aldonite7667

Your comparisons regarding people and FedEx are too literal. People have value; and more people have more value. FedEx carries cargo which has value and more cargo theoretically has more value.

Jetblue has been living in the post 911 pilot economy, that has changed and so has the value of our profession. Jetblue management has had every opportunity to pay and treat its pilots as a valuable part of the "team" but they have fallen short every single time, even as the group threatens to unionize the ELT claims, "they get it" and they will work on it now. Instead, They used that time as "bought and paid for" to further chip away at what our pilots currently have and fall far short of what the industry has as a standard.

As a non-union carrier it is incumbent upon the ELT to give BETTER pay and benefits than unionized carriers if they wish to stay non-union. That is common sense and if that had happened no one would be on here telling pilots not to come and work for us. Instead our pilots have been beaten over the head with "takeaways" and cost increases.

Flightnurse

As a former nurse I do not agree. Medicine and nursing are two different professions. I could not do a physicians job but he/she could not do mine.

I do not find any parallel between a pilot and a bus driver other than both are in a transportation field. You could use the same analagy when comparing a professor of computer engineering and the geeksquad at Best Buy. Both deal when computers, but they are completely different careers.
We have no need to compare ourselves to other professions. The education and licensing requirements to get to this level make us professionals
In the same way patients want a professional nurse or physician looking after them they want and expect a professional pilot flying them.

aldonite7667

Exactly my point!

flyguyniner11

Man talk about a drift in a thread!

Lobaeux

Yeah, I was hoping to hear about what JetBlue is looking for in their prospectives, what the interview process is like, training, bases, pay and upgrades.

I can read off of the JetBlue QuickTake, but I'd like to hear from JetBlue pilots.

aldonite7667

If you are looking for what JB pilots think then read this thread over very carefully. All other info can be found on will fly for food. Ask specific questions and you will get the best answer I (and many others) can muster up.

Keep in mind, no one on here wants to look like a company hater or a salty grumpy guy but sometimes what is happening comes off that way.

Lobaeux

I'm quite aware no place is perfect and reading what JB guys say on here is enlightening and highlights the fact that most enjoy the work place, but there are problems they believe can be fixed.

What bothers me, and this was quite evident in the Virgin America thread, are guys that dont work at a particular airline trying to bring that place down, or sitting on their high horse, sniping, because they feel theyre at a better place or make $10-20 an hour more. Those are the guys that sicken me, I'm glad they got their dream job, not everyone is that lucky.

I'm in the process of reading all the WFF posts, JetBlue's investment reports, everything I can about the airline, just like I am with every where else. I'm sure I'll come up with some questions.

Thanks!

PotatoChip

(I'll take a significant portion of blame for thread jacking.)

I'm another who would love to work at JetBlue. It does get frustrating that a majority of people who post seem to be the most negative. I appreciate all of the info, regardless however. I love the product JetBlue offers, and have always enjoyed jumpseating on them. Further, I've repeatedly listened to customers have great compliments (not something I hear while on United).

What concerns me the most is the recent talk of JetBlue becoming a place one does not want to retire from. I know a lot of pilot requests have seemed to fall on deaf ears in management, and that they have had repeated opportunities to show the pilot group they are valuable, but is there any sign of improvement here?

JetBlue's domiciles are another huge draw. I am just not going to start somewhere new having to commute. I'd happily live in Boston or Florida. However, I have no desire to go through another training program, another type ride and another seniority list climb if I am just going to leave again anyway.

Is there any reason to stay at JetBlue through retirement at this point?
Thanks.

aldonite7667

Potato,

Funny story, when I first got out on the line a chief asked me, "so what do you think of JB"? I replied, "it's the most expensive job I've ever had". He was puzzled. You will see what I'm taking a out when you get here.

First things first, No need to worry about a type ride. SIC only rating till you upgrade. This is a Big point of contention with some pilots. I have 6 type ratings so no biggie to me.

You will be able to get Boston immediately, a Florida base will take quite a bit of time to even hold a reserve sched.

Retirement, get another plan because you will not have an adequate retirement account from JB to do so.

The biggest complaints are lack of adequate retirement, health insurance, STD/LTD, work rules, PTO. And now payrate given the increase other carriers have seen. (So really everything but the guy sitting next to them).

I almost forgot the blue tsa shirt Circa 1998. Guys hate them, even used car salesmen upgrade their wardrobe every decade.

In short, no ones stopping you; come and get it. But when you are out of training and you fly the line for a month you are going to get it and I want you to think of this thread.

I left a really good job to come here and kind of feel like I got sold. I wish I did more independent research and I wish I listened more closely to the "nay Sayers". This job will make you old quick.

Good luck!

txbusdriver

Read this again. Read it out loud and if you are married let your spouse read it too. This the most honest assessment of JetBlue I have read in a long time.