Originally Posted by dudemanbro

Great thread. Maybe a dumb question but trying to gather data so for making my career decision in the very near future.

Same situation as the original poster. Easy commute to ATL for DAL. 4 flights a day and 5 hr drive. Have the ability to sit long call from home and have buddies that do short call and catch a flight back that evening. My perception is that the logistics and near term (first 1-2 years) would make DAL an easy choice.

For FedEx, it is a 7 hour drive and have been told it's one of the tougher commutes (I live in the gulf and plan on staying). The senior FedEx guys who live here have built up their travel banks and just buy tickets when required.

It seems FedEx is designed for commuters and the deadhead trips are here to stay. Does anyone have any info on what aircraft have the most? For example 75 seems to have a lot. Also OAK 76 seems to have a ton too based on Hong Kong not being a base. I'd like to do do 77MEM. I hear the DDH are very senior. I totally understand I need to pay my dues and will sit reserve in MEM.

So for commuters, you basically have to be in MEM for RA and RB correct? Since they are 1.5 call out?

I am just trying to set expectations for my family. My current assessment is that the first 2-3 years will be rough and I will spend a lot of time in MEM on reserve if I get 777 or anything else for that matter. Ultimately goal is DDH and no crash pad / car in MEM.

ps: I know bros waiting a long long time (10+ years) to achieve that and that I am super super lucky with my timing and hiring wave that it could be sooner. First world problems, just trying to set near term expectations for my family.

Bottom line, long term FedEx seems like a win. I do have a reserve gig at our current location which may help. I don't plan on chasing a mil retirement if i get on with FedEx since cargo seems very stable in my opinion. If I were to go DAL, I'd def stay in as an insurance policy.

Open to feedback! Thanks.