Bottom line to answer all your questions ------> seniority is everything. Jumpseats are plentiful and off-line jumpseats are readily available from IAH.

You won't be able to show up on day one and live the "easy life" for the rest of your career. Night flying will be extensive your first year, assuming you are a B-727 FE. Reserve pilot utilization in the 727 is very high. You will be working your arse off!

Morale is not good. Mainly due to extended negotiations while record profits and executive bonuses are abundant. This is THE BEST airline on the planet for current profitability, growth, and advancement. Our newest 727 Captain is under 4 years on the property. Widebody F/O within a year. 2nd year pay for widebody F/O is approx 120K. Not bad. Can be and should be better based on the contributions we make to record profitability and the schedules we endure.

However, just because you are the prettiest TURD in the punchbowl, still makes you a TURD. What I'm saying is this -- the airline pilot lifestyle and benefits of the past are dwindling all around you, so FedEx is still an airline job -- some just stink more than others. Capeche?.

Management at ANY airline will smile at you while plunging the dagger into your forehead. This will continue until the Apocalypse. Read "Flying the Line" Parts 1 and 2 as well as "Confessions of a Union Buster". Tremendous insight into the history of airlines and management goons who will never change.

Who knows what the future holds, but compared to the pax world, FredEx and UPS are pretty sweet options. First year pay at UPS is criminal and advancement is significantly slower. Smaller airline, fewer airplanes, fewer pilots, less growth. Not a slam on the Brown Boys, just facts.

FedEx: 80% of the time, it's a sweet job. 20% of the time you wished you sold insurance and worked 9 to 5.

You take the good with the bad like any job. You get hired here and you have hit the proverbial jackpot. Good Luck.

NKA