Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Airline Pilot Forums > Cargo
Leave a “Big Three” for FedEx/UPS (CV19)? >

Leave a “Big Three” for FedEx/UPS (CV19)?

Notices
Cargo Part 121 cargo airlines

Leave a “Big Three” for FedEx/UPS (CV19)?

Old 05-02-2020, 05:07 AM
  #1  
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Feb 2016
Position: NBC
Posts: 763
Default Leave a “Big Three” for FedEx/UPS (CV19)?

If offered a job, should I leave a “Big Three” major for FedEx or UPS?

Five years at a major, likely going to be furloughed. Passenger traffic forecasted to return to pre-CV levels in 2022/23. FedEx and UPS are both hiring, and cargo seems very immune to the typical calamities that torpedo AA/DL/UA, especially in a social distancing Amazon-dominated world.

I left WN off the list because they planned for a rainy day and will likely survive this.

Will be applying to FedEx and UPS this weekend.
Speed Select is offline  
Old 05-02-2020, 06:20 AM
  #2  
Gets Weekends Off
 
3pointlanding's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jan 2011
Posts: 307
Default

Originally Posted by Speed Select View Post
If offered a job, should I leave a “Big Three” major for FedEx or UPS?

Five years at a major, likely going to be furloughed. Passenger traffic forecasted to return to pre-CV levels in 2022/23. FedEx and UPS are both hiring, and cargo seems very immune to the typical calamities that torpedo AA/DL/UA, especially in a social distancing Amazon-dominated world.

I left WN off the list because they planned for a rainy day and will likely survive this.

Will be applying to FedEx and UPS this weekend.
I hope you make it, Purple is a great choice. Do yourself a favor and take the prep course at Emerald Coast. It will be well worth the money.
3pointlanding is offline  
Old 05-02-2020, 06:23 AM
  #3  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,256
Default

I wonder how many Big-3 pilots are doing the same thing, or waiting to see how the summer goes with travel numbers etc.
senecacaptain is offline  
Old 05-02-2020, 06:27 AM
  #4  
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Feb 2016
Position: NBC
Posts: 763
Default

Originally Posted by senecacaptain View Post
I wonder how many Big-3 pilots are doing the same thing, or waiting to see how the summer goes with travel numbers etc.
IMO, those who wait will be left without a chair when the music stops.
Speed Select is offline  
Old 05-02-2020, 06:31 AM
  #5  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,256
Default

Originally Posted by Speed Select View Post
IMO, those who wait will be left without a chair when the music stops.
wow, very good point.
senecacaptain is offline  
Old 05-02-2020, 06:40 AM
  #6  
The NeverEnding Story
 
BoilerUP's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,475
Default

IMO, as a UPS pilot:

This was a once-a-century event that was exacerbated by the government response to it. Not sure I'd throw away five years at a legacy (that's gotta put you what, 75-80% total seniority?) to start over at the bottom of the UPS or FDX list but there's little downside in applying, interviewing if selected, then making a hard choice if offered a class.

Unlike the early 2000s, the three pax legacies have massive retirements over the next few years which hopefully will help reduce the numbers and length of any furlough.

Caveat emptor, YMMV, etc.
BoilerUP is offline  
Old 05-02-2020, 06:46 AM
  #7  
Gets Weekends Off
 
bababouey's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2014
Posts: 774
Default

Originally Posted by BoilerUP View Post
IMO, as a UPS pilot:

This was a once-a-century event that was exacerbated by the government response to it. Not sure I'd throw away five years at a legacy (that's gotta put you what, 75-80% total seniority?) to start over at the bottom of the UPS or FDX list but there's little downside in applying, interviewing if selected, then making a hard choice if offered a class.

Unlike the early 2000s, the three pax legacies have massive retirements over the next few years which hopefully will help reduce the numbers and length of any furlough.

Caveat emptor, YMMV, etc.
I think a big component to the decision is your projected seniority. Mine is really good, although I work for the weakest carrier. If I was going to retire outside the top 2000 at a legacy, I would bail.
bababouey is offline  
Old 05-02-2020, 06:48 AM
  #8  
Line Holder
 
Captjim's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Position: MD11 Gear Jerk
Posts: 45
Default

Originally Posted by senecacaptain View Post
I wonder how many Big-3 pilots are doing the same thing, or waiting to see how the summer goes with travel numbers etc.
By the amount of texts and calls from guys I haven't talked to in years, A LOT!
Captjim is offline  
Old 05-02-2020, 07:09 AM
  #9  
Gets Weekends Off
 
robxjt27's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Aug 2013
Posts: 214
Default

9-11, 2008 recession, Covid-19. Ask yourself who has weathered those the best. Passenger or cargo? Cargo is about the most security you’ll ever have in this industry. Good luck.
robxjt27 is offline  
Old 05-02-2020, 09:40 AM
  #10  
Gets Weekends Off
 
LunkerHunter's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Apr 2018
Position: MEM HSBY
Posts: 166
Default

Best of luck. While FedEx is currently conducting new hire classes, we have not done any interviews since last year. Indoc classes are being filled from a pool of ppl who interviewed late summer/fall... pool was 200 ish and now probably down to 150 give or take. Our hiring decisions / projections seem to be a moving target at this point that depends on each new quarterly earnings report. UPS hiring appears to have been much more steady over the last five months.
LunkerHunter is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Guard Dude
Delta
201720
04-06-2022 06:59 AM
DoubleTrouble
Major
12
05-25-2012 09:06 AM
hummingbear
Foreign
79
06-12-2010 05:56 PM
fr8rcaptain
Cargo
0
05-12-2009 03:20 PM
ERJ135
Major
30
05-17-2008 06:57 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices