Leaving B6

[Vastly Underemp]

F-16 and Mr. Murdoch touched on the subject: all the rest of the majors do have a no-compete clause, they just call it something different and permanent. They all make you resign your seniority number from your previous carrier before allowing you to begin training. That is even more restrictive than a non-compete clause.

And let me add my voice to the chorus: if you don't like it, don't apply.

 

[On Your Six]

F-16 and Mr. Murdoch touched on the subject: all the rest of the majors do have a no-compete clause, they just call it something different and permanent. They all make you resign your seniority number from your previous carrier before allowing you to begin training. That is even more restrictive than a non-compete clause.

And let me add my voice to the chorus: if you don't like it, don't apply.

It's still a lame policy - an outlier regardless of what you call it. Most pilots other than furloughees would resign their seniority numbers anyway if they were under the impression that Jet Blue was going to be their final stop. But what if JB turns out to not be the wonderful employer everyone portrays it to be. Sometimes people make the wrong choices. Are you saying they can't now return to their previous employer if they felt they made a mistake? You can if you work for SWA, DAL, CAL, Spirit, Alaska, Hawaiian, USAirways, etc., etc. I am not saying one should return to a regional but it happens.

Furloughees not resigning their seniority numbers is a completely separate issue. ASA didn't force DAL furloughees to resign their numbers either. Jet Blue benefitted from having experienced furloughees from DAL and USAirways populating their flightdecks - don't forget that. This non-compete policy is an outlier and a bit restrictive in this vagabond business.

Sure, pilots who don't like it shouldn't apply - that's an easy thing to say. Let's hope that eligible pilots who have other options are listening...

 

[Booster]

According to the Pilot Agreement JB pilot signs, s/he cannot go back to the airline you left to come to JB for 2 years. After that you are free to go back if you see it as a better deal.

 

[On Your Six]

According to the Pilot Agreement JB pilot signs, s/he cannot go back to the airline you left to come to JB for 2 years. After that you are free to go back if you see it as a better deal.

And your point? JB is the only airline that does that - why? I don't care if they don't ask furloughees to give up their seniority numbers. Different situation. We are talking about a restrictive policy that is very unnecessary. This ain't consulting or financial services where access to sensitive data would make you dangerous to the business - we are talking about line pilots. Two years is a long time if you feel you made a mistake.

No wonder JB pilots are leaving for SWA, DAL, CAL, UPS and others - they pay more and they are less oppressive. Just admit it, this policy is an outlier in the business and simply not necessary. Why prevent someone from returning to a previous carrier if that move would make them happier? Do you want them to stew and be pissed? If we were talking about part 135 flying and typical training bonds that would be one thing, but this non-compete policy is an anomoly for pilots in the airline business.

It's just odd that a "progressive" airline like JB would have one of these restrictive policies...

 

[Puck Mugger]

And your point? JB is the only airline that does that - why? I don't care if they don't ask furloughees to give up their seniority numbers. Different situation. We are talking about a restrictive policy that is very unnecessary. This ain't consulting or financial services where access to sensitive data would make you dangerous to the business - we are talking about line pilots. Two years is a long time if you feel you made a mistake.

No wonder JB pilots are leaving for SWA, DAL, CAL, UPS and others - they pay more and they are less oppressive. Just admit it, this policy is an outlier in the business and simply not necessary. Why prevent someone from returning to a previous carrier if that move would make them happier? Do you want them to stew and be pissed? If we were talking about part 135 flying and typical training bonds that would be one thing, but this non-compete policy is an anomoly for pilots in the airline business.

It's just odd that a "progressive" airline like JB would have one of these restrictive policies...

So....long story short....I guess you won't be applying.

 

[NewmanF16]

How can you complain about a policy that actually is a benefit to pilots over all the other carriers? I understand B6's policy completely. They don't want to invest in training so the guy can turn around and leave back to his previous seniority number before they get a return on investment. I think they are betting that the QOL or atmosphere at B6 will cause these guys to stay (and I know 2 guys that are struggling right now with the decision to get recalled or stay at B6--they all like the atmosphere at B6 way more than the legacy they were furloughed from).

Any other airline job they may have taken would have cost them their seniority number, and they wouldn't even have a choice to make now.

 

[Vastly Underemp]

OK, let's look at some of your examples.....

Let's say I was furloughed from a legacy, say AA, and I applied to a next tier carrier, say ATA. ATA said they'd hire me if I resign my seniority number at AA. I willingly do so because I think you can't resign from a place that you don't work. But the intent (by ATA) is that I have given away my seniority/recall number at AA and I can NEVER go back there. JetBlue only requires that I not return to my previous carrier for 2 years. Sounds more lenient to me.

The same would apply wherever you go. If I were to get furloughed from CAL and then hired by AA, AA would require me to PERMANENTlY resign my seniority from CAL. F-16 said it, it's an attempt to recoup training costs, although I thought training costs were the excuse to pay probationaries crap money. Hmmmmm, management doubledipping all these years? Naaaaah.

 

[Booster]

On Your Six

And your point? quote =off]

The point is I am answering your question.
According to the Pilot Agreement JB pilots sign, s/he cannot go back to the airline you left to come to JB for 2 years. After that you are free to go back if you see it as a better deal.

 

[AKAAB]

It simply comes down to return on investment and promoting the company culture.

As it was explained to the ranks, why would we want to force you to stay at JB if you didn't want to stay? Forcing you to resign your seniority is essentially forcing you to start at the bottom of the ladder somewhere if you left JetBlue.

We took on furloughees and were trying to make sure we got a reasonable return on the expense of hiring a new guy. Two years non-compete and no requirement to give up your senoirity at your previous airline was a pretty sweet offer for a ton of pilots that were looking for work a couple of years ago.

Instead of stock options, some guys are now reaping the reward of JB giving them "career options". They could have been worthless, and for some they are (sorry, East guys and gals), but they could get you back at your favorite legacy when their fortunes improved.