Originally Posted by
UpAndAway
Instead of raging with your caps-lock on, please ask your employer (I assume you're a CA with JetBlue) why they're creating this program and inform me, and others, who are interested in this and similar programs. You seem to know something they don't and I hardly doubt they're willing to create useless programs for no reason other than to simply to anger the current pilot group. Let us know what they say.
Also, what you are saying about all pilots hating this program is simply untrue, evidenced by the responses from current pilots in the other thread and on other forums.
The only reasonable argument you have made so far is that there are other, more experienced pilots available today, which I agree with, although it's a moot point as the situation may change in five years (and hours alone do not guarantee you a position...). What will the situation look like in four years? Ten years? What will the situation be like then? My understanding is the program is designed to safeguard against a looming problem, not a current one.
If one of those experienced pilots with an app currently on file at JetBlue (and the other 10+ or so Major/Legacy airlines) doesn't land a job at a major, do you really think it's because of 20 pilots hitting the line 5 years from now?
Applications on file aside, at what point is a pilot experienced enough to fly at a Major? You drive this point continuously but can never provide data or examples. Why doesn't this apply to me if I fly an E-175 with Republic? Does the public know their Regional FO is not experienced enough to command the airplane safely? If that's the case then I won't fly on Regional aircraft anymore due to safety concerns.
I can't tell if the anger is that there are pilots with more hours already on file today, or that the program will create unsafe pilots.
There are guys that got hired at regionals before the new rules with 500 hours, made captain and moved on. Some didn't even make captain and came here. Others spent a long time as captains at other carriers, some did the military route. I personally don't see this program much different then a guy paying to go through an aviation program, instructing, and going to an airline. However many many.... many others do. I would say the majority of pilots here don't like and don't support the program. They all have reasons which they have said in many post. I agree that with all the qualified applicants this program is not necessary. This type of program belongs at the regional level. Jetblue or any other major or legacy is not, or will not be hurting for applicants in the near future, possibly ever. Please listen to this advice, if you go through this program you will never be accepted here if that has not been made clear by now. For the money they are charging you can go to all ATPs or a similar school, instruct, get your ATP, get a job, and if there really is a pilot shortage get on at a legacy or major realitivly quick. Even as the market is right now after a couple years at a regional you should have multiple job offers. Why limit yourself to just Jetblue, for the same time and money you could make yourself marketable to all the airlines. There is no way of knowing how things will be in 5-6 years. If you do this you will be forever mated with one company that might not be around. Look at airline history. These are things you need to learn. Please take your money and time to an aviation school and do it in a way to protect yourself. These are things current pilots know and have lived through. They're frustration comes in two forms. The program is not necessary and there are plenty and always will be many already qualified pilots looking for jobs. And second, you don't understand because your not a pilot. Actually the more I think about it, and this is about as blunt as I can say it, you are just plain stupid if you do this program. Why would any reasonable person not just pay for a real proven program and start building connections and experience to open the job possibilities to more than one airline.