We have two very different versions of what happened aboard that flight. One that a drunk man was wandering the plane and disturbing passengers with stories of how he shot people; the other, a man just wanting to enjoy dinner and a drink and being discriminated against by flight attendants.

Shalom Yarimo wanted to escape the cold of Brooklyn for the sunny skies of Burbank. Monday night, the Israeli native boarded a JetBlue flight and sat down to eat dinner and drink a few beers.

“It wasn’t on an empty stomach. It was a full stomach, and I know how to drink, and I don’t go over,” Yarimo said.

He says he began choking on his food and ran to the bathroom to throw up. When he tried to return to the bathroom to trim his beard, he was stopped by a flight attendant and told the flight was out of fuel and would land.

“I said, ‘Oh my God! How can they run out of gas if they’re going 3,000 miles? And this is all a lie,’ Yarimo said.

“I don’t know how many FBI came. I don’t know how many police came. And they surround the plane like I’m going to do terrorist acts,” he recalled.

However, the FBI says the flight crew and passengers told a very different story. “Some of his activities included running up and down the aisles, opening the overhead bins, shouting at the flight attendants, making a statement he had shot people in Lebanon,” said Timothy Fuhrman, Salt Lake’s FBI special agent in charge.

Yarimo was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, charged with interfering with a flight crew. He says his comments about shooting people were during a casual conversation with another passenger regarding his military service and were taken out of context by a flight attendant.

Yarimo will make an initial appearance in federal court tomorrow. The FBI believes him to be in the country illegally, but Yarimo says he has a pending application for U.S. citizenship.

So when pilots at JetBlue Airways decided to organize, they rejected the traditional adversarial approach of most airline unions. Instead, they turned to officials with the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, known for its record of winning generous contracts while maintaining a positive relationship with management. That union’s focus on productivity and innovative compensation has helped keep the Dallas-based airline profitable during the past decade while other airlines posted billions in losses.

The Southwest union “has been a great example of the fact that it’s possible to create a collaborative approach with management,” said Mike Sorbie, a JetBlue pilot based in Orlando, Fla., one of the leaders of the organizing effort.

“Southwest has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success and represents one of the most highly unionized airlines in the industry,” he said.

Pilots at JetBlue will vote in January on whether to create the JetBlue Pilots Association. Like SWAPA, it would be an independent union, not affiliated with the nation’s largest pilot group, the Air Line Pilots Association.

“We were looking for an example of success, and the only one that met our definition was SWAPA,” said Bill Evans, a Boston-based JetBlue pilot involved in the organizing drive.

‘A tremendous culture’

JetBlue, a New York-based discount carrier, has had ties to Southwest from its inception. Its founder, David Neeleman, was an executive at Southwest in the 1990s after he sold Morris Air to the carrier. Two years after leaving Southwest, in 2000, he launched JetBlue with a similar business model — a lean, low-cost structure, one-cabin service, a point-to-point route map and flights into cheaper, secondary airports.

What differentiated the airline was its perks. It was the first carrier to provide free seat-back satellite television for every passenger, and its fleet of new airplanes had leather seats and comfortable cabins.

Officials with Dallas/Fort Worth Airport have long tried to lure JetBlue to North Texas, but the airline has no flights here. It does have service in Austin and Houston.

Another difference from Southwest was on the labor front. Southwest is the most unionized airline in the industry, but JetBlue has no union presence. An attempt by baggage handlers to organize in 2006 was unsuccessful.

Earlier this year, Sorbie and Evans began collecting signature cards to trigger a union election. Enough pilots signed on, and in November the JetBlue Pilots Association filed for an election.

The voting will begin Jan. 6, and ballots will be counted Feb. 3.

JetBlue officials have said in a statement that they “believe a direct relationship with the company is in our pilots’ best interests.”

Mike Powers, the airline’s senior vice president and treasurer, said at a recent Credit Suisse airline conference that it was “premature to speculate” on whether the union drive will succeed and how it might affect the airline’s costs or structure.

The pilots stress that the move to organize isn’t based on any animosity with JetBlue’s management, including Chief Executive David Barger. In fact, the two have high praise for the airline’s leadership.

“We have complete faith in our current management and leadership team,” Sorbie said. “We have tremendous culture and have a great relationship between management and the work groups.”

But the pilots do worry that things could change, given the volatile nature of the airline business.

“One day Dave Barger won’t be president of JetBlue,” Sorbie said. He also worries that the airline could be swept up in industry consolidation.

“Pilots don’t usually fare well in mergers and integrations,” he said.

A reasonable approach

But the high-octane labor battles at other airlines worried many pilots, Sorbie said.

“There’s this idea that unionization, almost by design, degrades into an adversarial relationship,” he said. “That’s what we want to avoid.”

Sorbie and Evans approached SWAPA for advice on building a different kind of pilots union. They said they never even considered affiliating with the Air Line Pilots Association, which represents pilots at United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Continental and others.

“I know how hard it is to independent; it’s the road less traveled,” said Karl Kuwitzky, SWAPA’s president. “But they clearly wanted to be different.”

Pilots at Fort Worth-based American Airlines are also represented by an independent union, the Allied Pilots Association. That labor group is embroiled in often-bitter contract negotiations with American.

Kuwitzky attended several organizational meetings and counseled the JetBlue pilots on how to get started. The biggest drawback to an independent union, he said, is the lack of financial support from a larger union.

“You really don’t have any money to start out with,” he said. “So it takes a lot longer to build up your infrastructure.”

But Evans said the benefits of flying solo prevailed. “With a larger union, you can be a small cog in the wheel,” he said. “We’re a kind of unique pilot group and want to stay that way.”

Like their counterparts at Southwest, Sorbie said JetBlue pilots will make the company’s performance a top priority.

“We have to consider not only the current economic realities, but the benefit of helping our company continue to prosper into the future,” Sorbie said. “We’re going to be reasonable in our approach and our expectations.”

He said he hopes that, like SWAPA, the JetBlue Pilots Association can serve as a model for the industry.

Said Evans, “We think we can do something special and unique that others can take a look at.” He said he wants to take SWAPA’s approach “to the next level, and set the bar up another notch.”

Although they don’t have specifics yet on what they would like to see in a contract, one priority is to shorten negotiation time. Airline contracts often take years to forge, because of the restrictions of the Railway Labor Act, which governs airline labor relations.

Protracted negotiations “take an enormous financial toll on the company and the union,” Sorbie said. “It’s a tremendous roller coaster.”

Evans also envisioned a pay scale benchmarked against other pilot groups, similar to how the JetBlue’s executive compensation is structured.

“Our leadership team has taken a reasonable approach to their own compensation, and our pilots appreciate that,” he said.

The pilots are optimistic that the union will be approved in February.

“There’s a real buzz about it, and I’m very optimistic that we’re going to win,” Sorbie said. “I think people realize this won’t be your father’s airline union.”

5.49, -0.08, -1.4%) , New York’s hometown
value airline, today announces plans to broaden its Latin American presence with new daily nonstop service to its 53rd Blue City: San Jose, Costa Rica. Service between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) will begin March 26, 2009, subject to receipt of Costa Rican government operating authority. San Jose is the airline’s first destination in Central America, making Costa Rica the ninth country in the airline’s route network.
Fares as low as $99 (a) are available between Orlando and San Jose for travel purchased today through December 23, 2008, while average everyday fares will start at $139 each way. San Jose will become JetBlue’s 22nd nonstop destination from its growing focus city at Orlando. The airline will further expand its commitment to Central Florida by adding two additional destinations in early 2009: daily nonstop service to Bogota, Colombia, its first-ever South American destination, begins January 29, 2009, and to Nassau, Bahamas, on February 1, 2009.
“JetBlue remains committed to growing our Latin American and Caribbean destinations in the New Year and we are thrilled to offer Orlando residents with the only nonstop daily service to the beautiful city of San Jose, Costa Rica,” said JetBlue’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Robin Hayes at a press conference at Juan Santamaria International Airport this afternoon. “Orlando remains a vital part of our route network as we continue to add direct flights to new international cities like Bogota and Nassau. Central Floridians continue to make JetBlue their carrier of choice, giving us the ability to offer more destinations and more value when they travel.”
“The new route by JetBlue to San Jose, Costa Rica further enhances and complements our air service into the Latin American and Caribbean basin and affords a new level of convenience in travel not previously experienced between San Jose and OIA,” said Steve Gardner, Executive Director Orlando International Airport. “JetBlue’s flight schedule and designation of Orlando as a focus city broadens the opportunity for travel to Costa Rica and further establishes our city as a gateway to the Latin American markets. We look forward to JetBlue’s success in this new market and continued future expansion into the region.”
For Costa Rica’s Tourist Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, the arrival of JetBlue to Costa Rica represents new opportunities to connect the country with the United States, which is one of the most important markets in tourist arrivals.
“The United States is still our biggest market, and the arrival of JetBlue and its new Orlando route opens new possibilities for Americans to visit us and for Costa Ricans to have more options to visit the U.S.,” said Minister Benavides.
JetBlue’s schedule between Orlando and San Jose:
Depart Orlando (MCO) at 10:40 a.m.; Arrive San Jose (SJO) at 11:53 a.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009

Depart San Jose (SJO) at 12:48 p.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 5:55 p.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009

Customers jetting from New York’s John F. Kennedy or LaGuardia airports, Boston and 10 other JetBlue destinations in the U.S. mainland can also book convenient connecting service to San Jose, including: Austin, Texas; Burlington, Vermont; Buffalo, Newburgh, Rochester, Syracuse and White Plains, New York; Newark, New Jersey; Portland, Maine; Richmond, Virginia; and Washington, D.C./Dulles.
JetBlue’s connecting schedule from New York (JFK):
Depart New York (JFK) at 7:10 a.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 9:58 a.m.
Depart Orlando (MCO) at 10:40 a.m.; Arrive San Jose (SJO) at 11:53 a.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009

Depart San Jose (SJO) at 12:48 p.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 5:55 p.m.
Depart Orlando (MCO) 8:55 p.m.; Arrive New York (JFK) at 11:28 p.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009

JetBlue’s connecting schedule from Boston (BOS):
Depart New York (JFK) at 6:25 a.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 9:23 a.m.
Depart Orlando (MCO) at 10:40 a.m.; Arrive San Jose (SJO) at 11:53 a.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009

Depart San Jose (SJO) at 12:48 p.m.; Arrive Orlando (MCO) at 5:55 p.m.
Depart Orlando (MCO) 7:55 p.m.; Arrive Boston (BOS) at 10:48 p.m.
Operates daily effective March 26, 2009

JetBlue will operate service to Costa Rica with its 100-seat EMBRAER E190, which offers coveted two-by-two seating (with no middle seat!), seatback televisions (including programming en Espanol), all-leather seating, the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline, and unlimited free snacks and beverages. Customers will also be treated to the best customer service in the industry, delivered by the airline’s friendly and award-winning crewmembers.
About JetBlue Airways
New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers Lots of Legroom and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats. JetBlue introduced complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on aircraft “BetaBlue,” a first among U.S. domestic airlines. JetBlue is also America’s first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue’s control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue currently serves 51 cities with 600 daily flights. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all travel is ticketless, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information or reservations in English or Spanish call 1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583) or visit www.jetblue.com.
(a) All fares are subject to change without notice. Fares are only available for flights booked at jetblue.com. Travel costs $15 more per person if purchased by telephone or at an airport or city ticket office. Fares require up to a 21-day advance purchase. Travel must be booked by December 23, 2008, 11:59 PM MT. Travel must begin on March 26, 2009. Fares may not be available on all days or on all flights. Fares are most often found on midweek travel dates. All fares must be purchased at time of reservation, and are one-way, nonrefundable, and nontransferable. Cancellations and changes can be made prior to scheduled departure for $100 per person at 1-800-JETBLUE or at jetblue.com, with applicable fare adjustment. Cancellations are for a JetBlue travel credit only, which is valid for one year. If a reservation is not changed or canceled prior to scheduled departure, all money associated with the reservation is forfeited. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and a Federal Segment Tax of $3.50 per domestic segment. A segment is a takeoff and landing. International fares also do not include government fees and taxes of up to $37.43 each way. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of purchase. JetBlue reserves the right to deny boarding to passengers without proper documentation. A second bag fee of $20 applies. DIRECTV(r) service is not available on flights outside the continental US. Other restrictions apply. (C)2008 JetBlue Airways
This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature which represent our management’s beliefs and assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and are based on information currently available to us. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to many factors, including, without limitation, our extremely competitive industry; increases in fuel prices, maintenance costs and interest rates; our ability to implement our growth strategy, including the ability to operate reliably the EMBRAER 190 aircraft and our new terminal at JFK; our significant fixed obligations; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and maintain our culture as we grow; our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization; our dependence on the New York metropolitan market and the effect of increased congestion in this market; our reliance on automated systems and technology; our being subject to potential unionization; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers; changes in or additional government regulation; changes in our industry due to other airlines’ financial condition; and external geopolitical events and conditions. Further information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to, the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

“The fatigue failure of two anti-rotation lugs due to repeated cyclic pre-landing tests, which allowed the nose wheels to deviate from the 0-degree position on landing gear retraction. A contributing factor was the design of the Brake Steering Control Unit (BSCU) system logic, which prevented the nose wheels from centering. Also contributing was the lack of a procedure to attempt to reset the BSCU system under these conditions,” the report stated.

According to the report, the steering computer could not be reset by the planes’ crews while they were in the air. Therefore, the Airbus Industries fixed it and made it possible for flight crew members to reset the steering computer while airborne.

On September 21, 2005, at 3:31 p.m., a JetBlue Airbus A320, with 140 passengers on board, left Bob Hope Airport in Burbank in order to make a non-stop flight to JFK Airport, New York. But at 6:18 p.m., the plane made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport with its nose wheels tilted 90 degrees. No one was hurt in the incident, which was broadcasted all over the world.

“The first officer was the pilot flying. He noted no problems during the initial departure, and observed a positive rate of climb. Information from the digital flight data recorder (DFDR) indicated that after liftoff the gear handle was positioned to the up position. The flight crew noted an error message displayed on the Electric Centralized Aircraft Monitoring (ECAM) system. There was a fault message for a nose landing gear (NLG) shock absorber,” stated the NTSB report.

When the captain suspected that the landing gear was tilted 90 degrees, he directed the plane to Long Beach in order to verify the gear status by flying over the tower. Once it was verified, the captain discussed the matter with company representatives and decided to redirect the plane to LAX since it had “optimum field conditions, runway length, and a better emergency/abnormal support services.” The flight attendants moved all passengers and cabin baggage to the back of the plane and the captain flew the plane in circles for several hours to burn fuel so that they could make a lighter landing.

“Upon touchdown, the NLG tires rapidly deflated and tore apart, and both wheels were worn into the axle. During landing, the airplane’s trajectory was not affected by the abnormal NLG configuration or subsequent tire destruction, and the airplane stayed on the runway centerline,” the report said.