Originally Posted by GuppyPuppy

Our last COO said in a conference call that we really need to look at where a potential pilot lives. For instance, if a candidate lives in Chicago he surmised that the candidate might not stay at JB and would try to get on at United, Southwest or American.

Originally Posted by Redbird611

See, this gets pretty frustrating. Some of us live in another airline's hubs because our current employer has a base there. Not every United Express pilot based in Chicago wants to work for United or stay in Chicago. Many are willing to relocate for the next job.

I had to answer for my current street address in every job fair and it got very frustrating. It didn't seem to matter that I was originally from somewhere else and was willing to move. I understand JetBlue's concern but they are going to screen out a lot of good people if they are going to be that simplistic. As someone else said the COO really needs to look at why people aren't staying, and I bet it has less to do with where people live than he thinks.

Originally Posted by Redbird611

See, this gets pretty frustrating. Some of us live in another airline's hubs because our current employer has a base there. Not every United Express pilot based in Chicago wants to work for United or stay in Chicago. Many are willing to relocate for the next job.

I had to answer for my current street address in every job fair and it got very frustrating. It didn't seem to matter that I was originally from somewhere else and was willing to move. I understand JetBlue's concern but they are going to screen out a lot of good people if they are going to be that simplistic. As someone else said the COO really needs to look at why people aren't staying, and I bet it has less to do with where people live than he thinks.

Originally Posted by GuppyPuppy

I totally get it and understand your (and other's frustration). I know people who live in a junior base for one of the Big 4 and have no interest in working for them. Doesn't even have an application on file with them.



I wish you the best.

Originally Posted by GuppyPuppy

Our last COO said in a conference call that we really need to look at where a potential pilot lives. For instance, if a candidate lives in Chicago he surmised that the candidate might not stay at JB and would try to get on at United, Southwest or American.



JB isn't having a difficult time hiring. Our problem is retention. We've had a domicile CP call a current JB pilot who had his Blue Dart hired. That Blue Dart then left the company for greener pastures. The CP was a bit upset with the current JB pilot for giving this guy a blue dart. Pilot told CP that he stands by his recommendation and that the CP needs to look at why the company couldn't keep such a good guy.



I understand both sides here. JB doesn't want to spend money training someone who will just leave within 2 years. The flip side is that we have a stagnation issue on our seniority list. Seniority advancement is heavily dependent on growth here at JB for the next 9 years, or so. At other majors it is mostly due to retirements. It is a business decision for each individual pilot and I get that.



With all that in mind, I really do think that JB is looking for pilots who are from the east coast, especially the northeast. I've flown with many young pilots here who want to stay because they don't have to commute. I think the only other airline with a BOS domicile is American and I understand that it is very senior. If JB can find a pilot from the BOS area it is more likely that he/she would stay as compared to a pilot from Los Angeles and such.



As for flight experience...jet time, glass time, or C402 driver from Cape Air.

Originally Posted by e6bpilot

A chief called a guy because his Blue Dart quit? That, in my opinion, is a chicken $h!t move on the Chief's part. Pilots are always going to do what is best for them and their families. I am not going to stick around an airline that is offering me a cross country commute for life and stagnant growth when someone else is calling my name.
The pilot's answer was right....this guy was awesome and YOU lost him. The company could have had this rock star for his career but they failed to appeal to him. Instead of calling people out, its probably time to look inward at pay scales, work rules, and other things that make pilots stay at stagnant airlines during periods of growth in the industry.
If a chief called me and asked me why one of my recommendations quit, I would hang up on him. Give me a break.

Originally Posted by Kellwolf

Although, to be fair, our last COO didn't really have a clue what was going on anyway. Hence the reason he's our "last" COO.

My 10 year old could see through his fuzzy math white boards......