Jet Blue Pilot Pool
 

I'm in the last group of dudes who interviewed with JB, and were hired. Anyone have any idea how many are in the pool? I am planning to apply to push my military retirement date back from Sep to next spring. Wondering if anyone has any idea when training might start up again, how many might be in each class, and approximately how long it would take to get to the bottom of the pool? Thanks..BB

I wouldn't be too hasty to make that request. I wouldn't be terribly suprised if they ran a class in october. Then again, it may be april... But dont get yourself in a position where you'd have to turn down a class....

Hi Bill ... I'm in the pool too. I retired from USAF in Feb of this year -- the timing looked pretty good 8 months ago, but not so much now.

I don't think the pool is very big, though. I interviewed Mar 26, and I think it wasn't long after that when they told folks with interview dates not to come for their scheduled interviews.

Hey guys first of all thank you for your service to our country! I've been at Blue since February & coming from a regional airline background I'm loving life here. I must interject though and ask, why the hurry to leave the service? This industry is a total clusterf*ck...I'd give anything for some true stability in this industry. If you don't mind me asking were you planning on staying in the reserves, etc after leaving as a backup to the screwed up airline business? Just thought I'd throw that out there and again thank you for keeping up safe.

As of current summer flying projections we are over man by 300 guys.there probably wont be a class for a while unless there are some major developments like some company going under and oil falling.

cgt pilot, have you send you JBPA card yet? If you haven't please do us all a favor and send it in now.

thanks in advance

BB,
I have to agree with cgtpilot. Stay in. I'm here too. Have heard the same over-manned talk. Don't see the economy bouncing back anytime soon. I'm still in the reserves and looking to get probably mobilized for next year -- better money (I'm year 2) as well, plus sit back and wait while the industry recovers. Plus, if you're hired and awaiting a class, they shouldn't have any issue with a mil extension either. Good luck.

...and I sent my card in 4 months ago...

First, welcome to JetBlue. I have only been at JetBlue for four months on the A320. I am ex-military, too. I recommend contacting the People Department/Pilot Hiring if you have questions. You may have already done that, but they were very informative and quick to respond to my issues when I transitioned. Its a good pilot recruitment team here. Its also a strong pilot group. You'll like the personalities on the flight deck.

I separated (not retired) from the USMC. I had similar challenges when I left 5 months ago. My airline job sit was not settled when I separated. I have a reserve flying job so I didn't change my timeline. I would have picked time up at the reserve job if I needed it. If you are only separating, its a fairly small commitment to the military to keep "weekend warrior" affiliation and it certainly has its immediate benefits in this chaotic industry.

As for the fall, I have not heard/read about a date for new-hire class resumption. Unfortunately, I imagine the company will evaluate the summer market conditions and competition before assigning new training dates. There are B6 guys on this board, though, who are much more in the know than me. Good luck.

Guys,

For those of you not from a mil background, it's not as easy as "just stay in". Deployments, PCS, schools, etc are all reasons to get out regardless of what your future holds. I think most will say at least get a guard/reserve job, but by all means GET OUT!!!

(stepping off the soap box) That does suck with the hiring for now though. Hopefully things will improve. From what I hear SWA will be hiring again before the end of the year, so if you don't have your type rating...

Cheers,

GNH

Obviously everyone has the right to their own opinion. Most everyone on this thread is mil or former mil. If its a matter of only another 6 months, again, I would stay in. Reserves or Guard is not an option for this guy as he is RETIRING. If the people dept has no problem with it, extend while you can unless you have another job you can do in the meanwhile waiting for JBLU-- plenty of short term contractor jobs for guys with your experience level out there. Help tide you over with your retirement check as well.

Good luck to you. Hopefully you make the right decision for you and your family.

Bill, talk to the people department and tell them that you're considering extending until next spring.
Personally, I'd opt to extend until next spring. If JBLU's overmanned by 300, they're not likely to have newhires any time soon.

Don't be hasty though - how long do you have to change your retirement date?

Bottom line is we are not overstaffed by that much... until the next wave of big announcements. Is that going to happen? The rumors are a-flyin, but who knows.

Spaz

Actually, the reserves will hire an AD retiree...I know of a couple of guys who have done it. Not sure about the guard.

I'd heard of it, but don't you forfeit your pension at that point?

Not too sure how it all works out...pretty sure it's something along those lines tho.

JB is dumping used and new airplanes. You shouldn't count on too much growth. Dumping 'old' airplanes and taking on 'new' ones is okay for the bottom line but doesn't equate to growth.

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The 190 fleet is still taking new deliveries while keeping the "old"ones, so JB will have a measly gain of 9 planes on 08, but can't remember 09. not too much growth at all, specially on the bus side.But again, next quarter we should get the actual numbers and how over man we are.

Hey guys.

I'm a JBlue'r and I just spoke with a CP. Word he has is no more hiring for 08 (old news) and almost certainly nothing for 1st quarter 09. More than likely no hiring until maybe mid 09.

Nothing official and of course things are always subject to change, but that's the latest word I have.

Good Luck,

S.

Furlough in the fall... stay away!

Since they are not hiring, that shouldn't be too hard. :rolleyes:

Fellas..thanks very much for your information. There really is not a good answer to all this, other than drop the price of oil by about $50..funny one, I know. Capoetc, I interviewed on Mar 26 also..congrats to you. After communication with another buddy who interviewed in Feb and was hired, I believe there are about 11 in his group; I think there are about 14 in our Mar group. There may be another group I haven't accounted for. So, big WAG, but think there are approximately 25-40 in the pool. I am looking at multiple options, including slipping my RET date, applying for an ART position (10th AF/CC is currently totally opposed to AD retiree to AFRES transitions, but he changes out this summer), and of course the dreaded non-flying job. Would be great to get updates if any of you JBers out there hear any hiring/manning news out on the line. Cheers..BB

Congrats to you too, Bill. My wife is having a hard time understanding how come I keep getting hired by airlines and still not having a job ...:)

Capotec..I understand exactly what you are saying. As my AF friend, currently furloughed from UA, put it..the love of flying is a curse. Not truely, but it sure is hard to say "no" to showing up to fly that 100 ton hunk on iron, level off and feel the awesomeness of being airborne once again. Also, as my class commander at UPT put it (and this applies so much to life in general), timing is everything and there is no justice. We all have a story; it is amazing that so many aviators with so much dedication to the love of flying continue to commit themselves to an industry as violatile and unforgiving as the US airlines. Wishing all out there a great and blessed Memorial Day..BB