I used to think this was a stupid vanity rumor..... but hear me out.

JetBlue fails to acquire Spirit - JetBlue likely won't be able to acquire anybody else of size - JetBlue needs a way to grow/survive/reinvent itself..... Following me?

Breeze has a common fleet and some routes that are very JetBlue-esq. Overall, JBU can't really grow head to head with 320/321s. They COULD grow with the A220 though... it can profitably serve many new routes others cannot directly compete on (BREEZE). Not full Allegiant, Not full Spirit, but a subtle shift from the current JetBlue.

You cannot tell me Neeleman hasn't thought about a triumphant return to JetBlue...

COME ON IT MAKES SOME SENSE if you think about it.

I can’t imagine JetBlue wanting to spend half a billion (or more) for an airline that only has 17 A220s, a trash route structure and schedule, and some beat to death 190s that are not even ours. The only thing we offer is 17 A220s and some delivery slots for more. And the PW1500G is having troubles of its own!! Can’t see it happening. Maybe if Breeze actually had the “exponential” growth we were all promised it would be a more attractive dance partner.

So, nope, they are apparently only hiring previous military or 121 experienced pilots.

The 190s won't go with Breeze if acquired. So then how does JetBlue grow from here? There are only two ways - widebodies (which....no), or niche routes. The 220 fits that bill.

I agree with you that the 220 engines aren't out of the woods yet. But I don't see JBU buying Breeze for the airplanes (I don't think we even own our 220s), more so for the reintroduction of traffic and possibly some massive PR from bringing Neeleman back in. Half a Billion?? They were just about to pay 3+ Billion for Spirit.... they can afford it.

Also, whats "trash" about the route structure? You must be a commuter. From March-August, the airplanes are always full so... define trash.

They change their mind monthly. Right now, there is a surplus of zero time FOs on the market and Breeze dedparately needs folks who can upgrade.

Hell, United desperately needs folks who can (and are willing to) upgrade. They are giving NBCA slots out in their intro classes - even forcing them on the eligible junior people. Seems a lot of people would prefer being the junior FO in a WB augmented crew and flying an overseas out and back three times a month and having to go to the sim for landing currency.

For second or third tier majors, it's hard to compete against instant upgrades to $332/hr as soon as they have 350 hours on property and the eventual opportunity to fly WBs at $413/hr.

What's the general morale of the pilot group at breeze right now? Riding a sinking ship? Things are looking up?

I'm interested in coming over, but seems like every couple of weeks some sort of piece comes out that Breeze is running out of money and time. Granted, it does seem these days quite a few 121 passenger carriers except for DL/UA/AA/SW are struggling.

General moral is....mehh. Yeah, i'm sure we are running out of money and time. Breeze won't go under, it will survive or be acquired. Too much firepower here to just go under.

If you live in base, you will have some of the greatest lines in the industry once your a lineholder. If you commute, you will have the absolute worst QOL in the industry. Also, we are currently getting rid of the Ejet, so lots of senior pilots are transitioning to the 220, creating a negative relative seniorirty progression for the next 12 months.

Good to know. I'm currently at a regional and not flying, at all (less than 10 hours in last 2 months). So was hoping to go somewhere I can build more time and possibly ugrade at and get PIC time if the Big 3 slow down hiring, or if things get more competitive down the road. But If I'm just gonna swap out commuting to reserve to not fly for more or the less the same, I'll just stay put!

There’s just been that one article, not sure about every few weeks. You’re thinking of APC. Take the info on here with a grain of salt, it represents the extremes of the pilot groups. Waiting for a call or not, you’d be crazy to stay at a regional vs coming here. As far as morale? Amazing if you live in base. Commuting? Probably doable if you’re an hours flight from a base. My seniority number hasn’t moved up much at all, people are staying.