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.

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.

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.

wow, very good point.

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.

By the amount of texts and calls from guys I haven't talked to in years, A LOT!

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.

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.