JetBlue Gateway Select Pilot Training
 

Hello everyone I was recently selected to move forward with the JetBlue gateway select program. Does anyone know any pros & cons of this program? Also, does anyone know anything about the assessment you have to take 3 weeks within receiving the offer to move forward? Thanks for any replies. I know the program is 110K, which from my position with 0 hours isn't far from any other flight schools (like ATP) where I can go from 0 hours to flying commercial airliners.

It's ridiculously expensive, and takes way too long. Why not just go local and spend less than half, and finish way quicker too?

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The advantages...

1. You quickly get a job at a decent LCC, rather than slugging through the regionals.
2. You can have a nice career at JB if necessary for some reason.
3. You can apply to the big six, especially the big three, once you get some 121 time.

Downsides...

1. Could be done cheaper, although skipping the regionals is worth something IMO.
2. The flip side of coin #1 is that by skipping the regionals you're going to build 121 time slower than at a regional. Also upgrade will most likely take significantly longer, and that 121 PIC is key to moving on to the big boys. I don't know aht movement at JB is like, but I know they must be a fairly young pilot group so upgrade might take almost ten times longer than at a regional.
3. You might be inclined to stay at JB. Don't do that (assuming you're young). The big three will offer waaaay more opportunity long-term.

Thank you for this! As I've seen more about regionals and how underpaid they are and can't even afford rent, that plays a huge role as to where I want to go. ATP and other smaller flight schools are my back up to this but ATP is a bit pricey as well, along with the speed which is great! But I heard the ground school is not that good and you're typically rushed through by the instructors.

That is my back up after comparing my other options to this program. My biggest fear is obtaining my PPL, then trying to figure out how to build my hours with out the help of an instructor job, etc.

I'm assuming this isn't good lol

The current environment is such that you can get a CFI job pretty much anywhere in the country right now.

If jetblue is your career destination, then this program would be pretty good. If your goal is to hit the majors, I would recommend against this program, as you wouldn't hit 1000 TPIC for at least 10 years, and wouldn't be able to take advantage of the extensive retirements/movement.

My end goal is to actually work for one of the US majors. But my question after that would be where to go with 0 hours to be able to get to a major airline, hopefully avoiding the underpaying regional airlines.

Good to see their selection criteria is still top notch. You applied for and were selected to move forward in a program you know virtually nothing about, in an industry you know even less about?

All majors are not created equal. You have an opportunity to take advantage of vast numbers of retirements at three of the best six airlines in the world.

Normally JB would be a fine choice. Right now it's a consolation prize. Not sure that I'd pay $100K to miss the opportunities at the legacies right now. Regionals pay much better than they used to. But your choice either way.

Read my mind...

I'm not sure I follow- what do you mean where to go with 0 hours? Once you have 1000 hours in the left seat at a 121, then airlines might look at your resume. Before that, you'll need to be exceptional.

I applied a few years ago and took the assessment but did not move forward. But as someone else has said, this program takes way too long and way too expensive. If you have the means to get 110K for this, why not go to a "mom and pop" operation or some other professional pilot program (ATP is not the only one out there) and with a little hustle you can get through your CFI in about 12 months and get your minimums in another 15 months??? That Jetblue program is about 4 years, with all the movement going on that is just not the best route.

1500 hours in just over 2 years??? Is this common? It seems to me that working to support life while fitting in as many CFI hours as possible would put you to almost 24 months after I calculated it for my living situation. Rent, car, phone, utilities... and paying back the loan for the PPL/ME/Com/CFI/CFII all while working a job that pays 30ishK a year.

Well those who are uneducated on aviation/121 life are the only ones who would pay $100k+ for such a program, so I guess JB have it all figured out!

To the OP, if you want something similar check out Republic Airlines Lift Academy, same deal but for less than half the price.

Guaranteed job at a regional? Whatever that's worth, a job at a good LCC would be worth twice as much.

Right now I have 0 flight time.

Would you like to come to NC and teach me how to fly then? Since you seem to be the guru of the airline industry and I just know oh so nothing about the big scary airplane industry because I applied there...sure lol. It's not my only option, the point of the thread is for me to figure out which route is the best...FYI :cool:

Thank you!! I've been checking out some other local flights schools as another choice, why be in debt if I don't need to be?

Due to the significant movement at the legacies in the next 20 or so years, I believe that getting into a legacy ASAP is extremely important. Of course I cannot guarantee that you'll get picked up by a legacy or another 9/11-level of event will happen- but going through the CFI/regional route will have legacies start looking at your application in about half the time (my estimates are 8ish years for jetblue gateway, and about 4 years for CFI/regional route to get 1000 TPIC). You'll make more money going the Jetblue route, but personally I think that 4 years of seniority is worth significantly more, as in the projected hiring environment that could move you up 15-20% in seniority at some airlines.

I still suggest that you find a local flight school, put 110% into it, and aim to get your 1500 in like 2 years. It's definitely possible.

Then again - delaying your 1000TPIC by at least 5-6 years costs much, much more...

Update?
 

Did you go with Gateway Select? How did things turn out?

With the new AA partnership, does this mean that JetBlue's gateway select students would end up paying $120k and end up at a regional instead of staight to JB's +100 seater jets?

We all wish, but no.

Hopefully these programs that bypass hard working pilots who have been working in the industry for years end for good. No point in having them, it's too long of a process to endure through the regularly scheduled downturns. Hopefully Jetblue lost a lot of money in this folly.

I don't believe any students from the first wave that are now CFI's from the CAE training center have gone on to FO quite yet. Is that correct? Seems like they would be staying CFI's a while longer if that is the case.

Plus, unless they put JetBlue on a pedestal, it doesn't seem to really jumpstart their career outside of B6. One big factor is they miss out on essential TPIC time and experience from regional flying.
​​​​​