Deez340

For what it's worth, this has been a recurring theme i hear a lot from friends and jumpseat riders. I've heard pilots for both say that you get the overwhelming feeling that:

FedEx is an airline that owns some trucks while UPS is a trucking company that owns some planes.

That being said I don't think you can go wrong either way.

N570UP

Our training building is a complete disgrace for an airline this size. It basically is a couple trailers put together. Come to think of it, pretty much all the buildings here are put together with multiple trailers, freaking sad for a company making this much money.

I flew for a part 135 outfit that has better facilities.

FIT59

Please, all of you who don't like your jobs, QUIT! It sounds like we have a new generation of whiners.

Our jobs are great. The flying is fun, the people are friendly and the paychecks NEVER bounce. We will all retire multi-millionaires and we did so flying airplanes from one party to the next.

Jetjok

That's always been one of the key issues facing guys who are lucky enough to get an offer from both FedEx and UPS. That of deciding on which company they'd want to spend a career at, based on: 1) sleep facilities at the hubs; 2) uniform color and texture; 3) training buildings for those twice-a-year visits; 4) first year (probationary) pay; 5) ramp transportation; 6) IPA vs. ALPA; 7) leather jackets for free or "points"; 8) well, hopefully you get the idea.

Whereas the above issues are there, over the course of a career, I can't see any of them as deal-breakers for either going to, or not going to either company. Both offer good pay, job security, a decent retirement (at least for now), some daylight and some nighttime flying, and a bunch of other enticements that make both rather hard to turn down.

But why oh why did UPS decide on that really horrible color brown for those uniforms???

N570UP

You sound like a 25 yr old commuter pilot.

767pilot

and you sound like a domestic guy

Jetpilot

If you have the luxury of choosing either, you probably won't go wrong with your choice and JetJok sums it up nicely. For those who don't have that luxury you'll be better off than choosing anywhere else.

Comparing systems. UPS is a trucking company with jets, FDX is an airline, buying trucks to fly less stuff on their jets. Trucks are the RJ's of our world, we lost that battle at UPS before we knew it was a fight. I"m not sure FDX will fare any better.

UPS's domestic system is as "syncronized" as it will likely get vs FDX which should experience some domestic aircraft shrinkage as Fred gets more efficient with his trucks. That should negatively effect progression at FDX. How much, who knows. New hires are getting to commute a lot further at either place, but further at FDX, again for now. UPS seems to be in it's usual plodding growth mode. Boring but pretty predictable.

Within 5 years who makes more "hourly" will be determined by who's ink is still drying on the contract. UPS has a great set up for those who are not chasing the biggest W-2 on the property, as guarantee is better here. If you choose the right fleet, you simply won't fly on reserve. I know guys that live in Domicile and work hard to not work. FDX seems to be willing to let you play with your schedule much more than UPS does, that would be cool, and far outside the brown "control freak" mentality.

As for the money, I don't care how much I can make if I work my *** off, I want to make as much as possible for as little work as I have to do. I worked hard earlier in my career so I wouldn't have to now. It's occuring to me that I'll do better at this at UPS than FDX. The guarantee is better at Brown.

FDX has the classic airline pay setup, bigger jet = more pay, so generally you'll find the most senior pilots on the biggest jets. At UPS since the pay is essentially the same on any fleet(only international override differs), the tendancy is to chase QoL. So since the fancy new 747's are in ANC, they end up going junior because there is no financial incentive for a senior guy to go there other than "just gotta fly it".

For now, you are one of Fred's darlings at FDX. At UPS you'll always be an "expense center" and the upper level boxheads will always see you as such (man we pay them way too much and they NEVER work), but with a few well known and notable exceptions, the blue collar types at UPS are not that tough to get along with, most are quite nice and helpful, thus far.

Otherwise JetJok sums it up much more nicely. The minimalist training building I could care less about. The chairs there are comfy enough and the sims usually work. I try not to spend much time there anymore. The changing of the jacket "deal" is a crock, and I got mine when they were free. I still wear my old black one at home when I want to look fashionable.

To sum it up for me, the flying was most fun when the pay was the worst, and it's still fun to fly. And... there are a few very unhappy, very rich people posting in this thread, and a few that are very unhappy that are merely only gonna be rich....

Cheers, off to look for these alleged parties during the 3 hours left on my 14 hour layover....

CactusCrew

In this whole UPS vs FedEx debate, hasn't one point been overlooked by the ORIGINAL poster ... the guy from Polar or Atlas or whatever

Neither are hiring at the present time !

So pick the FIRST one you can get an interview at and actually HIRES you ...

It took me 17 years and 3 other airlines until Brown gave me the call. Who in their right mind would say, naah ... I think I'll wait for FedEx ... ??? This certainly AIN'T rocket science.

Back to the regularly scheduled wine and cheese fest ...


Later, Brown CC

TheBaron

That is a common misconception I have heard from several people. FedEx Express (Purple and Orange) and FedEx Freight (Blue and Red) are not independent contractors. They are employees of FedEx Corporation. FedEx Ground and Home (Purple and Green) are the independent group. Our ground network is not as fragmented as you seem to think. We also have an obligation to the U.S. Post Office to move priority and express mail via air...and I think we still have about 6 years on that contract. No doubt a truck is the most cost effective way to move a package that isn't as time critical, but our growth is coming from international express...that won't work on a truck or a boat or a train. Whatever domestic flying we lose to new efficiencies in our trucking operation will more than be made up by increased IP. I hope.

767pilot

Details, Details!