Airline Pilot Central Forums - Selected into JetBlue's ab initio program

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- - Selected into JetBlue's ab initio program (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/jetblue/94420-selected-into-jetblues-ab-initio-program.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavyDriver (Post 2106631)

Short cuts to the front seat has never been a good path. People have paid the ultimate price for incapacity or lack of experience. Darwin should have a chance to look you over a bit before your allowed to pilot an airplane with people riding in the back of it. At my airline I've seen many FE's with 10,000+ Hours panel time struggle at the flying part of the job, and these are experienced crew members. Also are you on the hook for the 125k if your not successful at the end of this training contract?

They still have to get 1500 hours and an ATP just like every other airline pilot. Plenty of people used to go into RJs with a not so good training program at 250 hours. My understanding is they will be sponsored in a more regimented program, but I thought they were still going to be flying in various commercial jobs as part of this program prior to becoming JetBlue pilots. He could get a regional job flying an e175 or a JetBlue job flying an e190 with the same qualifications and experience. This is just a more clearly defined and shorter path to get on with a better airline than a regional. Disclaimer: I think the program isn't a great idea seeing the thousands of qualified regional guys and military guys waiting for a call.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeatNavy (Post 2106668)

They only fly as CFIs before coming to JB

Gateway Select Training ? JetBlue Pilot Gateway Programs

With the vast pool of qualified candidates out there I doubt you will get a lot of respect from the guys that actually paid dues to get here, not just write a big check

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyby1206 (Post 2106603)

Yea, after he pays the $200 fee and has the stage 1 assessment. I was saying to do the medical exam right now before he goes any further in the process, but thanks for being a dicktard.

Geez, isn't someone sensitive. Your idea is brilliant. Go spend over $200 for full 1st class + EKG in order to save a $200 application fee. Either way it's a wash. Maybe you are an RJ FO and haven't taken a 1st class in a while but I got news for ya, my last one + EKG was $235. Have a nice day :rolleyes:

Well in phase two I was told I needed to augment my 9600 hours, 26 yrs flying experience, no accidents/incidents/violations or failures (ever), single pilot middle of the night MU2 check running experience, 121 CA time, FlightSafety program manager and GIV instructor, 15 safety presentations at National Business Aircraft Association events, myriad of published articles from 5 different aviation publications, and corporate experience in the 604, because my 125 hours on North Atlantic GIV contract work while instructing at FS in the last 12 months made my applicant questionable for success. The suggestion? I "go to a regional" for 200 hours. Which I did for 5 months at $400 a week. So excuse me if I'm a little jaded about this program.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSP7ERB (Post 2106698)

You doing it wrong. My 1st class + EKG was $60
I think you screwed it up here and try to BS your way out

Gateway pilots should probably not expect to actually fly at Jetblue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZipZap (Post 2106556)

I got past the first step of JetBlue's ab initio "Gateway Select" pilot training programming.

I knew the program got a lot of hate here ("I would never fly with someone who came from this program.") when it was first announced, so thought you all would be interested to put a virtual face to it!

I went to a good 4 year college, and currently work in a well compensated technology-oriented field. But I have always loved aviation, and frequently wonder if I should have focused on that instead.

In college, I took the Navy's ASTB (aviation standardized test) and did very well (think 95th+ percentile good), was accepted into OCS with a pilot slot, but was ultimately told I could not attend due to some unfortunate medical issues. I thought the aviation "bug" in me was put out then, but when I heard about Jetway Select I could not avoid applying to it.

So what does this wise board think? Good idea? Bad idea? Is this the worst thing to happen to piloting in America?

The full email is below.

Absolutely the worst thing that is happening. Will it be worth it to spend all that money to never touch the controls of an airline? We are still trying to get this abysmal program shut down. Hopefully with our new CBA it will address this in some way. maybe anyone that comes through the program gets put on a B scale pay wise at 15$ an hour. That should shut it down. So if you want to gamble go ahead but we will know who the specials are.

Pardon my ignorance about this JB ATPL program, but what do you end up with when training is complete? A frozen ATPL-type MPL license like they have in Europe?

The devil is in the detail, and I fear that JB management might take Ryanair's approach to pilot recruitment and employment which is not really mentally relaxing for the employee. There was a good article posted on pprune, I'll see if I can find it.

Regarding bankruptcy and your $125k in the hole, are those training expenses like your college debt?