What Should I Do?

Yesterday I received a great question, and one that many have been asking in some form or another.

I am a Junior at UND and am trying to figure out where I would like to end up in terms of an airline. I am from MSP and Mesaba and then Northwest/Delta was the path I wanted to take. When Mesaba was sold to Pinnacle my thoughts changed- Skywest then hopefully Delta, but I am also interested in SWA and JBU. 

We have a new program at our school called the gateway program with JetBlue and Cape air. Basically the program works like this (btw, there is no contract involved) : You do an internship at cape air as an undergrad for a semester (after interviewing to get accepted into the program). Then after graduation you flight instruct for one year, then you head out to Cape Air where you fly their 402s for 3-4 years. Then you get an interview with Jetblue. (Basically, they said the entire program is an interview with JetBlue). I would end up at JetBlue at the age of 25-26. 

I was wondering what your thoughts are- my problem is I am not sure that JetBlue is where I want to go (nothing against the company, I have heard they are awesome to work for). Basically, as you know the other option is to go to a regional and get PIC 121 turbine. At cape air you get 121, but it is not turbine. 

Basically my dilemma is if I fly for cape and don’t get hired, then I have no turbine time. If I go to a regional my options are more open, but I probably won’t get hired by a major at 25-26 as I would with the gateway program. Basically I am curious for your opinion on the matter. I hope this isn’t too confusing of a question and I apologize for the length.  

UND your original plan was excellent, then everything changed. Unfortunately, in five years everything could change again. Big question… who will buy JetBlue? Chances are if you go there, you may have multiple airline jobs in your future. That’s not a bad thing.

As you said, JetBlue is not a guarantee.  The strength of the Gateway plan is that you will have a guaranteed flying job after graduation with the opportunity to build hours. That's huge in today’s environment. How many hours will you have at the end of that program? Granted it’s not turbine time, but it is total time.

What you need to look at is, if you stay with that entire program what your resume will look like at the end of the four years, and what airlines will you be qualified to work for if JetBlue doesn’t pan out. My guess is, there is a higher probability that they will be bought verses them not wanting you.

           

The Jet Blue job sounds like a great deal if you can get it. If they are still in business, and if you end up there, and if you decide you still want to go to another carrier, you can get a couple thousand hours of jet time with them, before you’re thirty. With that you can go anywhere. With the extra years under your belt, you’ll have more information of what the future might hold in our industry. Better chance to know who you want to fly with.  I know thirty-years-old sounds ancient to you now. But a thirty-year career, if you fly until you’re sixty, is a long career.

The question is, if you don’t take this opportunity will you be able to land one of those Regional jobs? Has the 1500 hour requirement impacted that Regional opportunity? Remember, if there is no contract, and you get into that program, you can apply to other airlines if you decide it’s not a good deal, and you’re ready to move on.   

You need to ask yourself, what are my options if I go the Cape Air route, and the Jet Blue portion doesn’t happen? How many hours will I have? Where will I be qualified to go from there?

This is one industry that you cannot second guess.

A little story… a pilot I know, Ray Burke, came out of the military with an exceptional background. He left the military with three job offers waiting: American Airlines, Braniff, and Eastern. He loved Texas and that’s where he wanted to raise his family. He said, “American Airlines already had 350 pilots and I can’t see them getting much bigger.” So he went to Braniff. Many years later I met him at America West, where he ended up retiring as a 757 first officer with many airlines behind him.

If we had a crystal ball, it would be easy.  

My advice, weighing all the options, unless you have a better job guaranteed, I think that you can’t lose gaining the experience of teaching and working at a 121 operation, especially if you have the flexibility to leave if something better comes up. The opportunity to get jet time at JetBlue is great. If it turns out that won’t happen, then you have the ability, with the hours and experience you’ve gained, to fly for a Regional for a couple years, then pick any airline you choose.

You have a great career ahead. Never pass up an opportunity unless there's a better one standing beside it. Give Cape Air your best, and the best will come back to you. Whatever you decide, you may not know if it's the right decision until you're retired.

 Airline pilots… what do you guys think our NDU future graduate should do?

Most importantly, remember to Enjoy the Journey!

~Karlene