Let us say you had a friend who has the following career decision to make:

Leave JetBlue after 6 months and go to Southwest, or offend SWA and stay at JBLU.?
Let’s say he/she lives about a one hour commute away from PHX, DAL and HOU.
Or a 6 hour, two leg, two carrier commute to JFK.
Doesn’t care for New York or anyplace in the NE for that matter.
Likes the A320 on a good day but knows that on a bad day it’s better to be in a Boeing.
Likes the JetBlue product and is somewhat shocked when commuting on dirty SWA Jets which seem to be going the way of New York subways.
Does not know what to think of SWA’s future after 2009. (Fuel)
Does not know what to think of any airline’s future, too.
Needs to get going with the retirement thinking after turning 40 and has not done anything towards that yet.
He/she basically likes JetBlue a lot and is worrying that SWA will turn into the next mega-legacy carrier where every employee is just a number in the system.
Likes schedule and pay at SWA.
Likes faster upgrade at JBLU having done the F/O-CA switch three times before.
Has many good friends at SWA from previous employment and knows how happy they are.
Has made many new good friends at JBLU and could feel like a traitor if leaving.
Does not mind hard work – long hours, turns – if offset by pay and time off.
Versus time wasted sitting in a crash pad.

I guess his/her position is not that bad, having to choose between the best two airlines in the country- but what would YOU suggest to my friend ?

 

SW is a proven winner. I personally believe JB has seen its' best days.

 

I'd jump to SWA in a heartbeat if I were in his shoes.

 

I know at least two people that have jumped from JB to SWA. Wouldn't be the first. Certainly won't be the last...

 

Most folks would not consider JB to be in that category, or even particularly close.

I'm sure SWA has a post-hedge plan. they did just great BEFORE the hedges too.

 

No disrespect to Jetblue but I think your friend should high-tail it out of there and go to SWA. SWA is a proven commodity and we're not going bankrupt after 2009. For the commute alone it's worth it. Also, F/O pay at Southwest is almost as much as captain pay at JBLU.

Just my opinion. Take care.

S.B.

 

No comparison between JetBlue and Southwest - call SWA tomorrow and get your class date.

 

A switch from JB to SWA is a jump from the minor league to the major.

 

Trust me, SWA will be around after their hedges expire in '09. That isn't even a question.

 

Don't walk....run!