SWA or JetBlue?

[fragglerock]

Hello all,
I have been hired by both SWA and jetBlue. I've done some research on both companies and found out the obvious: they are both expanding and making money. The upgrade at JB comes rather quickly at between 12 and 18 months, whereas at SWA I understand it to be approx. 6-7 years. I was hoping I could get some additional input from everyone out there who reads these posts and are more familiar with the companies. I know what they fly, where they fly, and the domiciles. I know SWA is much larger, but that JB is expanding faster. With the situation the way it is currently in the industry, I am trying to make the best decision possible. I would appreciate any info from anyone currently flying for either carrier, or anyone who has any useful info to contribute. My clock is ticking! Thanks in advance for you help.

 

[boeingdriver213]

I'm a Boeing fan, so with that in mind, Southwest is where I wanna be, Besides, I don't want to waste 13 years and 7000 hours of 737 time. However, if JB called me tomorrow, I wouldn't hesitate to go there either. You want to be a Captain quick, go to JB. You want a choice of warm weather crew bases, along with some not so warm crew bases, go with Southwest. Actually, I'm incredibly envious that you have this choice to make. I gotta believe you are gonna be happy either way. Good luck.....

 

[N1atEcon]

As you can tell by my 737 rating you know who I work for. SWA is a great place to work and have a lot of fun. Obviously it has a proven track record and a great business model. I guess you will have to look at where you want to live and if you are going to commute. SouthWest has Jet Blue beat in that area. If your more worried about upgrade then Jet Blue has Southwest beat. Good luck. You are the envy of a lot of pilots right now having two great offers.

 

[Falconjet]

When would you start?

A big question in my mind would be when do I start? Has JB offered you a class date? How far down are you in the pool at SW? I guess its worth waiting for your dream job but you aren't hired until you are sitting in a class with a new name tag so if JB offered a class date in the near future and I was still a hundred or so out at SW I think I'd go with JB, all other things being equal. I myself am particular to SW and their areas of operation and domicile, but thats just me. If you are ahead of me in the pool at SW I definitely want you to go with JB!

FJ

 

[hopeful]

JB is not expanding faster than SWA. Percentage wise maybe, but overall they are leaps and bounds behind.

If you have 1 airplane and you add 1 then you have increased by 100%.

If you have 100 airlplanes and you add the same 1 then you have only increased by 1%

 

[stillaboo]

Go with your heart. Ignore the financials of the company. 30 years ago, the best airlines, the dream jobs, were at TWA and Pan Am. Guess where they are now? Southwest and Jetblue.

Whoever offers you a GS first is the one that you go with, I'd say, if EVERYTHING is truly equal. I'd go with JB, only for the quick upgrade.

What a wonderful predicament.

 

[Heavy Set]

Both choices very good. Choose Southwest if you are completely risk averse and must absolutely have a "sure thing." Jetblue looks like a strong survivor though and I predict it will be a winner - I know that because I love their product and will select it over Southwest as a PAX if given the choice. The model works - low-cost/profitability mentality + comfortable seats/cabin + live TV + blue potato chips = winner

If you are completely neutral about location - choose Jet Blue for 2 reasons - faster upgrade time and more comfortable/ergonomic flight deck in the Airbus on those LONG transcon flights (Southwest now flies from BWI to LAX using 737-700s - a very tight fit for 5+ hours) - plus, you get to use those cool side-sticks!!!!

Congrats!

 

[fragglerock]

hopeful

Hello,

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far with the insightful info. "Hopeful", I wasn't trying to start a debate, but percentage wise Jetblue is expanding faster than SWA. Thanks.

 

[SWAlifter]

Flip a coin. Heads you win, tails you win. That being said you surely want to take the first start date. If things turn further down, it would be great to already have that employee number, since both companies would not want to furlough. Mo'better blue brought up a good point on the number of legs you want to fly. Flying with SWA I average 3-4 legs a day, sometimes 6 and rarely 2, but I love it that way. Good luck!

 

[Red Leader]

Fraggle,

The gut man....go with the gut! As I have found many times, if you try to out think and out plan you could be left wondering why you didn't just follow your gut feeling. I would suspect that you already know which answer is right for you and yours.....just follow through and you'll be happy with the results. Congrats on positioning yourself with a win-win decision

 

[SentryIP]

Predicament

fragglerock,

Tough choice! Employment with either company would be a great job. A lot of things balance out with both companies such as benefits, pay, job satisfaction, morale, and job stability. These variables are good at both companies, so you can exclude these variables. If I were in your position, I'd look at life style, pilot bases, and commute because those seems to be the differences. Also, how long will you wait for each job is a consideration and I would tend to go with the company that would get me in a class first. I'm sure there are a lot of other variables I haven't listed. Best wishes and congratulations.

 

[AKAAB]

First...take a moment and offer up your thanks to whatever universal power or diety you believe in! Personally, I'm a karma kind of guy - as in, you reap what you sow.

What a problem to have! I made the jump to jetBlue in April, 2000 (leather jacket on the way). Three years later, I can tell you that it has been better than I ever could have imagined. Upper management truly cares about us. Let me say that again, upper management truly cares about us! Upgrades are swift, juniority turns to seniority in a matter of months, and average stage lengths are long enough to let you breath between takeoff and landing.

You will be happy no matter which you choose. Don't try to be clever and predict the future. Just pick the one that will give you the most satisfaction. If sitting in the left seat of an amazing, fly-by-wire aircraft in 12-18 months is enticing, then come on over to the jetBlue. You can't go wrong with jetBeige, either.

Congrats...don't forget that you are obligated to go out of your way to help someone else, now (again, the karma thing).

Cheers,
AKAAB

 

[tredding@swa]

Dude....

not very many chances in life present such a win/win opportunity!

I KNOW that you KNOW just how lucky you are... and, if you are at one with the Universe (see AKAAB's post above) why not pay forward a little Karma????

[insert Ravi Shankar's lilting sitar music here]

.......You will go to Jet Blue.... you will be happy......

You be an A320 captain soon...... you will be happy......

You will open up a slot @ Southwest for a patiently waiting PoolRat..... you will both be happy........

Good Luck - enjoy your future, you will be happy

Tred

 

[JayDub]

Tredding,

My sides hurt from laughing! Hilarious!


AKAAB,

I am in the lotus position... UMMMMMMMMM UUUUMMMMM

JayDub

 

[daddysquared]

You gotta be kidding me.

All right fraggle, break it down for me, did you really come in here with that question during this time in the industry for advice? or was it merely just to show off? I can only pray that I am in the same position years from now after paying my dues. Much good luck to you.

Like fraggle......., I want to be like fraggle.

 

[fragglerock]

daddysquared

Yes,

I'm serious about obtaining information about both airlines in order to make the most educated choice. If anyone has any specific information about SWA and Jetblue payrates and workrules, please reply. Thanks.

 

[jointops]

Fragglerock,

I know I personally have posted answers to pay rate, work rules etc. on previous posts. As has JayDub, Jeff G, Malibu, Mo Better Blu and several others. We're rather straight forward and want everyone to be well informed. Do a search and it will come back with much more of the details you're interested in.

I would take the time right now, but am commuting to JFK this morning for a trip. But I wanted to get something in here to point you in the right direction.

If you have any further questions send me a PM and I'll be happy to tell you my experiences (vs. the company that furloughed me vs. the military). Sorry to be brief, I'll check in on this site tonight in JFK.

Happy landings

 

[Counselair]

Congrats on the job offers.

I've made some pretty tough career choices. I've been at six airlines with my last being my dream job at the Worlds Biggest Airline. Now I'm on the street hoping to get a chance like the one you have. Both airlines are great and you never know what is gonna happen. Whatever you choose just be happy wherever you are.

Counselair

 

[fredflyer]

fraggle,
I was actually walking into my 737 type checkride when I got the call for a jetBlue interview, and later on, the job. After weeks of getting rec-letters and my application together for Southwest and $7000 for a type rating, the app. is still still sitting on my desk. I never sent it in because I didn't want even the slightest chance of being in the position you are in now. I envy your opportunity, but not the decision process you must be going through. Just go with a plan and stick with it, no matter what happens. If by some chance you made the wrong decision and want to re apply to either company, I don't think either one will hold a grudge against you at a later time (but that's just my humble opinion).

 

[Falconjet]

Timeframe

Fraggle: You stated in your request that your clock was ticking, yet you still haven't disclosed a timeframe for either carier. You aren't hired by a company until you are sitting in class and drawing a paycheck. Where are you in the SW pool and when is your classdate with JetBlue? The timing of the classes would be the most important issue. If you have a class date in the near future with JetBlue and are fairly far down in the deep end of the pool I'd say take the bird in the hand. You never know what might happen, even at a company as solid as SW. More info would help others give you some insight. Best of luck.

 

[JPB]

Low cost airline

I am not sure JetBlue is :
As you know the A320 are equipped expensively , the landing fees at JFK and other major airports are very high (5, 10 , 15K...).
Low cost airplane for SW , low or n landing fees, labor under control , in a position to seriously take on the big guys in every part of the country .
The models between SWA and JB are very different. But here lies the opportunity of upgrading rapidly and having a good seniority.

I would go with SWA

 

[FL717]

You asked...so... to me its a no-brainer. No hesitation whatsoever.

SWA all the way.