The way people are retiring here, I should be number 1 at Delta in a few months..... No, I don't plan on applying there, and I was just making fun of the Jetblue guys who think their $hit don't stink. Most of the people who post Jetblue are nice people. I think they get tired of hearing that they lowered the bar. Most of the pilots that pound them are out of work, and find them a good scapegoat. Every airline has problems with high fuel prices, and Neeleman has stated that even $80 a barrel oil could be handled by Jetblue and their great business plan. He believes that. Can they do it? Yeah, I think they can. He said for every $20 increase in oil, Jetblue only needs a $10 ticket increase. Obviously Moody's feels differently. Moody's sees the smaller margins and unproven new business plan, and they owe bond investors a fair rating. Are they wrong?...No. Once they see the 190 will be a plus to their financials, they will reaffirm to stable. But, they are a good airline with Live TV, and people like that. I don't think People'sExpress had any one gadget besides lower fares. Jetblue has lower fares and free Live TV. They are the ones to beat, and we are trying to compete with Song.
So, let me say it again: I think jetblue is a good airline with some great ideas (LiveTV and now the E190 etc). But, as the years go by, the costs will mount (mx for Airbi etc), and that may be why the pay scales for the E190 are "regional" level---to help pay for future costs.....the 190 is regional because MidAtlantic and Republic set the bar for the E-jet. Why should Delta or the new US Airways have a cost advantage. You have a short memory.
Bye Bye--General Lee