Originally Posted by
jetstar1
I too have been in the pool since December '06. This is good news. does everyone think that all new hires will be 727 so's? With only ~100 pilots will we be so's for a while?
Thanks,
Complete conjecture --- but, yes, I think if they hire in 2011 or in 2012, the odds are those new hires will initially be 727 SOs, unless they have unfilled vacancies in FDAs like Hong Kong --- then, perhaps, a A300 or MD-11 FO directly (...buyer be ware!!)
In 2013 and beyond, I think there is a chance new hires could go straight to 757 FO seat --- as the 727 continues it's slow drawdown toward retirement and the bow wave of pilot retirements, which starts in Dec 2012, begins to occur.
My guess is that in 2013 and beyond, up to 20% of pilots reaching age 65 may choose to continue their FEDEX careers as 727 SOs.
This convergence of events will determine how many "new hire" SOs they actually need.
The 727 SO seat could end up looking just like the DC-10 SO seat during it's last few years on the property.