Albief15

I get a PM here and there asking about the hiring picture at FedEx and wanting advice for those wanting to be on the team. I thought I'd share a few thoughts with the crowd and get that info out here. I apologize if this is repetitive info.

First point--nobody on this board has 100% SA on when or if we will hire again or where new hires will go. Its not that anyone is holding out info, its simply that there are a lot of moving parts right now. The LOA and the DC-10 displacement bid were 2 of those parts, and the fog appears to be clearing on both issues. The next issues are the potential age 60 change, its date of implementation, and the possiblity of retro being included or excluded. At our company the difference is about 150-170 pilots, which while not statistically huge means about (traditionally) 6-8 months worth of hiring that won't be needed. Add the reduction of 3 man crews and I don't think anyone has a huge handle on exactly how many NEW pilots we will need. Another wrinkle is our latest contract which allows us to pick up trips until the day prior--trips that in the past went to guys on reseve. This means a more efficient us of reserves and therefore (I postulate) a requirement for less bodies camped around the phone waiting for the call. And oh yeah...those FDAs. Going junior or senior? If they go unfilled--will we hire new bodies or just STV unmercilessly for 2 years? Time will tell....

So...what is a guy or gal who says he's bled purple since he was 10 to do?

There are two very good jobs that I've seen some great folks get into along the way--FedEx Pro Instructor and the Corporate flight department. I'm not going to spout a bunch of info on these jobs, as I'm not the expert--but we've got regular posters here who've done some of those jobs. Either job is a three year committment--you go the line in three years but with your seniority number starts the day you hit the line, not the day you start corporate or the instructor cadre. However--you WILL get the line when there is a vacancy, and in the big scheme of hiring windows 3 years isn't that long. Additionally--both are solid jobs--you paychecks will clear, you'll be working with good people, and you'll learn the company. In fact, some say the corporate gig is the best deal in the business...flying a corporate lifestyle but with an airline schedule--firm days off, no beeper ops, and a solid flight department. A few guys, especially those a little older, elect to stay there instead of using the move to the line option.

A couple years ago an Eagle driver I knew got on as a pro-IP. We were hiring in good numbers then--without the meet and greet--but this guy felt he wasn't that competitive and he wanted IN. I wondered if he was making the right call. Then we quit hiring--for almost 2 years. When we did hire again, we had the now infamous M&G process and even getting an interview was a challenge. In the midst of all that choas, he just slid right over to the line, and now eats mini-snacks on reserve and is doing fine on the line while living in MEM. I've looked at him many times and said "um...okay...now I get it..."

So--if you are looking for another angle...there are some options. I think some of our board regulars can probably help you out with more detailed info.

727cap

Albief15, I think you will get a interview but you wdo not go directly to the line, I thought there was a IP who did not make it to the line.

Albief15

Are you sure? In the past, someone from our flight department (an ACP) was usually interviewing...for that very reason. Is this a change?

Purpledriver

Two friends of mine just finished up the 3 year deal in the training department as a pro...They both rolled to the line right at the 3 year point with no additional interviews or any BS. I think the guy that 727cap was talking about is a guy that was a pro before the new system was in place. Now pros need to pass the complete line pilot interview in order to get the professional instructor job....before they didn't and had to jump through the interview hoop again at the end. I wasn't a pro....just repeating the deal that these two guys had...

fdxdisco

Purpledriver is right. In the old system they were hired as instructors which gave them a guranteed shot at an interview. Some made it through, some didn't. Now, they do their 3 years and go to the line. For the MD11, they get a Captain checkout and teach either systems or basic sims. Other than not getting a line number up front it's a good deal.
Disco

A7AV8OR

I was Pro Instructor before coming to the line. Except for the pay and the commute, yes I commuted, it was a great experience. Not an easy job since you are expected to be "the expert" in your field in a short period of time, but there's lots of time off to play golf or whatever. Better to live in Mempho or Mississippi. I would highly recommend this route as an insurance policy.

CloudSailor

I'm not an expert either, but know there was a Mesaba captain at my interview earlier this year who was interviewing for a Sim Instructor position. He did everything we all did, including sim, panel interview, and computer-based questions... He told us the same you've posted Albie, that at 3 years, he could transfer to the line, even if it meant a ground school class consisting of only himself. He got the job.

Haywood JB

The process now for the pro's is when they interview, they do a duel interview. They have to pass to get hired. That means they are good enough for both. This gives them there get out of M&G free card. FWIW, my sim partner was a pro, and I asked him when he was coming to the line, and that's how he explained it. So after their three year commitment in the sim building, they can come to the line whenever they want, or stay on the por side.

HJ

Cork32

How do you apply for one of these positions? How often are these jobs available? How do they pay? I don't see anything about it on the FedEx's pilot career webpage.

Strut

Hay. Did your dogs write that, or just do the spell check?