Why do jet planes fly in turbulent jet streams?

I have never heard this before. Pilots avoid turbulence whenever possible. When going through climb from departure to cruising altitude, the aircraft often has to go "up" through turbulence to get to 30 - 38000 feet. read more

The jet stream alone rarely causes clear air turbulence (CAT); it is usually in combination with another factor, such as a temperature gradient or a mountain wave. Thus, just because a pilot chooses to take advantage of the jet stream does not guarantee that CAT will be encountered. read more

The wind currents along the edges of the jet stream are choppy or turbulent as high-speed air meets more slowly moving, nearly stationary air (about 20 m.p.h.). When a plane flies through this it bounces around. And since jet streams snake all over the sky, a plane can fly in an out of the turbulence many times in a single trip. read more

When a plane flies from the"non-jet-stream" air into the jet-stream air, there will be a lot of variations in ambient wind speed and, therefore, turbulence. Once completely inside the jet stream, the ride can be smooth (as long as your course keeps you completely inside of it). read more