flysocal77

My ex room mate just landed a job with Fed Ex and starts school in January. He's starting off as a SO in a 727 and is looking forward to a fast upgrade to FO. Of course he wouldn't have gotten the interview in a million years if his dad wasn't one of the training captains! I think he had about 4500 hours with 2000 hours mixed in King Airs, Lear 55 and Hawker.

Aparently getting the interview is the hard part. I've heard comments like "they don't want to waste their time and they want to hire everyone" You just have to meet criteria and pass the tests and interviews, trying to screen those that wouldn't fit in. I realize its not this easy!

My goal is to fly cargo. I just like the idea of it and right now the best paying jobs are in cargo too. I know of people flying at Skywest and other regionals with the same goals. I don't want to be one of those pilots to be working my way in seniority at one airline and quit to switch to my dream job.

Anybody reading this that works at UPS or Fed Ex or anywhere else for that matter that can offer some advice it would be much appreciated.

I'm 28 with about 3400hrs, 1000 multi and 500 turbine. Getting typed in a westwind in January, currently flying 500hrs year part 135. Finished my BS this year. Thanks Guys!

To Stay or Go

Stay tight with your ex roommate and get in to FedEx!! Even SWA pays a helluva lot more than UPS and treat their pilots like they are valued.

koz2000

Definitely stay tight with your roomate. If his dad is still there when you meet the mins, he might be willing to help you as well. One captain can't necessarily get you an interview, but he can definitely keep "nagging" the right people to look at your resume/application. Make sure you have some time flying with either your roomate, his dad or someone who works there. That make a world of difference when someone recommends you. Keep you logs in good order. Try to get a meet and greet at both the cargo companies. Letting the right people be able to put a face with a name helps plus them knowing you'll spend the time and money to come in doesn't hurt either.

4th and Goal

Why are you so hateful toward your company? You seem like a really depressing guy to hang out with and have a beer. I work for UPS, and yes I am really ****ed about the contract, but you being a new dude, you talk way too much ****. Lighten up newbee!!

flysocal77

Is anybody getting interviews at ups or Fed Ex that doesn't have internal recomends? Are there any qualifications that would get any attention or is it only who you know that matters here?

koz2000

at FDX you have to have some (3) internal recommendations and one sponsor. You might have all the spaceshuttle, AirForce1, stealth -qualifications in the world and still be a jackass. Your sponsor somewhat puts his reputation on the line for you.

Who you know will help get you in the door and that's 80% of it. The rest is solely up to you. Had your roomate gotten to the interview and been a arrogant jerk in the panel or blown the sim, he wouldn't have the job.

Ranger

The internal is a must. Sorry, but it does make sense. It narrows down an otherwise huge group of applications. And it gives flight management (God bless their pointed little heads) what they really want- some inside information on a qualified applicant. It may not be fair to those who don't know a FedEx pilot but it seems to be working well. I fly with 18 month MD-11 F/O's all of the time and most do a very good job.

dckozak

1. Move to Memphis
2. Buy house in Germantown, Collierville, or one of the other Fedex ghetto's in the area.
3. Join the church with the most (senior) Fedex pilots, have wife get involved in organization.
4. Join local country club, than see above. (BTW, can't afford x-c, get a job there as a Kattie
5. If not married, above still applies, just date mgt pilot's daughters (one at a time, not at same time )
6. Get any job at Fedex while following advise 3, 4, and 5.
7. Learn to like fried catfish and BBQ