Originally Posted by
BigWatchPilot
Norcal...on your side of things...when I was 23 and talking with a "personal" outfit in the Northwest I could not believe that they would want to hire me...this was thier response: "We can teach anyone to fly how we want them to...but can we hang out for 2 weeks in Europe and have a great time? If we don't like hanging out with you who cares how great you can fly."
At the airlines they have the opposite approach...but I can say in the years that I have been at FDX the pilots I didn't have a good time with I can count on one hand. It is not quite the same but when you walk away from a trip...you might have had the time of your life...and the other guys were locked in thier room the entire time.
In your corporate world you are exposed to circles of people and experiences that very few would every be a part of. At an airline...an airport is an airport, hotel a hotel...its all the same after a bit...but it is the BEST JOB IN THE WORLD!
Norcal,
I agree with BigWatchPilot's assessment of FedEx. In fact in the interview process, I believe they are looking at you to see how you handle yourself and if (in their mind) you would be a good guy to spend a week or two with in the cockpit, flying around the world, and socially, after flying. Because once you're out there, you are basically alone with your fellow crewmembers.
The corporate culture here at FedEx is a very nice one, at least relative to other freight carrying airlines. In my opinion, it is night and day different from the culture at UPS. (Before you UPS'ers hammer me, understand 2 things: first, I worked there as a pilot; and secondly, I still have friends there whom I keep in touch with.) At FedEx, for the most part, everyone tries to get along. We have very few managers who try to rule by intimidation (discounting Fred's red letters), and when I've had a problem, either personal (family member or myself getting sick), or a professional issue, I've always found that everyone comes to your aid. (Others' circumstances and experiences may vary.)
At any rate, you have a decision as to whether you want to continue to cater to a person of a few people, or just show up for your trips, fly them, have the best time you can, finish your trip, and then go home and enjoy your time off, with family and friends. FedEx and UPS can offer a good, secure (if there's such a thing) future, one that will, over time compensate you well. It is a really good job.
And as for our 727's going away.....When the very last 757/MD-11/A-300 is flown to a bone yard somewhere, a 727 freighter and crew will fly those pilots back to planet Mempho.
