Originally Posted by NightSort

As negotiations drag on and our pilot group continues to absorb hit after hit—outsourcing, reduced pay, operational instability, fatigue—it’s worth stepping back and asking how we got here.

There’s no denying that Fred Smith built something impressive in the early days of FedEx. For many of our more senior pilots, there’s a deep emotional connection to that story—a sense of loyalty to the founder, and even a bit of mythology around what FedEx once represented. The “Church of Fred” has strong roots, and there’s nothing wrong with taking pride in where we came from.

But the culture Fred created—and the leadership team he personally left behind—have evolved into something that often works directly against the interests of pilots. The romanticized version of FedEx, where loyalty was mutual, careers were secure, and “Fred will take care of us”, no longer reflects our lived reality.

We’re flying less, earning less, and being used as a flexible labor pool to patch operational holes. Meanwhile, some still shed purple tears for a legacy that hasn’t protected us from any of this.

This isn’t about disrespect—it’s about clarity. We can honor the past without letting nostalgia blind us to the present. It’s been four years without a contract. The only legacy that matters now is the one we fight to create: a fair agreement based on industry standards that reflects the value we bring to this company—today.