I think being non-union makes us more expensive, if anyone where to aquire us they would have to keep us on or pay out our entire contracts, if we have a CBA they could furlough as much as they want. Also scope is just around the corner so that is also gonna make us more expensive.

 

Its been tried, only 32% of the pilot group was in favor of it, I think if the vote goes out for ALPA it will be even less, I just hope the cards go out after we get scope so that way we don't enter the sterile phase before we get scope.

 

Elaborate more on scope since I'm clueless. Are we talking about potential outsourcing (XJT did some B6 flying for a while during the E190 start up period) or job protection from mergers/acquisitions?


jetBlue is a near perfect fit for me (despite the insanely long upgrade, but then again going to Delta is gonna be a near-decade upgrade, too), but one of my main concerns is the airline being bought, then having to start all over again.

 

A 10 year upgrade at a major airline is "insanely long"? Really?

 

No there are no talks of outsourcing, and our CEO wrote letter to all of us squashing the AA rumors, he said there is no talks, no looking, no chance, of JB merging with anyone, we have a uniqe culture and product and they want to keep it the way it is. As for the scope, the JB pilots don't want to see the same thing happen here that happen at Midwest, so we want scope. It will be along the same lines as Southwest scope, all flying will be done by JB pilots, No 50 seat scope, No 70 Seat scope, but I guess there will have to be 6 seat scope for cape air. As for the XJT flying, that was paid for by embrier because of MX issues with it, did not cost jetblue or its pilots a thing.
As for long upgrades at majors, it not as big of a deal at the majors, you actualy make a very livable wage so it does not suck as much to be an Fo, First year your gonna make about 50K, 65K second, 75K third and by 5th year you should make 6 figures. hope this helps

 

On the topic of a union providing protection during a change of company ownership, how did it work out for the pilots of Midwest Express? Is that a fair comparison?

 

And Usair east, TWA, Im sure there are many more.

 

At some point in time you can add jetblue to that list.

 

I think a 10 year pilot at Delta would be thrilled for a "near-decade upgrade". Most would have settled for a "near-decade" without a furlough. Seriously, even in the golden age of this profession, pilots often spent considerable time as FE's waiting to get to the right seat, let alone the left. But I guess everyone has their own perspective. Best of luck on the near decade upgrade.

 

That was meant tongue in cheek to the guys saying it'll be forever before you upgrade at B6. It'll be about the same length at Delta, SWA or other airlines, I know. In retrospect, I shoulda put quotes around "insanely."