Originally Posted by HeavyDriver

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?

Originally Posted by BeatNavy

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.

Originally Posted by Flyby1206

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.

Originally Posted by MSP7ERB

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

Originally Posted by ZipZap

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.