Hi everyone,

Hoping to join the team eventually but hoping to learn a little more about "junior life" at JetBlue.

I assume JFK and BOS are both attainable out of training? What are the major QoL differences between A320 and E190?

How many months of reserve to be expected. What does a monthly reserve schedule look like? How many duty days? All long call? short call? Other? Is there aggressive pick-up? How does it work?

What can a junior line holder expect? what does a typical trip look like? How many duty days? How much credit?

Lots of questions but perhaps someone could share some insights.

Thanks,
AB

 

No there's nothing like that.

 

Both JFK and BOS seem to be typically the only bases available to new hires, if you don't get the one you want out of training then you can get the other within 6 months. A320 has less legs per day (1 or 2 flights) than e190 but a lot of red eyes.

Obviously, experience may vary but my experience over a year has been:
Reserve seems to run about 6 months until you can get a line (in these junior bases), less if you bid a hybrid line (mix reserve and hard line). I find that you get used very little on reserve, 1 or 2 trips a month. For that reason I bid reserve although I can hold a line.

The reserve lines seem to typically have 13-14 days off (depending how many prl days (extra days off) that they add). Your first day of a reserve block can be long call but rarely. Pretty much always 2 hour short call. Very rare to get called at the 2 hour point, happens once every few months. Reserve blocks can be from 6 to 3 days on with min 2 days off between blocks.

There is aggressive pick up, request trip the day prior before 7 am. I did it once so I wouldn't go over 90 days without 3 t-offs and ldgs. Reserve assigned trips (JFK Airbus) from open time are typically 24 hr Caribbean overnights (sti/bqn/kin/pos) with a red eye home or a transcon (JFK to lax/smf Etc) with red eye back but can be anything if someone calls in sick.

Junior line can be anything depending on your bid, I seem to get 4 day all transcon (1 flight per day JFK-Sfo-BOS-sfo-JFK) for 24 hour credit. Or a 2 day with 2 flights per day for 14 hour credit. The couple times I bid for a line I bid for max days off and got 14-16 days off and around 80 hours credit. Lots of trip trading options available (both moving your days off and type of trip).

 

I do agree with Irish. I will add my .02 for BOS. I live in base and am on reserve, which, living in base is wonderful. I probably will not get a line until 1.5 yr+ on property in BOS, as I am still 2 from the bottom since last August. Make no mistake, I am not complaining at all! I enjoy B6, a lot. You will like it here.

 

Thanks for the detailed info. Much appreciated.

I have no doubt I will like it. Just trying to paint a picture for other people in my life on what to expect.

Maybe you could indulge some additional questions....

What is the trip mix in general (for line holders)? Mostly 4 days? or pretty varied? I assume locals and 2 days tend to go more senior? Do you have Continuous Duty Overnights (or stand-ups or sleepy trips or whatever you may call them?)

On the four day example you mention above I assume you get back early the last day because of the red-eye. So you are 3 nights away but get back to base and released in the am?

Thanks
AB

 

Pretty good summary, however Airbus reserve is running more than 6 months right now, I would say it is closer to a year now. If you want to get off reserve ASAP, E190 JFK is the way to go.

 

Are they done making calls for interviews. I've noticed people have already been assigned July class dates.

 

How long is JFK 190 reserve these days, a month?

 

The trip mix for 320 JFK/Bos and 190 Bos are pretty varied, all pretty big bases.

There are a lot of senior local and commuting guys in both bases so....Day trips pop up all the time during the month, especially a day or two out as guys trade.

There are a few continuous duty overnights but very few. They used to be common (island turns JFK-island-JFK) but since 117 they've basically gone away. You don't typical see them in open time. Most open time is unproductive 3 days , late night either to the west coast or the islands and come back the next night. Not productive but good for reserve if you want to commute home on day 3.

You're not really usable after those based on your late start the night prior....so yes, after a red eye you go home.

 

Yes, 1-2 months