Originally Posted by
Flying Elvis
I'm a newbie so fresh out of the womb I'm still dripping blue juice wherever I walk, but I've got an issue with this kind of thinking.
First, few people are blessed to know exactly what they want to do and with whom they want to do it with right out of the gate. Personally I'm very happy here, but again I'm pretty wet behind the ears. I don't plan to leave, but if I got offered a job tomorrow that combined body-doubling for Brad Pitt (given that they'd have to make me uglier and keep me from working out so much) during the week and flying P-51s on the weekend for $2.5M/yr, I'd have a hard time turning it down.
Second, I'm willing to wager there are pilots, 100% dead-set on making JetBlue a career, who aren't making this airline a better place. On the flip side, I'll make a bet there are a few "stepping stone" pilots who will do quite a bit for the company in the 6 to 9 months they're here.
Thirdly, the company won't lose much money in training costs. Maybe with a pilot who hangs out less than 2 years (thus the clause). Replacing a 3yr pilot costs them maybe $40-50K. They'll save that over 2 years, maybe over 1, in pay. Will they lose experience? Yes, but that doesn't cost them anything on the books. Besides, you've already said you'd rather fly with a company pilot than a good one. Lots of people agree with you.
Finally, watch what you wish for when you say "pay to play." It wouldn't be the first company to get barely-qual'd pilots to pay for their SIC time...
Your comparing apple to oranges. This whole thing is about guys coming here then leaving quickly either back to there original employer or to one of the other majors. Not about flying a mustang on the weekend.
Listen I'm not making excuses for the guys here that are in it for the long haul that are hurting the company right now but they are ****ed. I understand that, but please tell me what a guy who has been here 6 mos can do other than show up and fly? We aren't working for an ad firm or an architectural firm that promotes creative thinking. You have a singular job that involves flying an airplane from point to point safely while keeping the passengers as comfortable as possible. Nothing more
As far as the training costs? Isn't the what I said, if you come here then leave within the two years you should pay restitution because it will cost the company money?
These stepping stone pilots I'm talking about are the ones who willingly take a job here knowing they want to go somewhere else. They are lying in the interview at the least.
I never said I'd rather fly with a company guy. Those guys are on the far end of the spectrum and will never pull there head of of the sand. I also dont want to fly with the all the time bashing the company guy either. They make me so friggin tired by the end of a 4 day. I like flying with anyone who likes Beer!!!!
I hope we don't make people pay to come here. That would be the lowest of the lowes.