Two of JetBlue’s pilots have anonymously spoken out about the company’s decision to hire John Perrys, a convicted felon. Perrys served 9 years in prison for breaking into a judge’s house and attacking his daughter after her shower. While Perrys is employed at JetBlue, pilots who refuse a COVID vaccine cannot seek employment with the airline.
As the JetBlue career website states, “Every decision JetBlue has made throughout the pandemic has been with our safety value front and center. . . As part of our commitment to health and safety, COVID-19 vaccines are required for all JetBlue employees. New hire employees must be fully vaccinated prior to the start of training.”
One of the pilots who brought attention to Perrys employment at the airline spoke anonymously about the decision.
“Apparently JetBlue won’t hire unvaccinated pilots, but they will hire violent convicted felons to fly their airplanes,” the pilot said.
An AP News article from 2005 provided the details of Perrys’ crime. Perrys beat Carolyn Lister, his former fiancé, with a metal baton as she exited the shower. Lister ran “bleeding and naked to a neighbor's home.” Perrys was also carrying a Taser with him. Upon his arrest a search of his vehicle revealed several knives, handcuffs, a spool of parachute cord, a shovel, gloves, glass cutters, keys to Lister's home, pepper spray and a mask.
A pilot shared how Perrys’ new employment is faring with other JetBlue employees.
“Several instructors have refused to train him. Many captains have told management they’ll refuse to fly with him,” the pilot said.