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NW pays their guys more than B6 so naturally everyone assumes that the B6 guys are underpaid rather than the other way around. Which airline is making money? Which airline is more in tune with the marketplace?
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I agree with Flychicaga. Jetblue is a big regional airline to me. I don't think I can jump on B6 to Europe, Asia or South America. I can't even get Jetblue from where I live. If B6 prvide same route structures, same pay rate for pilots as NWA, and making money, I would say Jetblue does a good job for selling their products / services.
In my personal opinions and analogy, Jetblue is making money because their planes are relatively young, maybe more fuel efficient(I am not really sure). However, when it is time come to contract negotiation, for example NWA, management can said to their pilots "B6 is making money because they don't need to pay their pilots as much as you guys." The end result is most likely pilots taking the pay cut to keep their jobs. If B6 nad NWA tickets price and service are the same, which airline you think passengers would take? Probably NWA because of more options. For B6 making money, it would required trimming someone's pay and jobs cut. It would most likely affects pilots' pay rate in order to stay competitive. It is downward spiral process. I personnaly do not want to see that happen. I hope my analogy make senses.
adreamer