are more senior and deserve to go to work without being miserable. Until the next system bid I will sympathize with you... If you choose not to switch to a larger base after the next system bid then I will not. I hope the best for your quality of life, we all know it can be challenging at times.

As for the original poster, this is a far better job then any regional and as good as many nationals. Is it a 19 day off commutable wide body schedule?... No. But the overnights are great, the pay is good, and I generally get the feeling when I go to work that the chiefs, especially Trey have my back. That's a lot better then the combative attitude at many airlines in this country. That said, we have a ways to go, and we will not rest on our laurels. This whole comparing our life to the regionals is crap, we all know it. When we can compare ourselves to Swa, Alaska, and Delta we will know that this place has matured,

 

[Whiskerbizkit]

Ive been here just under 5yrs. I also came from the regionals and am happy to be here. I'm dissapointed with the union vote outcome but Im not looking to jump ship over it. I was lucky that I held my base where I live right out of training and am bidding fairley senior. Upgrade is so up and down here that you cant predict how long, I can hold 190 CA if wanted but choose not to for QOL. Throw your app in, get offerd the job first before you making a choice.

 

[flyinnfishn]

Jet Blue is a nice stepping stone from regional to major. I would apply and accept the job, all the while applying and updating my stuff with the majors. I think that having A320 on your resume is a plus.

If you are a retired military pilot with good medical and pension, you might stay at JB if you can live in base. If you are under the age of 40, you definately want to be looking for a career airline.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[pilot22]

Is there any way to see the contract you have to sign? Wonder what it says in fine print. I guess that would answer the peaches and cream and oh by the way concerns.
What's a typical duty day and rest period like? Long sits between flights? Short overnights? What about the commuter clause?

 

[Heavy Set]

I hear Kalitta and Southern are hiring too... I don't work at either, but if you are looking for something interesting/exotic and you ultimately want to jump to a legacy and take the ultra slow-road to the Captain seat, why not get some 747-400 (Kalitta operates them and Southern will be adding 400s shortly) time in the interim...

Your new office awaits:

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Carg...69725/L/&sid=0887d168ec17ef1134c5ed646a11997f

I agree with J-rod - go do something different if you want to hang around and wait for the Legacies. If you already have the required PIC time to be competitive at the majors, go fly a 747 and see the world. Why not? I have also heard that Southern, Kalitta and World are hiring. You might just like it enough to stay... I know a senior Kalitta Capt from my freighter days and he loves the flying. I flew the 747 myself in the latter 90s and loved it. Best and most exciting flying I ever did and I am thankful for the opportunity.

 

[Ski-N-Fly]

I've been here 7 years, and hope to remain for the long term. Although I am disappointed with the union vote, I know the opportunity will present itself again. Unionization here is inevitable. Now what form it may take is anyone's guess at this point. There are those who will give up and leave for other airlines (grass is always greener), and there are those who will stay and try to make this a destination airline. I am of the latter.

JetBlue has its faults, and is not perfect. But look at the history of major airlines. 10 to 15 years ago who would have thought that SWA would have the highest paid pilot group? Remember UAL's contract in the late 90's? My point is that things change. The "king of the hill" doesn't stay king forever. JetBlue has approximately 175 aircraft at this point, and has firm orders to end up with approximately 285 total aircraft. Of course those numbers are subject to change (and probably will), but there is growth planned. If we can survive M&A before we have a CBA and/or union protection, hopefully we'll be in good shape. We have good people here, and many want to make their careers with JetBlue. Overall, I am happy here, but there is definitely a need for improvement in certain areas. I am hopeful we will get there. Rome wasn't built in a day. Maybe I'm just an optimist.

Either way, as long as you apply to an airline.....it's always going to be a gamble. Best wishes!

 

[Fins Up]

Dont tell me to paint a false picture......... If you are not based in JFK or BOS life is probably good for you....YAY...Sounds like you are already one of the guys who "HAS HIS" Come on out to one of the smaller bases and see what your senior brothers and sisters have to say. I will be happy to bid back and sit mucho senior to you. Enjoy working EVERY HOLIDAY...
I chalk your post up to being young, naive and dont really know sh!t!!!!!!!!!!!1

Boiling it all down, if you don't want to be on reserve too long, be based out of JFK or BOS. If you want to be at a "senior base" expect to be on reserve for a while. Nothing to get all bent out of shape about.

 

[Blue Dude]

Is there any way to see the contract you have to sign? Wonder what it says in fine print.

The contract is only a few pages long. The problem isn't in the fine print, it's in all the stuff that it *doesn't* say.

 

[CLARKGRSWOLD]

All depends on where you come from. Any regional, no matter how shiny the jet, it's a step up. Full time CA line holder with 52 weeks vacation....its still a step up.

Yes because working is better than a paid year off... Dont be dork

 

[kf4amu]

Yes because working is better than a paid year off... Dont be dork

Seriously? I know its tough to detect sarcasm through the internet but...seriously?

 

[Lake Alice]

Apply, take the job, quit when a major hires you.

Jetblue is a great temporary fix. Though it's a nice working environment the pay, benefits and retirement are insufficient and not subject to change. It will be better than your regional but don't plan on staying here for a career. Go to a major.

 

[rjpilot7667]

Dont tell me to paint a false picture......... If you are not based in JFK or BOS life is probably good for you....YAY...Sounds like you are already one of the guys who "HAS HIS" Come on out to one of the smaller bases and see what your senior brothers and sisters have to say. I will be happy to bid back and sit mucho senior to you. Enjoy working EVERY HOLIDAY...
I chalk your post up to being young, naive and dont really know sh!t!!!!!!!!!!!1

Then do it chief, Enjoy your coast-to-coast commute. You did paint a false picture. you didn't intitially say you were in a smaller base. Chances are that a new hire will be based in JFK or BOS and won't be on reserve for 4 years like you did. Being based in LGB was YOUR CHOICE and you don't have anyone to blame but yourself for your dissatisfaction.

If you're not happy find a new job and quit complaining, see if the grass is greener.

 

[rjpilot7667]

boiling it all down, if you don't want to be on reserve too long, be based out of jfk or bos. If you want to be at a "senior base" expect to be on reserve for a while. Nothing to get all bent out of shape about.

bingo

 

[Ref]

Would anybody recommend leaving a Fractional to go to JetBlue?