What Would You Do?
03-12-2025 | 04:54 AM
#1
Thread Starter
On Reserve
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
What Would You Do?
Yet another "Stay or Leave" post.
I've been at B6 for coming up on 4 years now, based in MCO. I came here because I wanted to live in FL, and I didn't want to be furloughed. I'd been holding out on leaving because of fears of a furlough back when everyone in my class left. Now it's been years, and all my classmates that went to legacies are having a ball while we've been struggling to grow. I was feeling, a bit optimistic back when I thought we might gain Spirit's route network, but now that thats all fallen through and with all the downgrades coming, I just feel like I sold myself short. Now don't get me wrong, B6 has been good to me, but I'd be lying if I said I really look forward to the next 30+ years at this moment in time. Now with an april class date offer from UAL, I'm stuck wondering if the possibility of a furlough in the near future is worth the risk. The economy isn't looking great right now, and hiring is starting to slow down. I've got good senioriy at B6 with 1,200 below me, but I'm not sure if thats saying much when I fly with 12+ year captains on reserve.
Things worth noting:
- 32
- no kids
- no wife
- no debt
- no mortgage
- widebody flying seems cool, but isn't a main driver
- don't mind commuting for now if I know it'll be worth the long-term gain
All things being equal, I feel relatively good about JetBlue's future, but thats only because I think we will be bought in the next 2-4 years. Is it worth staying to find out? WWYD?
I've been at B6 for coming up on 4 years now, based in MCO. I came here because I wanted to live in FL, and I didn't want to be furloughed. I'd been holding out on leaving because of fears of a furlough back when everyone in my class left. Now it's been years, and all my classmates that went to legacies are having a ball while we've been struggling to grow. I was feeling, a bit optimistic back when I thought we might gain Spirit's route network, but now that thats all fallen through and with all the downgrades coming, I just feel like I sold myself short. Now don't get me wrong, B6 has been good to me, but I'd be lying if I said I really look forward to the next 30+ years at this moment in time. Now with an april class date offer from UAL, I'm stuck wondering if the possibility of a furlough in the near future is worth the risk. The economy isn't looking great right now, and hiring is starting to slow down. I've got good senioriy at B6 with 1,200 below me, but I'm not sure if thats saying much when I fly with 12+ year captains on reserve.
Things worth noting:
- 32
- no kids
- no wife
- no debt
- no mortgage
- widebody flying seems cool, but isn't a main driver
- don't mind commuting for now if I know it'll be worth the long-term gain
All things being equal, I feel relatively good about JetBlue's future, but thats only because I think we will be bought in the next 2-4 years. Is it worth staying to find out? WWYD?
Last edited by Anonymous2092; 03-12-2025 at 05:16 AM.
03-12-2025 | 05:03 AM
#2
Line Holder
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 54
From: 737 CA
Yet another "Stay or Leave" post.
I've been at B6 for coming up on 4 years now, based in MCO. I came here because I wanted to live in FL, and I didn't want to be furloughed. I'd been holding out on leaving because of fears of a furlough back when everyone in my class left. Now it's been years, and all my classmates that went to legacies are having a ball while we've been struggling to grow. I was feeling, a bit optimistic back when I thought we might gain Spirit's route network, but now that thats all fallen through and with all the downgrades coming, I just feel like I sold myself short. Now don't get me wrong, B6 has been good to me, but I'd be lying if I said I really look forward to the next 30+ years at this moment in time. Now with an April class date offer, I'm stuck wondering if the possibility of a furlough in the near future is worth the risk. The economy isn't looking great right now, and hiring is starting to slow down. I've got good senioriy at B6 with 1,200 below me, but I'm not sure if thats saying much when I fly with 12+ year captains on reserve.
Things worth noting:
- 32
- no kids
- no wife
- no debt
- no mortgage
- widebody flying seems cool, but isn't a main driver
- don't mind commuting for now if I know it'll be worth the long-term gain
All things being equal, I feel relatively good about JetBlue's future, but thats only because I think we will be bought in the next 2-4 years. Is it worth staying to find out? WWYD?
I've been at B6 for coming up on 4 years now, based in MCO. I came here because I wanted to live in FL, and I didn't want to be furloughed. I'd been holding out on leaving because of fears of a furlough back when everyone in my class left. Now it's been years, and all my classmates that went to legacies are having a ball while we've been struggling to grow. I was feeling, a bit optimistic back when I thought we might gain Spirit's route network, but now that thats all fallen through and with all the downgrades coming, I just feel like I sold myself short. Now don't get me wrong, B6 has been good to me, but I'd be lying if I said I really look forward to the next 30+ years at this moment in time. Now with an April class date offer, I'm stuck wondering if the possibility of a furlough in the near future is worth the risk. The economy isn't looking great right now, and hiring is starting to slow down. I've got good senioriy at B6 with 1,200 below me, but I'm not sure if thats saying much when I fly with 12+ year captains on reserve.
Things worth noting:
- 32
- no kids
- no wife
- no debt
- no mortgage
- widebody flying seems cool, but isn't a main driver
- don't mind commuting for now if I know it'll be worth the long-term gain
All things being equal, I feel relatively good about JetBlue's future, but thats only because I think we will be bought in the next 2-4 years. Is it worth staying to find out? WWYD?
It’s all a very personal decision, but all things being equal I would say that your biggest risk is starting over at the bottom of a new seniority list (furlough fodder). However, No wife, no kids, and no mortgage really ease that hardship if it were to happen.
If it were me, I’d say go for it. Even the simple ability to change fleet type can make this seem like a whole new exciting job and airline every 5 or 10 years.
Put your app in. You may never even get a call to interview and the answer is decided for you, but you don’t win a game you never even tried to play.
03-12-2025 | 05:22 AM
#3
Thread Starter
On Reserve
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Where do you live? Where do you want to live? Would you move to a UAL domicile or commute? What’s the commute like?
It’s all a very personal decision, but all things being equal I would say that your biggest risk is starting over at the bottom of a new seniority list (furlough fodder). However, No wife, no kids, and no mortgage really ease that hardship if it were to happen.
If it were me, I’d say go for it. Even the simple ability to change fleet type can make this seem like a whole new exciting job and airline every 5 or 10 years.
Put your app in. You may never even get a call to interview and the answer is decided for you, but you don’t win a game you never even tried to play.
It’s all a very personal decision, but all things being equal I would say that your biggest risk is starting over at the bottom of a new seniority list (furlough fodder). However, No wife, no kids, and no mortgage really ease that hardship if it were to happen.
If it were me, I’d say go for it. Even the simple ability to change fleet type can make this seem like a whole new exciting job and airline every 5 or 10 years.
Put your app in. You may never even get a call to interview and the answer is decided for you, but you don’t win a game you never even tried to play.
03-12-2025 | 05:24 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,042
Likes: 47
From: 767/757 CA
id stay… I think you would be stagnant as we (and the economy) are starting the cyclical downturn that happens every 10 years or so. We also hired a ton of young (than you) pilots over the last 5 years… thousands that won’t be moving either as the airline shrinks a bit.
03-12-2025 | 05:53 AM
#5
Line Holder
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 285
Likes: 2
Yet another "Stay or Leave" post.
I've been at B6 for coming up on 4 years now, based in MCO. I came here because I wanted to live in FL, and I didn't want to be furloughed. I'd been holding out on leaving because of fears of a furlough back when everyone in my class left. Now it's been years, and all my classmates that went to legacies are having a ball while we've been struggling to grow. I was feeling, a bit optimistic back when I thought we might gain Spirit's route network, but now that thats all fallen through and with all the downgrades coming, I just feel like I sold myself short. Now don't get me wrong, B6 has been good to me, but I'd be lying if I said I really look forward to the next 30+ years at this moment in time. Now with an april class date offer from UAL, I'm stuck wondering if the possibility of a furlough in the near future is worth the risk. The economy isn't looking great right now, and hiring is starting to slow down. I've got good senioriy at B6 with 1,200 below me, but I'm not sure if thats saying much when I fly with 12+ year captains on reserve.
Things worth noting:
- 32
- no kids
- no wife
- no debt
- no mortgage
- widebody flying seems cool, but isn't a main driver
- don't mind commuting for now if I know it'll be worth the long-term gain
All things being equal, I feel relatively good about JetBlue's future, but thats only because I think we will be bought in the next 2-4 years. Is it worth staying to find out? WWYD?
I've been at B6 for coming up on 4 years now, based in MCO. I came here because I wanted to live in FL, and I didn't want to be furloughed. I'd been holding out on leaving because of fears of a furlough back when everyone in my class left. Now it's been years, and all my classmates that went to legacies are having a ball while we've been struggling to grow. I was feeling, a bit optimistic back when I thought we might gain Spirit's route network, but now that thats all fallen through and with all the downgrades coming, I just feel like I sold myself short. Now don't get me wrong, B6 has been good to me, but I'd be lying if I said I really look forward to the next 30+ years at this moment in time. Now with an april class date offer from UAL, I'm stuck wondering if the possibility of a furlough in the near future is worth the risk. The economy isn't looking great right now, and hiring is starting to slow down. I've got good senioriy at B6 with 1,200 below me, but I'm not sure if thats saying much when I fly with 12+ year captains on reserve.
Things worth noting:
- 32
- no kids
- no wife
- no debt
- no mortgage
- widebody flying seems cool, but isn't a main driver
- don't mind commuting for now if I know it'll be worth the long-term gain
All things being equal, I feel relatively good about JetBlue's future, but thats only because I think we will be bought in the next 2-4 years. Is it worth staying to find out? WWYD?
No regrets at all!
Won’t go into personal details! But I was scared and unsure too, coming out of covid times.
03-12-2025 | 06:35 AM
#6
Line Holder
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 527
Likes: 126
Yet another "Stay or Leave" post.
I've been at B6 for coming up on 4 years now, based in MCO. I came here because I wanted to live in FL, and I didn't want to be furloughed. I'd been holding out on leaving because of fears of a furlough back when everyone in my class left. Now it's been years, and all my classmates that went to legacies are having a ball while we've been struggling to grow. I was feeling, a bit optimistic back when I thought we might gain Spirit's route network, but now that thats all fallen through and with all the downgrades coming, I just feel like I sold myself short. Now don't get me wrong, B6 has been good to me, but I'd be lying if I said I really look forward to the next 30+ years at this moment in time. Now with an april class date offer from UAL, I'm stuck wondering if the possibility of a furlough in the near future is worth the risk. The economy isn't looking great right now, and hiring is starting to slow down. I've got good senioriy at B6 with 1,200 below me, but I'm not sure if thats saying much when I fly with 12+ year captains on reserve.
Things worth noting:
- 32
- no kids
- no wife
- no debt
- no mortgage
- widebody flying seems cool, but isn't a main driver
- don't mind commuting for now if I know it'll be worth the long-term gain
All things being equal, I feel relatively good about JetBlue's future, but thats only because I think we will be bought in the next 2-4 years. Is it worth staying to find out? WWYD?
I've been at B6 for coming up on 4 years now, based in MCO. I came here because I wanted to live in FL, and I didn't want to be furloughed. I'd been holding out on leaving because of fears of a furlough back when everyone in my class left. Now it's been years, and all my classmates that went to legacies are having a ball while we've been struggling to grow. I was feeling, a bit optimistic back when I thought we might gain Spirit's route network, but now that thats all fallen through and with all the downgrades coming, I just feel like I sold myself short. Now don't get me wrong, B6 has been good to me, but I'd be lying if I said I really look forward to the next 30+ years at this moment in time. Now with an april class date offer from UAL, I'm stuck wondering if the possibility of a furlough in the near future is worth the risk. The economy isn't looking great right now, and hiring is starting to slow down. I've got good senioriy at B6 with 1,200 below me, but I'm not sure if thats saying much when I fly with 12+ year captains on reserve.
Things worth noting:
- 32
- no kids
- no wife
- no debt
- no mortgage
- widebody flying seems cool, but isn't a main driver
- don't mind commuting for now if I know it'll be worth the long-term gain
All things being equal, I feel relatively good about JetBlue's future, but thats only because I think we will be bought in the next 2-4 years. Is it worth staying to find out? WWYD?
03-12-2025 | 06:47 AM
#7
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 832
Likes: 4
With four years of seniority, 1200 below you at your age I WOULD STAY AT JB for now and re-evualate career life goals closer to when you're 40 years old.
At 40, you can still have a solid 25 year career whatever you decide to do.
You have done well at your age to get where you are. Historically, the average age of a legacy new hire was closer to 40. The last few years have been exceptional, not the norm.
At your age, you can still afford to make a mistake and recover by age 40 to have a full career. If staying at JB turns out to be a mistake, so be it and move on. But I think the next year or two might be kind of uncertain in the airlines and in times like that it is usually best to ride the horse on you're on rather than taking a risk.
At 40, you can still have a solid 25 year career whatever you decide to do.
You have done well at your age to get where you are. Historically, the average age of a legacy new hire was closer to 40. The last few years have been exceptional, not the norm.
At your age, you can still afford to make a mistake and recover by age 40 to have a full career. If staying at JB turns out to be a mistake, so be it and move on. But I think the next year or two might be kind of uncertain in the airlines and in times like that it is usually best to ride the horse on you're on rather than taking a risk.
03-12-2025 | 06:52 AM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,633
Likes: 209
With four years of seniority, 1200 below you at your age I WOULD STAY AT JB for now and re-evualate career life goals closer to when you're 40 years old.
At 40, you can still have a solid 25 year career whatever you decide to do.
You have done well at your age to get where you are. Historically, the average age of a legacy new hire was closer to 40. The last few years have been exceptional, not the norm.
At your age, you can still afford to make a mistake and recover by age 40 to have a full career. If staying at JB turns out to be a mistake, so be it and move on. But I think the next year or two might be kind of uncertain in the airlines and in times like that it is usually best to ride the horse on you're on rather than taking a risk.
At 40, you can still have a solid 25 year career whatever you decide to do.
You have done well at your age to get where you are. Historically, the average age of a legacy new hire was closer to 40. The last few years have been exceptional, not the norm.
At your age, you can still afford to make a mistake and recover by age 40 to have a full career. If staying at JB turns out to be a mistake, so be it and move on. But I think the next year or two might be kind of uncertain in the airlines and in times like that it is usually best to ride the horse on you're on rather than taking a risk.
03-12-2025 | 08:30 AM
#9
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 892
Likes: 151
Setting aside personal preference considerations, that’s an easy answer, go. You can afford a bump in the road and any reasonable estimation of a career at United versus JetBlue has less downside risk, and more Upside potential for United.
even if a big 3 buys jet blue you are unlikely to have some huge seniority windfall
Yes, it’s possible you could be furloughed briefly.
It is highly unlikely the nasty stuff from the lost decade repeats. The industry was undergoing a lot of structural changes that are now done and can’t be repeated. There are a lot retirements coming up over the next decade.
take the class
even if a big 3 buys jet blue you are unlikely to have some huge seniority windfall
Yes, it’s possible you could be furloughed briefly.
It is highly unlikely the nasty stuff from the lost decade repeats. The industry was undergoing a lot of structural changes that are now done and can’t be repeated. There are a lot retirements coming up over the next decade.
take the class
03-12-2025 | 08:32 AM
#10
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,734
Likes: 12
The most important thing to consider is where you want to live and where you would be based.
MCO is not a hub for United. It is only a 737 base that recently opened. It won’t ever be a wide body base. It could close at any time (United has closed SEA, HNL, and MIA pilot bases in recent memory). Plus it’s unlikely you’ll get MCO based initially, so you’ll have to commute for a period of time regardless.
I personally would not come to UAL unless you are comfortable with committing to IAH or IAD for the rest of your career. Otherwise I would stay at JB.
MCO is not a hub for United. It is only a 737 base that recently opened. It won’t ever be a wide body base. It could close at any time (United has closed SEA, HNL, and MIA pilot bases in recent memory). Plus it’s unlikely you’ll get MCO based initially, so you’ll have to commute for a period of time regardless.
I personally would not come to UAL unless you are comfortable with committing to IAH or IAD for the rest of your career. Otherwise I would stay at JB.
