JetBlue does a terrible job communicating with poolies. They know that and have been critiqued numerous times by JetBlue pilots and interview committee members. They won't change because they do not want to. I know a guy who was on the interview committee. He volunteered to do all of the leg work to send periodic emails to poolies to keep them in the loop and to just say, "Hi...we haven't forgotten about you...if you have questions, call." He was shot down.

This should be your first indication of many to come that JetBlue does everything on the cheap and does not always exemplify their own core values. It is a very immature company in many ways. There will be many other indicators along the way during your first year that the company isn't all rainbows and hugs like they want you to believe. Ask the new hires who can't get a uniform coat for months and are based in NY or BOS during the winter...then criticized if they wear their civilian coat. This isn't a new problem either...they've been told this many times. Why does JetBlue have a new Flight Attendant interviewing pilot candidates (with the pilot rep)? This is absurd! Just a couple examples....

Just saying to beware...Yes, it's a job flying shiny bigger jets, but it's not a job at the big leagues yet. Don't be satisfied with marginally better...keep working to make it a better company.

So its a three person interview now? Pilot, HR and a FA?
That must be new. {IF TRUE}

I get that's not the priority. And I'm not trying to bash the company or the interview process- I'd love to work there and would start this afternoon (no, really). Again, my situation is unique. I was at a 142 operation that scheduled clients far in advance with the mentality that, "If we can't count on you to be here...good luck going back to line flying."

As has been mentioned, the pool process is not a guarantee. The background checks are all in (according to the third party vendor they use). If it's just a matter of scheduling a class they should be able to predict that - yes, you're hired, see you next year (or whenever, but you're "in"). The issue comes when someone swims in the pool for months (or a year) and then is told...TBNT. If that's the case, you've got my stuff, tell me now and cut me loose. The pilot hiring committee has probably already stamped yea or nay on a slew of candidates.

Realizing that it is what it is, my original question was: is it now "ok" to get another gig (even contract work in a biz jet) while swimming in the pool even though my background checks are complete? What about a 121 op? Do I now need to re-run my background check? Catch-22. I've tried to get an official answer - no response.

Good words. Unfortunately, this is the way many companies, not just airlines, treat their new hires. Not all are like that, but B6 is.

Regarding the last paragraph - by all means, continue to pursue opportunities within your current employer or others as if the B6 job is not happening [though I'd avoid any sort of training contract, of course]. If it comes through, great. If it comes through and you like your current job, better. It's business.

Yes, it's true (like I would make it up or something)

This is not new...it's been going on for years. Most of the time there is one pilot and one HR rep who looks like a 20-something intern. When there aren't enough 20-something interns, they use FAs. In one very recent case, the FA had been at JB only a few months. So, yes, you are being judged by a pilot (mostly), but you are also subject to the criticism of someone who knows very little about pilot roles and responsibilities.

Compare that to an interview at Delta: Delta has one very senior pilot, one retired Captain and an HR rep who is VERY experienced...30+ years in the airline business. You can see an immediate difference in the level of professionalism. Again, just another indicator in the level of airline maturity.

This is just the way it is here.

Don't worry about this at all. The "other" party is there as a second set of ears. The pilots have the final say in who moves on to phase II.

When I was hired it was a BOS 320 CA and a flight attendant who did my interview. My exit interview was with HR. Was that different from everyone else?

I guess I didn't know that.
Mine was a 190 captain and an HR rep.
I stand corrected.

I didn't say you were wrong.
I just had a different experience.
I don't agree with a fa having anything to do with interviews.
Good thing you will be at that PROFESSIONAL airline soon.

JetCheap. Low cost at any cost...to you!