Only it's not the same. There is no such thing as a line. No one is entitled to a position, or a spot in some line, based on their perceived experience. I have repeatedly tried to work for companies that would rather hire a fresh graduate from a top school instead of myself, with years of experience in my field. That's just life and there are always people that have an easier path to your goal, but that alone does not make it wrong and I don't resent those people.

How many of those same pilots would have jumped on this opportunity had it been available to them when they were starting? Do you really think they would have thought "Nah, I'd rather fly at the Regionals for seemingly endless years while enduring poor QOL and struggling to pay back my training loans, so I can pay my dues!" Give me a break.

Is the position from more experienced folk really "Well, they didn't suffer like I did so we won't respect them". Come on. Aviation training in America needs a re-birth, the profession is suffering at the entry-mid level (although improving somewhat); whether this program will succeed or not is yet to be known, but give credit to JetBlue for at least trying something new.

People that flow through this program are earning their position (which JetBlue gets to decide), albeit in a different way. They are paying for their own training, earning the same ratings, and have to pass the same tests. If they flop, they drop, and they only have themselves to blame.

For those waiting for a call, take out your frustration on greedy Management that has eroded the profession and helped foster an unhealthy Regional model, not on these guys wanting to jump on an opportunity.
The industry simply can't rely on people wanting to fly for nothing anymore, as evidenced by the weekly "PILOT SHORTAGE DOOM" articles that keep popping up.

To the OP: You really need to do your homework. There's considerable information on the web, these forums (and others), about interviewing with the airlines. Had you checked, you would have found sufficient answers, and would have known this particular thread would not be well received here.

 

Again, just like all 14 of your posts you fail 5o miss the point. YOU WILL NOT HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE TO FLY FOR A MAJOR AIRLINE. I'M TIRED OF THIS PILOT SHORTAGE DOOM and gloom. We get thousands of apps with qualified people every 6 months for 250 slots a year. There is no reason for this program at all. 20 pilots a year? Doesn't do a thing. I'm not a babysitter and none of the other captains are either. WE ALL HATE THE PROGRAM AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL THAT TAKES THIS ROUTE WILL BE A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEIR LINE OF THINKING IS SHORTCUTS

 

That about sums it up.

Grim04 mic drop. 👍🏼

 

Recurrent CP brief: 6700 apps for 250 slots this year. No need for this garbage.

 

Instead of raging with your caps-lock on, please ask your employer (I assume you're a CA with JetBlue) why they're creating this program and inform me, and others, who are interested in this and similar programs. You seem to know something they don't and I hardly doubt they're willing to create useless programs for no reason other than to simply to anger the current pilot group. Let us know what they say.

Also, what you are saying about all pilots hating this program is simply untrue, evidenced by the responses from current pilots in the other thread and on other forums.

The only reasonable argument you have made so far is that there are other, more experienced pilots available today, which I agree with, although it's a moot point as the situation may change in five years (and hours alone do not guarantee you a position...). What will the situation look like in four years? Ten years? What will the situation be like then? My understanding is the program is designed to safeguard against a looming problem, not a current one.

If one of those experienced pilots with an app currently on file at JetBlue (and the other 10+ or so Major/Legacy airlines) doesn't land a job at a major, do you really think it's because of 20 pilots hitting the line 5 years from now?

Applications on file aside, at what point is a pilot experienced enough to fly at a Major? You drive this point continuously but can never provide data or examples. Why doesn't this apply to me if I fly an E-175 with Republic? Does the public know their Regional FO is not experienced enough to command the airplane safely? If that's the case then I won't fly on Regional aircraft anymore due to safety concerns.

I can't tell if the anger is that there are pilots with more hours already on file today, or that the program will create unsafe pilots.

 

There are guys that got hired at regionals before the new rules with 500 hours, made captain and moved on. Some didn't even make captain and came here. Others spent a long time as captains at other carriers, some did the military route. I personally don't see this program much different then a guy paying to go through an aviation program, instructing, and going to an airline. However many many.... many others do. I would say the majority of pilots here don't like and don't support the program. They all have reasons which they have said in many post. I agree that with all the qualified applicants this program is not necessary. This type of program belongs at the regional level. Jetblue or any other major or legacy is not, or will not be hurting for applicants in the near future, possibly ever. Please listen to this advice, if you go through this program you will never be accepted here if that has not been made clear by now. For the money they are charging you can go to all ATPs or a similar school, instruct, get your ATP, get a job, and if there really is a pilot shortage get on at a legacy or major realitivly quick. Even as the market is right now after a couple years at a regional you should have multiple job offers. Why limit yourself to just Jetblue, for the same time and money you could make yourself marketable to all the airlines. There is no way of knowing how things will be in 5-6 years. If you do this you will be forever mated with one company that might not be around. Look at airline history. These are things you need to learn. Please take your money and time to an aviation school and do it in a way to protect yourself. These are things current pilots know and have lived through. They're frustration comes in two forms. The program is not necessary and there are plenty and always will be many already qualified pilots looking for jobs. And second, you don't understand because your not a pilot. Actually the more I think about it, and this is about as blunt as I can say it, you are just plain stupid if you do this program. Why would any reasonable person not just pay for a real proven program and start building connections and experience to open the job possibilities to more than one airline.

 

I have tried to give you examples but you won't listen. Most pilots here do not approve of this proggram. I hate to burst your bubble, well I actually am enjoying it, but you still seem to think there isn't a difference between majors and regionals and there end lies your problem. You go to a regional to gain enough experience to handle many different types of situations you can't be taught.

As for why? We have no idea why they are doing it. You actually think management is open with us? That's funny. If you actually worked here you'd k in that they actually do things here to **** us off and try and make us think we aren't as important as we are to this airline.

My anger and the anger of MOST pilots here is for both of those examples. Yes I do think that it will impact more experienced pilots in 5 years. It has nothing to do with apps on file at this time.

I'm gonna say this 1 more time. Anyone going through this program will not be welcome here. We have a program that takes a few pilots that fly for cape air. They have more experience flying in weather, with passengers at major airports etc etc. That program works just fine. There is no need to start a babysitting program.

 

I have graduated high school and was recently named employee of the month at Walmart. JB still has not called me after a month. I am so tired of paying my dues. When do I get to be a pilot?????

 

I think the issue might be, that these 6700 apps are also on file at AA, DAL, UAL, FDX, UPS, and the other LCCs. The supply will dwindle quickly IMHO.

 

I'm not a huge proponent of the program RIGHT NOW. However, in 5 years, the pilot shortage MAY materialize, and if our contract is industry standard or better, I may be for the program then. It's 4-5 years before these guys will hit the line, and who knows what the hiring picture will look like then. I don't believe we'll have even a quarter of applications on file then as we do right now. If you're QOL isn't increasing then because we can't find warm bodies to fill the seats and we can't grow, you will complain that management didn't do enough to remedy the situation. If you're being honest with yourself, just admit that you don't want somebody else to have an easier path than yourself. It may not be the chief reason for your rejection of the program, but I'll bet it's at least in the top 5.