Originally Posted by NYBlue

Just had recurrent and checked out the Lodge, and ate over there too. They are in a "soft opening" right now, where they have opened the lodge to be tested, and they are also allowing people to come over and eat. I have to say it is a HUGE improvement over other places I have stayed around MCO - with the one caveat that my spouse doesn't like coming to hotels/lodges or whatever - so whether in a hotel or lodge, the spouse issue isn't a problem for me.

The food at the Lodge is a big improvement over Denny's, Sonny's or the OSC cafeteria, by a large margin. It was decently priced and a good variety. Definitely not slop. They also have a 24 hour hotel style store with sandwiches, fruit, drinks and snacks. There is also a bar that serves until midnight. Residents get a $26 food credit that easily covers all meals.

I asked to check out the rooms and they showed me around. The are all single occupancy (about 200 rooms) and have closet, shower, queen bed, TV, internet, desk, etc. Pretty much a standard room. It is true that there is no refrigerator in the room. Each floor has a free coffee bar and microwave, refrigerator area.

Outside there is a pool, firepit area, basketball court and softball field, along with all the equipment to use them - and bikes too. All for free.

All in all, it looks great, and I do look forward to staying there (if they have recurrent training there - I'm not sure). However, if I were staying there for 6 weeks, I would probably want to have access to wheels (either from a classmate or to rent a car), because there are no shuttles to neighboring areas - other than the airport. I guess the cheap way to get out would be to take a shuttle to the airport and then another hotel shuttle to the hotel/restaurant area.

Originally Posted by Std Deviation

Totally agree;however, look at it the way an economist would (based on incentives and cost): second year pay is a vast increase, then another 50% on top of that. My guess is first year guys are dragging in sick out of necessity. Which is wrong.

Originally Posted by JustAnotherPLT

And in my opinion should not change. Vaca separate, sure, but premium buy back is huge.



Listen, this isn't the regionals where 20 year olds are flying around sick with a running yellow snot nose. It wouldn't matter what system we have, people will abuse it. I'm guilty of calling out sick at my former airline and no, I wasn't sick. My previous airline had seperate PTO and Vaca with no premium buy back. We have something that's really good here and I hope to god we can keep it.

With that said, when someone is sick, I expect they call in sick. When I'm sick, I call sick. The worst feeling is being at work miserable. It doesn't matter the system, people will abuse it. So let's keep this nice thing we have going.

In conclusion, I disgree that our premium system is encouraging more than normal abuse of the system. Doesn't matter what's in place, you'll see someone sick at work. Sadly at this point in the game it doesn't matter what is in place, you're not going to change an old dog.

Originally Posted by grimmreaper

Thanks, compared to some places this is seems pretty nice. It sure beats a tent in someplace with 15 of your best buddies, no pool and no drinks. Thanks again for the info.

Originally Posted by NYBlue

Here is a video that was just sent out to all JetBlue pilots. It is an interview with the Chef at the Lodge. My experience this week matched what is described:

https://vimeo.com/jetblue/review/119788407/3762fd9d3a

Originally Posted by 3GRNDWN

10/28/14, 1330 hrs interview, got the great news this morning to start training on 18 March. There will be 12 total in that class.

Originally Posted by grimmreaper

Thanks, compared to some places this is seems pretty nice. It sure beats a tent in someplace with 15 of your best buddies, no pool and no drinks. Thanks again for the info.

Originally Posted by Beechnut58

As mentioned by a half dozen others. This is not Iraq and THIS IS a concession to our current training model.

I'm sure it's better than a tent. That's already been said, it's supposed to be.

No offense but I hope these types are never on our negotiating committee.