Originally Posted by
FXLAX
I didn’t say anything about union talk. I’m referring the the UPS pilots’ treatment from their management…not good from what I can tell. But maybe I’m wrong about that, IDK? But that’s certainly not the issue at FDX, IMO. Not that it’s 100% roses. Just don’t confuse general complaints (we can complain with the best of airline pilots also) with bad culture.
While definitely not the best culture, you make it sound like it is a total nightmare. It has gotten much better through the years, not Southwest happy happy better, but better nonetheless as old school managers have retired. One thing I have found about UPS vs Fedex… at UPS you know the knife is coming straight at you, and you are prepared (as can be)… at Fedex, you are being pat on the back for a nice job, stroking your ego, while the knife is coming as well, just more subtle. There is a reason the Fedex CBA passes with just over 50% of the vote while UPS passed with 95%. The IPA membership has to be strong to deal with UPS. Nothing gets handed for free, even little things like blankets on long haul flights sometimes is a fight. But like any job, you show up, do it to the best of your ability, and go home without any issues.
Back on point, living in base is priceless!! I have friends at both UPS and Fedex who literally almost never sleep in a Hotel bed. I don’t know how senior you have to be at United to hold that type of schedule, if they exist (out and backs), but I imagine very senior in DEN. Still, driving to work makes this job completely different.
Don’t let the night flying scare you, Fedex has a lot of day flying, lots. And international flying is also vast. The beauty with Fedex is you don’t have to be extremely senior to hold a decent schedule in a WB. I have multiple friends at Fedex who avoid virtually all night flying (as FO). The bad part is it will take some time as a new Captain to hold the same schedules you had as a FO (unless you bypass a long time). 75 Captain is almost exclusively night flying (from the last bid pack I saw).
If I were already at United, living in base, I would stay. If I were looking to get hired now, I would take first one that calls. I do think United is the most comparable to Fedex due to amount of WB aircraft. Delta and American are the incredible WB shrinking airlines, wouldn’t touch them.
Also, pay attention to not just living in base, that is huge, but also benefits, ie medical, disability, retirement, ability to adjust your schedule, vacation flexibility, etc. For example, Fedex has one of the best, if not the best vacation rules of any carrier. And because they still have hard lines, you can still conflict bid. United has PBS.