Latest on JetBlue hiring?

[miaboeingcapt]

Just wondering what the latest is on hiring at JetBlue? Any future growth, new hire bases, equipment, etc.?

 

[Lake Alice]

Just asked about this the other day and no one seems to know but the rumors are of consistent hiring next year.

 

[N905TW]

Next new hire class is November 3 - some calls went out yesterday for the slots.

Lots of rumors of continued hiring from friends on the inside, 275-300 new hires for 2011. New round of interviews begin 10/27.

 

[Ski-N-Fly]

Next new hire class is November 3 - some calls went out yesterday for the slots.

Lots of rumors of continued hiring from friends on the inside, 275-300 new hires for 2011. New round of interviews begin 10/27.

Where did you hear about interviews on 10/27? And where are they getting the candidates? Just curious. I was hoping they would have another job fair.....trying to get a buddy an interview.

 

[kellwolf]

I heard the same number on new hires, but I'm having trouble getting confirmation on teh 10/27 interview date. The only person I've heard getting a call for that is someone on another internet forum.

I went to the open house back in May, and my phone's been nothing but crickets since then.

 

[uspilot]

Yes we will be interviewing 10/27...also around 250 pilot for 2011...we are also looking for 35 new instructors...9% growth in 2011....will show profit for 3Q...9 to 11 planes arriving next yr....Good luck to all...we are glad to have you.

 

[JJthejetplane]

The candidates for the 10/27 interview are coming from the folks at the open house back in May. I would expect there will be another open house sometime in the near future (guessing after the first of the year???) in order to develop a new group of candidates to interview.

My best and latest source says 275 new hires next year, and I have also heard 250 and 300. I also heard that somewhere in the ballpark of 300 each year for 2012 and 2013 (that was from a good source, but I am sure that is likely to change). I don't remember the exact number so I won't quote it, but there is going to be massive flight attendant hiring during the first quarter of 2011. 3rd quarter earnings will be announced tomorrow and should be impressive, so hopefully that will encourage accelerated growth.

 

[kellwolf]

The candidates for the 10/27 interview are coming from the folks at the open house back in May. I would expect there will be another open house sometime in the near future (guessing after the first of the year???) in order to develop a new group of candidates to interview.

Anyone know if all those calls have gone out? I went on 5/14, but nada yet. Probably at least a few more guys. I know there was a mix of general applicant, open house and blue darts called in the last round of interviews, so I'm guessing I'm not the only open house guy who's phone hasn't rung yet. Killer thing is.....I already have the 27th off as part of my normal bid.

 

[flyin4jsus]

No call yet for me either! A friend of mine got a call today for an interview on 10/27, but I don't believe he went to the open house.

 

[Mercy98]

24 new planes in the next 23 months. Tomorrow is our quarterly announcement, so that will help take the guess out of those numbers and other deliveries beyond 2012.

We're short of crewmembers and needed them in the summer. We can't wait to see you all soon enough. Good luck.

On an aside, shake your heads in the negative when any question arises about your thoughts on unionization. It's a bad, bad thing isn't it? Answer, yes. Regardless of your true thoughts. You're paving your way to a bright future already.

 

[pilotgolfer]

24 new planes in the next 23 months. Tomorrow is our quarterly announcement, so that will help take the guess out of those numbers and other deliveries beyond 2012.

We're short of crewmembers and needed them in the summer. We can't wait to see you all soon enough. Good luck.

On an aside, shake your heads in the negative when any question arises about your thoughts on unionization. It's a bad, bad thing isn't it? Answer, yes. Regardless of your true thoughts. You're paving your way to a bright future already.

Mercy...there is not a snowballs chance in heck that they would go near that subject in an interview. Even making chit chat, that is a big off-limits conversation.

 

[Cheesehead1]

I also went to the open house in May (5/10) and have not gotten a call for an interview.

 

[Longhorn]

From a friend in the training center in MCO, we are planning to hire approximately 1000 pilots over the next 3 years. 250-300 next year and 350ish the 2 years after. Of course that could change but that is the current plan from what I have heard.

 

[Splert]

Take our delivery schedule though 2016 and divide by 2 and we have a 60% chance of taking that many and a 0% chance of taking more.

1000 pilots sounds like pumping up the new hires in OSC.

 

[coogebeachhotel]

Take our delivery schedule though 2016 and divide by 2 and we have a 60% chance of taking that many and a 0% chance of taking more.

1000 pilots sounds like pumping up the new hires in OSC.

Agree. By then a merger. Anyone who thinks different is naive......

 

[Longhorn]

Hey, just reporting what they are telling me....I hope it happens but I agree with the 60% of 50%.....thats the track record anyways.

 

[n757st]

We are in a time of record profits, record load factors, and record revenue generation. I have no doubt the company wants to hire that many people over the next 3+ years. That said, if predictions are true that our profits are to grow to 1 dollar per share by next year, I could see an acceleration of orders. If revenue slacks and profits do not keep increasing incrementally, then we could see orders deferred. I don't think its as easy as saying "we absolutely will or will not take "X" amount of airframes".

 

[Headfake14]

well, with more newbies...CASM will go down with the averaged newhire payrates. Plus, we've already taken it in the shorts with deffering so many orders over the last few years. It may be more cost effective to just take the ships than pay more penalties for delaying orders. I hope we're not too far behind the curve on hiring. We should have had a class of 50 in August.

 

[Ski-N-Fly]

With the airlines turning record profits, this is good for all of us. Just keep in mind, that this is the airline business. ANYTHING can happen on any given day. So when you hear predictions, whether from management, fellow pilots and employees, or even the local weather reporter, remember to add these 3 words......SUBJECT TO CHANGE. I am in no way trying to be negative here, but simply attempting to point out how volatile this industry can be.

I do believe, however, that this appears to be the crest of the wave. So let's enjoy the ride!

 

[Longhorn]

Crest of the wave? Have you seen the article summarizing our earnings call? We are deferring more aircraft = barely any growth. Everyone is growing except us. We are for sale....and the leaner we are the better.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/10/21/348805/jetblue-plans-airbus-deferrals.html

 

[Beechnut]

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/10/21/348805/jetblue-plans-airbus-deferrals.html

JetBlue plans Airbus deferrals
By Lori Ranson

JetBlue Airways plans to defer a total of 10 Airbus A320s scheduled for delivery in 2012 and 2013 to 2016 in order to spread out its aircraft purchase obligations.

Carrier chief executive Dave Barger disclosed the deferrals today during an earnings call with analysts and investors. Specifically, four A320s scheduled for delivery in 2012 are being pushed to 2016 and six deliveries originally scheduled for 2013 will be rescheduled for delivery in 2016.

JetBlue estimates the deferrals reduce Airbus deliveries by 40% in the 2012-2013 timeframe and reduce costs associated with aircraft purchases by $500 million. The carrier has agreed to pay Airbus $5 million as part of the deferral agreement.

JetBlue now plans to accept seven A320 deliveries in 2012 and 2013.

Additionally, Barger says that JetBlue has decided to "opt out" of two Embraer E-190s deliveries scheduled for 2012.

Now that JetBlue has concluded the deferral agreement, the carrier plans to take a total delivery of nine new aircraft in 2011, 11 in 2012 and 14 in 2013. Barger also says four A320 leases terminate in 2012 and six of the type come off lease in 2013.

JetBlue's latest fleet adjustments follow a deal it concluded with lessor Gecas earlier this year to add back seven A320s it once owned and previously operated.

Barger in a recent interview with ATI sister publication Airline Business said JetBlue "had a very nice financial proposal to bring those aircraft back into the fleet".

"...and I think it's gonna be a long long time... before you ever see a line... Rocket Man!"

 

[n757st]

Perhaps there will negotiation to keep some of those airbuses on property at more lucrative lease rates. Otherwise it now seems the airbus fleet will be pretty flat after next year.

 

[Otto77]

"As for Queens, N.Y.-based JetBlue, results showed third-quarter earnings nearly quadrupled to $59 million, or 18 cents a share, up from $15 million, or 5 cents, earned in the year-ago period.

Analysts had been looking for a profit of 19 cents a share, on average.

Operating revenue rose 21% to $1.03 billion, while the airline’s average fare climbed 11.6% to $141.79.

“Looking ahead, we are encouraged by strong revenue trends, particularly in our Boston and Caribbean markets. We expect this revenue momentum to continue into the fourth quarter,” said Chief Financial Officer Ed Barnes."

So a positive quarter = deferrals?!

Not good..I was still hoping on the planned hiring this coming year in the neighborhood of 275 folks? What gives?!

 

[Fins Up]

Agree. By then a merger. Anyone who thinks different is naive......

Since I have been here we were going to be bought by Delta, SWA, then American. I wouldn't say a merger in the relatively near future is a sure thing. I guess I'm just naive though.

Also,
- The company was going to take our laptops away (even before talk of EFB)
- David Neeleman was going to buy us back (even though he had been booted by the BOD).
- We're going to announce Alaska.
- We're going to announce St. Everywhere in the Caribbean

If you don't believe that all of these have already happened, you are naive.

 

[Ski-N-Fly]

Crest of the wave? Have you seen the article summarizing our earnings call? We are deferring more aircraft = barely any growth. Everyone is growing except us. We are for sale....and the leaner we are the better.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/10/21/348805/jetblue-plans-airbus-deferrals.html

Easy, fella. I was merely commenting on the airline industry as a whole.......not one particular airline. You can speculate all day on growth, no growth, mergers, buyouts, or who will win the superbowl. The fact remains that the airlines are turning some good profits. Delta is hiring, JetBlue is hiring, and American is recalling. Massive retirements at the legacies will follow. Can you see a trend here? This is the crest of the wave I am talking about. I could be wrong, but I prefer to be more optimistic (albeit cautiously). It sure beats the "sky is falling" attitude.

 

[coogebeachhotel]

Why defer? Makes no sense. Imagine a cotton farmer watching commodity prices at record levels. He wakes up one morning and decides he should not plant cotton this year. Why? The cotton seed costs too much................................

 

[Mercy98]

24 planes in 36 months, 2011-13. Record quarterly profits, but missed earnings estimate. Plenty of cash in the bank. Deferring deliveries or "opting out" of them. Yea, somethings going on in the background.

 

[Longhorn]

Easy, fella. I was merely commenting on the airline industry as a whole.......not one particular airline. You can speculate all day on growth, no growth, mergers, buyouts, or who will win the superbowl. The fact remains that the airlines are turning some good profits. Delta is hiring, JetBlue is hiring, and American is recalling. Massive retirements at the legacies will follow. Can you see a trend here? This is the crest of the wave I am talking about. I could be wrong, but I prefer to be more optimistic (albeit cautiously). It sure beats the "sky is falling" attitude.

Hey...my bad. Did not mean to sound pissed or appear to have a "sky is falling" attitude, just frustrated with a few things at work. Things just dont make sense from time to time....people who know me know that I am very level headed and calm....just upsets me to see everyone else growing and making a ton of cash while we pull back deliveries and raise the cost of benefits an unheard of %. Thats all.

 

[Vingus]

Hey...my bad. Did not mean to sound pissed or appear to have a "sky is falling" attitude, just frustrated with a few things at work. Things just dont make sense from time to time....people who know me know that I am very level headed and calm....just upsets me to see everyone else growing and making a ton of cash while we pull back deliveries and raise the cost of benefits an unheard of %. Thats all.

So true buddy.

 

[Ski-N-Fly]

Hey...my bad. Did not mean to sound pissed or appear to have a "sky is falling" attitude, just frustrated with a few things at work. Things just dont make sense from time to time....people who know me know that I am very level headed and calm....just upsets me to see everyone else growing and making a ton of cash while we pull back deliveries and raise the cost of benefits an unheard of %. Thats all.

No worries. I can definitely understand your frustration.