Airline Pilot Forums

Hi all -

A good friend of mine (seriously) is interested in this position and loves Human Factors/has been involved with it before. However, he has always been qualified/current on an aircraft while filling such roles. He doesn't want to appear disingenuous during his interview by asking about flying duties, as he fears that those interviewing him will think that his first intention would be to try and jump into a seniority-based flying position. It's certainly not the case. He just believes that remaining current affords him credibility with his work.

Does anyone here know if such positions within Flight Operations afford the opportunity to qualify/remain current on FDX aircraft/simulators? For my own curiosity, is it even possible to become a line pilot after taking such a position?

Thanks!
- N5139

The current pendulum at FedEx has swung to fill many roles currently held by pilots with lower paying non-seniority holders.
I was just jumpseating on Pinnacle with a longterm Capt thinking of retiring and taking a tech writing job (non flying) at Fedex, as an example this.
That being said, FedEx is known for hiring pilots from within.
Take the job because he wants the job.
Some high level positions might be able to maintain sim currency, but probably rare.
Getting to the line is a possibility, but nothing to count on.

The current pendulum at FedEx has swung to fill many roles currently held by pilots with lower paying non-seniority holders.
I was just jumpseating on Pinnacle with a longterm Capt thinking of retiring and taking a tech writing job (non flying) at Fedex, as an example this.
That being said, FedEx is known for hiring pilots from within.
Take the job because he wants the job.
Some high level positions might be able to maintain sim currency, but probably rare.
Getting to the line is a possibility, but nothing to count on.

all good info/advice but just to be clear for your friend, per the collective bargaining agreement ,you must be a seniority holding pilot to fly revenue flights at FedEx. His only hope to fly a purple jet would be FAR 91 flights and sims should they allow him in his position, but he will never fly revenue flights in this type of "non-seniority" position.

I know of at least one f/o (she later made Capt.) working in the Flight Safety office. The "Tech Pilots" are seniority list guys.

I believe there were some (most? not sure) non seniority list guys working in the Flight Test office.

And of course there are the "Professional" Ground School/Sim Instructors (Does that means there are also "Unprofessional" Instructors?). ;)

I know of at least one f/o (she later made Capt.) working in the Flight Safety office. The "Tech Pilots" are seniority list guys. ;)
That was one of my points.
The future may bring some 'Tech Pilots' that are non seniority holders.
As well as other jobs that are currently all or mostly seniority holders.
appDude

The "Tech Pilots" are seniority list guys.

Future tech pilots will be non-seniority list pilots. They're already hiring for these positions.

Flight test will also be non-seniority list. The new goal is to create "an airline within an airline." Don't know why this isn't creating more of a stir.

Future tech pilots will be non-seniority list pilots. They're already hiring for these positions.

Flight test will also be non-seniority list. The new goal is to create "an airline within an airline." Don't know why this isn't creating more of a stir.

I am not sure I agree that is the "goal", rather, it appears to be a cost savings measure. Line pilots make too much for those jobs in some people's eyes.

However I do agree with you that this trend makes it even more critical that we never give up on our CBA section 9 rights so that this trend can not turn into a UPS style structure should that be the real goal.