JetBlue has once again opened applications for their Pilot Gateways program, which offers seven distinct education and training paths for pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians. Lat year, 12 percent of new-hire pilots came through one of the JetBlue Gateways.
On Monday (March 7, 2022), JetBlue announced that they are now accepting applications for Gateway Programs for the 14th consecutive year. The program offers seven distinct education and training paths for pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs), and last year, 12 percent of JetBlue’s new-hire pilots came through one of the JetBlue Gateway programs. Since the introduction of the first Gateway University program in 2008, JetBlue’s Gateways have continued to expand, offering opportunities for candidates to select the path and career goals that are right for them. In 2021, the carrier announced new Gateways, created expressly for current JetBlue crewmembers interested in becoming AMTs and for immediate family members of crewmembers interested in becoming pilots.
In Monday’s announcment, JetBlue’s Chief Executive Officer, Robin Hayes, said,
“Whether you’ve never been in an aircraft flight deck or already have a few solo flights under your belt and are planning for your future as a commercial airline pilot, we know that there is no single route to a career in aviation, but we do believe there should be a path available for anyone with the aptitude and passion to pursue it. Our Gateways offer multiple paths for those who’ve dreamed but never had the opportunity to pursue these highly-skilled careers in aviation. Since 2008 our Gateway programs have been removing many barriers of entry that often ground talented individuals before their dreams can even take flight. We are proud of our ability to extend opportunities to broader audiences and can’t wait to welcome the next generation of aviation professionals to JetBlue.”
The various program paths include Gateway Select, Gateway University, Gateway Direct-Flight Ops, Gateway-Flex Flight Ops and Gateway Family. With Gateway Select, qualified applicants can secure a path to JetBlue First Officer Status, regardless of previous flight experience. Gateway University has partnered with 11 Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) accredited colleges and universities, and allows enrolled students to pursue a direct path to First Officer.
Gateway Direct-Flight Ops enables current JetBlue crewmembers to depart their current position to pursue a prescribed college education, accompanied with primary flight training at Aviator College. Once graduated, students will then join Cape Air as a First Officer, where they can build time to ATP minimums, and then gain valuable experience as a Cape Air Captain.
The last two training paths have been designed specifically for current JetBlue crewmembers and their immediate family members. Gateway Flex-Flight Ops allows current crewmembers to depart their position and pursue a flexible path to becoming a pilot, including the option of choosing their own location for training and time-building, within a defined framework. New for 2022, the Gateway Family pathway allows immediate family members of JetBlue crewmembers to make a ‘Blue-Line’ to First Officer through a defined education, training and time-building path. For applications and more information on JetBlue’s Gateways Programs, please click here.
JetBlue is ‘New York’s Hometown Airline®’ and a leading carrier in Boston (BOS), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Los Angeles (LAX), Orlando (MCO) and San Juan (SJU). The airline carries guests to destinations across the U.S., Caribbean, Latin America and London (Heathrow and Gatwick). JetBlue Airways Corporation trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol JBLU.
Source: JetBlue Airways/Business Wire