Originally Posted by
Minty
Stop comparing us to regionals and fractionals. We're a major US airline. There are no comparisons to be had with either one at this point though. I used to think this airline was only good for people that lived in Boston, but now, I don't even think it's good enough for that. This is pretty depressing , this airline is not going anywhere - there's no growth potential and everyone of my friends hired at the major airlines are captain already, the ones that aren't are making 160 grand as a first officer. This place is a dead-end career road that seems to be moving backwards.
The only comparison was that if those folk working at those types of gigs can find the time off and $ to pursue further their apps to the (other) majors anyone form JetBlue can as well. If JetBlue pilots aren't actively trying to get on with a career airline, they've got no one to blame but themselves.
Unfortunately JetBlue management sees its peers as Frontier, Spirit and Virgin America. It's pilots see their peers as SWA, United, AA and Delta. Management isn't going to willingly give a CBA on par with any of the groups you aspire to be like anytime soon without significant pressure. With the level of pressure they're receiving now (which really isn't all that much) you'll probably see an offer of 10-20% increase in pay in benefits when the first CBA comes around for approval (they were already trying to pacify you with an 8% raise and a reduction in profit sharing) in 18-24 months when they really start getting concerned with pilot manning.
Hopefully the pilot group votes the first contract down, then it'll be another 12-18 months until they get the second CBA produced which historically has something like a 90% pass rate regardless of what's in it.
JetBlue pilots are driven to be working under a top tier CBA, they need to apply to companies that offer them already instead of hoping and dreaming that one is going to fall into their lap because they have a union now. It's going to be a long time before they see one otherwise.