What is up with JetBlue?
 

I just hung up the phone after being on hold for 52 minutes trying to list for a jumpseat. If I relay this story to the "ask" desk, I get very little cooperation, they tell me to call the phone number. How did this company go from JS friendly to the worst in the business so quickly? And no I don't believe it's caused by their (new) reservation system. They have always been great to us and we continue to be great to them, but I'm out of cell minutes after 3 weeks of this garbage.

Sorry for your troubles. Here is my best advice: If you find yourself at JFK (or any other JB location) with no luck in getting help, seek out a uniformed JetBlue Pilot and I can almost assure you we will go out of our way to make sure you get a ride with us. We are just as frustrated with the limitations of our new system, but like anything else new, we have experienced teething issues. Some of our gate agents are finding the Sabre learning curve way too steep, and unfortunately, non-revs and jumpseaters (even JB employees) continue to feel the sharpest pain. If the situation does not improve for you, please let your j/s coordinator know and he (or she) will make our j/s committee aware. As a fellow commuter, I am sorry to hear the experience has been less than ideal for you. Good luck!

If its ok with you I would like to copy this and pass it right on to the person in charge of jumpseating.

Critiqueing other airline's jumpseat/non-rev procedures is always a touchy subject, so I'll try and ease the blow by stating that up to now, I've had nothing but great things to say about commuting on JetBlue. From the ticket and gate agents to the pilots and F/A's, they've always been helpful and accomodating. I'll never forget the JFK agent who saw me running up to the last flight of the night and without a word from me, hustled me down the jetway and re-opened the door. Whatever competitive issues we might have as airlines, I've always been a vocal proponent of JetBlue's treament of OAL crewmembers and voiced that to any fellow pilots who would listen.

[Now I'll slip into whiny needy pilot mode]

I haven't needed to use JB for a ride in probably 9 months or so but this month's schedule made them a possibility and on day one of my last 4 day trip I tried calling Crew Support to list for a ride home. After 15 minutes on hold, I gave up. Over the next 4 days, I began the ritual of leaving the cell-phone on Speaker mode as I wandered around my hotel room packing my bag, shaving, watching HBO, etc. I listened to a lot of 'Elevator Music' on hold....in fact, I'm considering suing JetBlue for pain and suffering because for the last week I've been involuntarily humming Air Supply's "I'm all outta love, I'm so lost without you" over and over again. In the end I never did speak to anyone and totalled over 2 hours of hold time with the longest single session at 47 minutes. I was able to get home on my own airline, so no harm no foul I guess.

I certainly don't blame any JB pilots. However, commuting is such a pain that it was always a relief to use the Crew Support line because they made it so effortless. It would be a shame to lose that. I would advise any OAL pilot to not bother calling now and just take your chances listing at the airport. The agents won't be thrilled with you, but at least you'll be dealing with a human (hopefully one that doesn't sing Air Supply's greatest hits).

Heard that due to the log hold times, the gate agents will be allowed to list you again soon.

Thanks for the advice, a few of us have forwarded our experiences to our JS coordinator. We didn't do this as a form of head hunting so don't get me wrong. JB pilots, FA's and agents have been nothing short of excellent to me over the past 7 years. I don't mind if you copy my post for constructive purposes, just let WM (jump seat rep?) know that I am just trying to get to work, not trying to get anyone in trouble.

I haven't had an issue once listed. Yes it can take a good 45mins to an hour on hold. I usually putting on speaker and jam away to the music. I asked them why it takes soo long sabre, they told its because it doesn't save your info like Naviteer used to. So they have to start from scratch everytime.

I hate to say it, but I have had nothing but problems with JBU. Takes forever to list on the phone like most are saying here. The other day I did actually get through after 35 mins and then I got to the airport (JFK) and they told me I wasnt listed. I explained that I just listed and it took me 35 mins to do so... the agent then said to me "and how is that my problem?" I was like uhhhhhhh is this JetBlue or did I stumble into the Us Airways terminal by mistake... I so tried my luck at the gate and I was told pretty much the samething. I got back on the phone, missed the flight and listed for the next flight... went back to the service desk and was told I was not listed and they needed me to step aside. So I went to the gate and asked the Capt if there was anything he could do... He said nope.
I give up with JBU... and I have JBU guys J/S with me all the time... I totally understand its not the crews fault, but I have gone out of my way to get JBU guys on my plane... ballast, flying with the boards out etc etc
I will no longer go out of my way, because JBU never seems to for me.

I tried to ZED fare on Jetblue once. The agent at the ticket counter took my ticket even though it was a full flight. I told him I need that if I don't get on. He would not issue me a standby boarding card without keeping my ticket. I figured I would probably get on so I went to the gate. I figured no harm, no foul. Unfortunately, I didn't get on so I went back to the ticket counter to get my ticket. No one was there so I came back the next morning. I was told the ticket was already in the safe, and they gave me a number to call. I called for two weeks straight each time getting someone telling me to call back later. I finally gave up. My airline charged a $100 lost ticket fee and the ZED fare was only $70. I never did get my money back for a ticket I never used.

All of that being said, I still buy regular tickets on Jetblue if it's convenient and I really need to be somewhere. I will never Zed fare again on them though. I learned my lesson the first time.

I do not commute but I do carry a ton sooooo a pilot group letting something like this go on for more than a few days is not acceptable if they want to continue to ride on other peoples jets. We had a problem with agents closing the door 10 min early to push 5 early even though a non rev pilot was listed but not there yet, we raised a little stink-problem solved. During this time I would go up and make sure no one was trying to go I my jet (in the gate area) if there was and the agent didn't want to put he/she on I said fine you can fly this leg.