Originally Posted by
Vernon Demerest
JetBlue grew and profited at the expense of the legacy carriers whom were caught flat footed in several ways post 9/11. Competing now head to head with fewer, healthier network carriers has proven to be more of a challenge but JetBlue is still hanging in there and is a force on the East Coast. On the pilot compensation front, more work has been done in the last few years than was done during the growth and success of the corporation. AirTran was stomped out before they got as big as you guys. Everyone is talking about what the industry will look like in 10 years. Those discussions seem to involve ”who” ties up (in some form or fashion) with JetBlue. Don’t understand all the negativity I often read here. Your airline has done more in 20 years than any other in its first 20. You should be proud of that.
Well, it comes off at the end as I’m an ingrate and thus we have the “culture” factor. ‘I’m not proud to be at jetblue.’ Let’s examine that implied statement. Your implication is a prime driving factor of what the corporate management pushes upon the jetblue many. “Just HAPPY to be hear sir!” Stay until the last customer deplanes and say goodbye. Miss your bus or commute. The regular jetblue minion (I include pilots here) is to do more with less. We are then slapped in the face with below industry rules and redaction of profit sharing while the company logs record profits. We jump over one another to rush in and pick up extra flying when the company has planned to operate below a required staffing level. The union grieves it. Whooopdie Dooo! Guys are working on Thanksgiving and Christmas because of this HUBRIS! And yet we rush in for VDA and RSA. Culture. At jetblue you need to hustle to win. If you’re not hustling your a min runner. Your paycheck will reflect it.
How does jetblue make this profitability and great success that you also imply? Well, its on the backs of the employees. There is no jetblue without the workers. Yet, we are not treated with the respect and compensation that is deserved of going the extra million miles. I like coming to work but when I begin to be exploited by crew services and a system that sets me up for failure I become disgruntled.
The jetblue system is designed to make you work extra; going above and beyond for the same compensation. That goes for Gate Agents, bag handlers, flight attendants and pilots. Thats how they invent culture to make you feel like you’re being a great team player. Vladimir Lenin would be proud.
-Bubs