SlumTodd_Millionaire
Most Hated Member
The difference is that JetBlue was actually making money almost immediately. And they didn't even struggle following 9/11. Virgin, on the other hand, is a like a flying money incinerator.
Virgin America
- Thread starter skyw82
- Start date
Pilotforhire587
Lycra Man
Had two captains from C5 just get on there.
The Juice
Well-Known Member
It is always a little suspicious when airlines start hiring without a TPIC requirement.
It almost says that they know their pilots are going to bail for greener pastures so lets hire them without the TPIC so they cant bail as easy.
ZapBrannigan
If it ain’t a Boeing, I’m not going. No choice.
TPIC is a relatively new requirement. In 1999 the only airlines with a TPIC requirement were SWA and FedEx.
SlumTodd_Millionaire
Most Hated Member
JetBlue was making money within its first six months in business. I agree about USA Jet, but I'd take Allegiant or Kalitta any day before Virgin. Both are making money, and both have been around for a while.
CoffeeIcePapers
Well-Hung Member
SlumTodd_Millionaire
Most Hated Member
AMR is "too big to fail." The average legislator wouldn't even be able to tell you who Virgin America is.
SurferLucas
Southern Gentleman
I took my first ride on VA last week down to SFO from SEA...they certainly give AS a run for their money in terms of cabin/creature comforts. I was truly impressed by the inflight 'team', as they're known on the PA's.
VA's got some pretty smokin' FA's...just an observation...
jtrain609
Antisocial Monster
I can assure you that I am still very much employed...again...after some unpaid time off.
SurferLucas
Southern Gentleman
However, your branded operation is not...which is what I'm sure he's referring to...
jtrain609
Antisocial Monster
I know, but the company is still around under the same name, and some n00b is going to read it and say, "ZOMG! NO! NO! THAT CAN'T BE! I HAVE A FRIEND WHO'S STARTING CLASS THERE NEXT WEEK! HE WAS GOING TO GET ME A JOB! ZOMG! I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY'RE GOING TO FUUURRRRLLLLOOOOUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!"
Sounds far fetched I know, but it happens.
SurferLucas
Southern Gentleman
C'mon now...we all love the confusion of noobs and the pickin' on that ensues! Quit ruining all the fun!!!
BobDDuck
Island Bus Driver
They used to give you 1 or 2 free outs if you can't make a report time. They had a cute name for it (which I can't remember right now). No idea if they still have that policy. I sat next to a guy on a Airways Jumpseat last year who called in sick some huge number of times, but had a friend in HR keep him advised of the top 3 sick call numbers. His philosophy was that if a company is going to go after anybody, it will be the top 3 so as long as he stayed at number 4 he'd be ok.
Douglas
Old School KSUX
Quick, subtle and hilarious.
Fins Up
Well-Known Member
Always happy to entertain.
kellwolf
Piece of Trash
I won't disagree that Virgin has a stellar product. However, as was mentioned with the ExpressJet branded operation, a good product does not guarantee success. If ExpressJet had the financials and marketing a lot of the big boys have, I have no doubt their branded operation would still be flying today, possibly expanding. What VA's history has shown is an operation reliant on Branson to make it work. Take away the Branson money (which will run out before long) and the name, and suddenly it's in real trouble. Little known fact, jetBlue was ALMOST Virgin America. When they were just starting up, there were several meetings with Branson. The driving difference is jetBlue's management felt they needed to expand quickly to survive and Branson wanted a slow growth. Talks broke down after a couple of months, and jetBlue went ahead with their plan. They were offering an IPO a little over two years after starting operations. It would have been one year, but the IPO was supposed to be on 9/11/2001. Needless to say, it was delayed about a year. It was one of the most successful airline IPOs in history. The worst kept secret at Virgin right now is how they are losing money. I think the initial start up investors were wanting out at some point, but due to cabotage laws, if Branson bought them out, the airline would have to cease operations.
I'm also a big fan of having a fall back. I'd have been hesitant to go somewhere without 1000 TPIC just to be on the safe side. It's a new requirement, but the competition for up the food chain jobs is so stiff, you're gonna have an uphill battle without it. Sure, Virgin and jetBlue are hiring guys without it.....now. What happens if we have another cataclysm or if AA isn't "too big to fail?" I'm sitting on 2,100 TPIC and it's not like places are beating down my door. The guys that I know that have been hired at jetBlue without TPIC had some inside help. On the flip side, I know guys with twice as much TPIC as I have that couldn't get a nibble on an interview there.
Another thing I'm not a big fan of at Virgin is when you upgrade to CA their pay scale is different than everyone else. If you're a 4 year FO that upgrades, you won't go to 4 year CA pay, you go to FIRST year CA pay and work your way back up.
I'm also a big fan of having a fall back. I'd have been hesitant to go somewhere without 1000 TPIC just to be on the safe side. It's a new requirement, but the competition for up the food chain jobs is so stiff, you're gonna have an uphill battle without it. Sure, Virgin and jetBlue are hiring guys without it.....now. What happens if we have another cataclysm or if AA isn't "too big to fail?" I'm sitting on 2,100 TPIC and it's not like places are beating down my door. The guys that I know that have been hired at jetBlue without TPIC had some inside help. On the flip side, I know guys with twice as much TPIC as I have that couldn't get a nibble on an interview there.
Another thing I'm not a big fan of at Virgin is when you upgrade to CA their pay scale is different than everyone else. If you're a 4 year FO that upgrades, you won't go to 4 year CA pay, you go to FIRST year CA pay and work your way back up.