Originally Posted by
SilentLurker
There was a recent Fox Business News video interview with Fred Smith. Google search it. Very enlightening.
Quote above is correct Fred Smith does not see Amazon as a threat, and put out a figure that without Amazon they transport millions of packages a day, and generate income from various sources, and FedEx business model is resilient without Amazon and is still growing.
The interview also touched on Unmanned Cargo flight research and development, improved distribution efficiencies potentials, facilities upgrades (increases CapItal Expenditures) thanks to new tax law, and international growth. Lots of money out there!
On a side note, UPS also just ordered like 14 Boeing 747 to keep the production alive a couple more years. Amazing really.
We are living in interesting times, a lot of growth and money out there. Companies are looking to spend on growth, acquisitions, and people.
Robots, 1 /single pilots crew, then unmanned automation are a couple years away in Fed Smiths life time (as he put it in the interview), 1 leap in technology/discovery & costs can shorten that time frame.
Fly safe, enjoy the growth, put yourself in position to take advantage of opportunities inside and outside of aviation, and earn enough to cushion yourself during any down-cycle.
I listened to the interview. He said they’re heavily looking into autonomous trucks and aircraft. He would be doing his shareholders a disservice if he didn’t look into them.
Now whether those autonomous vehicles and aircraft ever become certified and proven they will be cheaper than manned vehicles is the big question.