TristarJS30

Are employees not allowed to be concerned over the health, future or direction of the company they work for, especially in an industry where starting over isn't as easy as walking next door and applying to "Company X"?

This place has been in a holding pattern for so long with NO signs from management that they have a plan for the future. Everything has been delayed, stagnant, or reduced in the past few years. Any little positive sign that they have a PLAN for this place is good news, especially for people who have over 20 or 25 years left in this business and have decided to stay.

It's all related to the contract. If the company announces they are going to buy a new fleet, they'll need a new pilot contract if they want it flown.

Just because we're angry and want a contract doesn't mean we need to stifle any other sort of conversation in our free time. I'd hate to fly a trip where the conversation was limited to contract negotiations for 4 straight days.

Should I not discuss the NHL playoffs on my next overnight because I need to focus on the contract?

And before you fire off an angry post, I've been through 2 bankruptcies, a merger, and a furlough. Just because a company dangles a carrot doesn't mean we'll fall for it... or are barred from discussing it.

CaptCoolHand

Oh dear god forbid as pilots... we multitask.

If you don't care... don't read it. Since EVERY single other thread is what you want. Flame thrower off...

pilotpayne

If only pilots were good at multitasking.
This is such a lazy argument, you can’t think about two things at once?

I’m ready to strike yet at the same time I want my company to be very successful.....wow mind blown right?

To me what we are going through right now is a phase a very important phase (our contract) but one that at some point will end.
Fleet planning is a huge deal get it wrong and the company could be screwed and our great contract won’t be worth much if jetblue does not exist.

I don’t think it’s guys jumping up and down saying new planes but guys educating themselves about what the company is doing. Just like negotiations, they ask us to stay informed and this is just staying informed about what the company is planning (as much as we can anyway)

David Puddy

I don’t think about it solely from a fancy new ride or SJS perspective (although it certainly would be nice: http://www.worldairroutes.com/airbalticcs300.html). Instead, I think about it from a capability perspective and what it can do for an airline in terms of growth and profit options. What is the proposed mission profile? What new routes could it open - and do so profitably? Ultimately, under a new contract, one would “assume” more profit would also translate into better employee compensation... But I won’t hold my breathe.

Regardless, the CSeries is a performance game changer and JB could use it to expand into new markets using a very business-passenger friendly interior. Holding on to the higher margin business traveler is critical for profits - so you need frequency of service and an appealing product. Using MINT-equipped A321s and fuel efficient CS100/300s could be a profitable combination. Will be interesting to see how these negotiations play out...

hilltopflyer

Wouldn't that be nice. I just want to seem like this management team has a rudder on this ship.

TristarJS30

Contract discussions aside, a little bit of direction from above would go a long long way.

David Puddy

What choice does Robin have? The status quo ain’t working. Spirit, Frontier and SWA continue to make inroads and expand their fleets. The market is getting more saturated with more large and low-CASM regional aircraft like the E175 and CR9 - they are clogging up our airports.

How will JB define itself going forward? As a public company, how will it maintain growth rates and profit figures - especially after an improved pilot contract? Will the current fleet (including the ageing E190) be sufficient to drive growth and maintain profits? It doesn’t look like there are many merger options in the near term - so, growing organically using a more capable and efficient fleet is likely a priority.

hilltopflyer

Makes sense to us. But to the company only thing that matters is $$$.

Softpayman

Which is why they're replacing the 190's even though they still have life in them. Both the C Series and E2 expand opportunities and lower operating costs. I'm sure they'd like the C Series, the question is at what price.

LoudFastRules

The only thing upper and executive management at this company cares about is pulling money out of the corporate ATM machine.

When that ATM runs dry, they go find a new one.