I know I’m taking a huge risk of stirring up a hornets nest by resurrecting this thread but here goes. My son was just offered a June class date for the Gateway Select program. As a proud father (and SWA captain) I’m a little nervous about how he’ll be received by the pilot group having ‘jumped’ directly to the right seat if/when he completes this program. I am hesitant but it is his choice. Without starting a new thread on JB pilot’s feeling with the recent AIP I have to say I’m less hesitant. I’ve really enjoyed talking to all the JB pilots that have ridden on my jumpseat and believe y’all have a great product but Papa needs to hear the honest truth. Thanks in advance.

 

As a SWA captain (maybe), you should know well how he'll be received.

 

I’ve read it but it’s a little dated. Wasn’t sure if feelings have changed. Honestly, there are pilots here at SWA that are asking why we aren’t offering the same type of program as the ‘talent’ pool diminishes. I’m not here to offend. Just hoping he’s making a good decision...

 

I don't think this program will give you a more talented pool to choose from. It will actually do the opposite, IMHO. You have many qualified pilots out there being passed up, and to give someone with grossly less experience is just wrong. You have to do what you feel best for yourself, and live with whatever criticism comes with it. I'm sure many here still feel unfavorably about the program.

 

Thanks for the reply. He’s a hard working ‘kid’ with thick skin and all I can do is support his decision. I wish y’all the best on your upcoming vote!

 

Please. Airline hiring has never been solely or even remotely close to picking only the most experienced candidates.

I think it's fair to criticize the program, but if your son is a good pilot ultimately nobody will care. If he's so-so, they'll blame him and the airline for putting him there.

 

I would NEVER do this program right now...no way!

Pretty soon AA/DAL/UAL, etc. will be forced to HIRE off the street, pay for ALL your training, and pay you to be trained! Just like the military...

If you don't want to wait that long, then get your training somewhere else, it will cost about half as much. AA has a program where they will help you with some of the costs, then take you into Envoy/PSA/Piedmont where they have direct flow thru to AA.

UAL has a program where they and Lufthansa hire you, after your CFI, to train LH cadets in AZ, until you reach your ATP mins, then you go direct to UAL, bypassing the regionals.

Mountain Air Cargo has a program where you will interview at FedEx BEFORE any other applicant.

There are a lot of -135 and corporate departments hurting bad...all you need is your Commercial to start there, and then move up to the regionals/majors.

The JetBlue program's problem is it's VERY expensive, and they want you to spend YOUR money.

Good luck, and Namaste...

 

Wow, really?!?! Thanks for that obvious bit of info. You seemed to have missed the point completely. In case you are unaware, there is more to being a pilot than just having good flying skills. Like I said, the more qualified have more experience.

 

My two cents:
I don’t respect one piece of this program nor do I respect anyone who is a product of it. When they are sharing a flight deck I will not consider them a peer and will view them as a cadet/ab initio/“b scale” pilot. I am not interested in their stories about how they bought a job.

With that being said- I don’t fault them in the least for capitalizing on an opportunity.

 

I don't want to babysit anyone in the cockpit and I doubt most captains do either. If I have to babysit someone the whole time it'll either be a call to prostans or calling off the trip.