Originally Posted by
Pilotguy1973
I know this is a trend lately here on APC and I hate to ask a similar question but I would really appreciate some honest input. I have a face to face interview scheduled with B6 next month and I also have a Pathway Program through my current employer to Frontier. I'm really having a hard time deciding which route would be the best fit for me and my family.
A little of my background info:
I worked for regional "A" for 11 years, 10 of those as Captain on the CRJ. I commuted the entire time from FL to various bases. I patiently waited for a call from a carrier with FL bases but never had any luck and eventually made the decision to leave there and work at regional "B" which has several bases in FL. Although I took a pay cut I am much happier as is my family now that I'm home most nights and no longer have to suffer the torture that is involved in commuting. I'm 46 years old and at this point in my life don't think I'll be a good fit for a legacy (will hit 65 before I hold any seniority) nor am I competitive as I haven't finished my BS degree. Also, all legacies aside from AA would require me to commute again. Moving out of the state is not an option for me as most of my family is here in FL and I have established a life here for myself and my children. I don't think AA will be calling me any time soon for a MIA position.
Having said that, my current employer has a Pathway Program to Frontier that I will most likely be eligible to use before the end of the year. I'm having a hard time going back and forth between the opportunities between F9 and B6. Granted, I have not been hired by B6 yet but if it comes down to a choice it will be very difficult for me to make.
The positives of B6 are that I feel it is a more established company and I think the work rules are probably much better there. They do have FLL and MCO domiciles. And, the pay scales on the AirBus are higher at B6 as well.
The drawbacks are that I will most likely be assigned the 190 in BOS or JFK. Now I'm back to commuting. It seems to me from what I gather on these forums that for me to be able to hold a Florida base it could take some time. Then, there is the issue of being able to move up to the AirBus. That again would most likely require me to again commute to the NE. Lastly, it seems that upgrade time on either airframe could take a significant amount of time, especially in a FL base. So, it seems to me that I could potentially be commuting for years to be able to progress up the pay scale.
The benefits to Frontier are that I would be able to hold MCO relatively quickly and upgrades are currently running around 3 years. I have done the math calculations and it seems that my income earning potential and QOL would be much greater at F9. Although things have been rocky there recently and there are question marks as to the future of the company, it seems as though with their projected growth I would be able to gain seniority rather quickly.
The drawbacks to F9 are that they have a substandard contract and work rules and that it seems to be a bit of a mess over there with Indigo running the show. However, I'm optimistic that they will follow in the footsteps of Spirit and even B6 and eventually be a stable company.
My questions to you all is what do you realistically think my progression would be if I were hired at B6. What airframe am I likely to be hired into? How long would I have to commute before being able to hold a FL base? What time frame am I looking at to be able to both move up to the AirBus and how long before I could upgrade on either A/C in Florida?
Also, would I be able to pick up extra work or trade trips out of FLL or MCO even if I'm based in BOS/JFK?
I've had several pilot friends tell me I'm crazy for even considering F9 over B6, but everyone's situation is different. If I were young and single it probably wouldn't even be a question.
I've also been pursuing Spirit but it seems they have all but stopped hiring for the near future.
Please give me your honest opinion and try to refrain from turning this into a negative thread. Ultimately it will be up to me but I would love some insight as to what I may be looking at whichever path I choose.
Thanks!
For starters... go to the interview, put everything into it as if you want it and wait for an offer before making a decision. With that being said you are going to have a really good QOL at jetblue despite what the fear mongers say on these forums. Financially speaking you will make more at jetblue then Frontier without a shadow of a doubt. The 190 is going very junior and people are holding lines within several months out of JFK and there are tons of florida overnights for you. However in this last system bid there were 109 a320 vacancies. So it's a mixed bag on what you will get. You sound older so you would be in the top half of the new hire class to get your first choice.
A320 to start year one will yield you a lot less $ then the 190, but it could make you more year 2 depending on what you credit. The a320 could get you FLL quicker then MCO on the 190 but that remains to be scene with the new yearly bid upcoming in august for 2020.
Either way take you time... go to the interview, prep for it... get the offer, go through phase 2 and then make your decision. With an April interview you are probably looking at a summer or early fall class. Good Luck!