Originally Posted by
Anonymous2092
Yet another "Stay or Leave" post.
I've been at B6 for coming up on 4 years now, based in MCO. I came here because I wanted to live in FL, and I didn't want to be furloughed. I'd been holding out on leaving because of fears of a furlough back when everyone in my class left. Now it's been years, and all my classmates that went to legacies are having a ball while we've been struggling to grow. I was feeling, a bit optimistic back when I thought we might gain Spirit's route network, but now that thats all fallen through and with all the downgrades coming, I just feel like I sold myself short. Now don't get me wrong, B6 has been good to me, but I'd be lying if I said I really look forward to the next 30+ years at this moment in time. Now with an april class date offer from UAL, I'm stuck wondering if the possibility of a furlough in the near future is worth the risk. The economy isn't looking great right now, and hiring is starting to slow down. I've got good senioriy at B6 with 1,200 below me, but I'm not sure if thats saying much when I fly with 12+ year captains on reserve.
Things worth noting:
- 32
- no kids
- no wife
- no debt
- no mortgage
- widebody flying seems cool, but isn't a main driver
- don't mind commuting for now if I know it'll be worth the long-term gain
All things being equal, I feel relatively good about JetBlue's future, but thats only because I think we will be bought in the next 2-4 years. Is it worth staying to find out? WWYD?
I've been hearing about the impending purchase of JB by some other airline for the last 15 years. There's a reason it isn’t going to happen. If it does its going to be Alaska or Frontier.
There is risk in leaving as well as risk in staying.
There is more of a furlough risk at an LCC right now than United. Just look at Spirit. Is Jetblue even hiring right now? A downturn will affect all airlines. The only potential hiring at Jetblue now is because pilots like yourself are leaving.
United has had 2 furloughs in the last 45 years. One was 9/11 and the other was the GFC. Even Covid didn't cause a furlough. With retirements growing evey year and staying over 500 for a decade as well as 700 planes on delivery there is an extremely low chance of a furlough. Even the 21 airplanes being announced to be parked early are being replaced by 65 new planes being delivered in 2025. I have not flown with one former JB/NK/F9 etc pilot that has said they regret coming to United. My last FO (late 30s) left Southwest to come to United and he said it was by far the best move.
JB has zero 320s being delivered in 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029. The only reason they will hire is to replace the people leaving for other airlines.
I hope that if you decide to stay you let United know so they can put someone else in that class that wants to be here.
If you are ambivolent stay at Jetblue and let someone that really wants to be here have the job.