I am 35 year old Capt on the B767 base CVG, I recently was offered a class at JetBlue in the A320, I need help deciding if I should take the JetBlue FO position base in JFK or stay Atlas Air , Base CVG.

CP

Where do you live?

What’s your ultimate goal?

JetBlue A320FO caps out pretty close to Altas 767 CA @ 12 year rates and JetBlue has a higher 401k DC/match vs low match. 12 year a320 CA and E190 CA pay more than Atlas 747 CA.

As slow as the contract negotiations are going, JetBlue’s management hasn’t sued the union twice... and isn’t looking to reduce the pay and Bennies (as much as they’d like to) like Atlas is looking to do (and seems to have historical precedent of being successful with).

You obviously applied to JetBlue for a reason. After doing the quick math I’d probably go JetBlue over staying at Atlas.

Agreed.

Atlas is years away from a new contract The lawsuit and arbitration will drag on and on. Meanwhile, you could be building seniority at a good airline.

Do you really want to fly 2 or 3 legs a day to crap overnights or sit R3 for Atlas/Amazon?

I barely cracked 130k last year in the same seat as you with probably a little more seniority. I'm sure plenty of fo's and almost all B6 captains make more than that. You'd have to think B6 is a lot closer to a new contract than 5Y too. Conclusion: go to JetBlue.

After reading the W2 thread in the Majors forum I was SHOCKED at how much the JB pilots made. Most of their F/O's (2nd year and beyond) made more than I did and I'm in your position. I never saw where anyone worked 17 days in a month either...

Oh yeah, and their management isn't suing their pilots or handing out $1000 F U gifts. Ill likely be putting my stuff in also.

Many years ago a guy from my new hire class quit right after OE to go to Jet Blue. We all thought he was making a mistake but by now he is a very senior captain and making bank compared to me. Having said that my NH class was 15 and less than 12 months later there was just 2 of us left. Man I'm such a loser.

At 35, you're still young enough to set your sights higher than Jetblue.
The legacies will be hiring for the next 10 years. If youre dyin at Atlas, then go to jetblue, but I would consider it a stone-step to a real job. B6 is way behind and is probably 18 months from any QOL/pay improvements. The company has notoriously bad reserve rules and with the sluggish movement, compared to the majors, youll be on reserve a while.
Check out the retirement/benefits- It sucks. Pm me if ya want.
Also consider the pay cut youll take going to 1st year FO pay at B6 {54/hr}
You could suck it up and just get to aa/ual/dal/swa without B6.
Good luck whatever you choose and you still have time.
Bz

How can anyone answer this for you with nearly zero info on anything about yourself?

Hello Coke , I am in the same position , working for Atlas and a career opportunity with JetBlue. I am taking this offer with JetBlue not only because the pay but because the other benefits, including but not limited to quiality of life, travel. Hope to see you in class.

Congrats VF32! Enjoy parole!

Also hopefully you’re senior to me!