Fxfan

What advantage would someone have, as an internal handler, over the rest of the applicants for pilot positions?

FDX aviator

It really depends on the person. I was one of those that had a hard pwr off switch at about 2330, but found that my body clock was pretty adjustable. I have (mostly) no problem staying awake while I'm on a trip, but I sometimes have a big problem with getting proper rest during my first day in a hotel...

Even if your body clock is relatively resettable (is that a word?), it probably hurts you in the long run just as bad as the other guys who do have a problem with resetting their body clock. It also helps if your family understands that you REALLY need your sleep when you're either at home on a day layover or in a hotel.

FDX aviator

This has been beat to death elsewhere, but the short version is that at FedEx, if you already have the minimum time req, you have a guaranteed interview if you've been in your current position for 12 months and they're interviewing. It doesn't necessarily get you the job, but at least you're ahead of the other few thousand poor slobs begging for an interview. Even then, it helps a bunch to have some friends on the inside do interviews and sponsor you for the pilot job.
Good luck!

I was hired about 6 yrs ago (pre 9/11), and I often wonder/doubt if I'd get hired in today's hiring environment. Of course, we all know we're superpilots , but getting a job here is nearly impossible without friends/sponsors.

Jetjok

Don, I don't care if you change your name to Dennis or not! Just keep posting photos of your sister.

And for you, Razor, after saying: "Great info guys. I think flying for FedEx would be a super job, but the night stuff is hard on the body. These days I'm ready for bed at 9:30! I'm not sure I could handle a schedule with 3:00 AM show times for very long.", I'd suggest that you get that job with Southwest, become very senior, very quickly, and fly their PHX to TUS flights only. That way you can stay in the same time zone. As well, you could probably ask to start work around 9 or 9:30 AM and finish about 4 or 5 PM, in time to watch Days of Our Lives. You wuss!

BoxFlyer

In general, a great company to fly for. There's all kinds of flying to be done, take your pick based on seniority. Most pilots are enjoyable to fly with, it's like being back in the squadron all over again. When you look at the big picture: financial security, upgrades, new planes, growth, etc, there's no other company I'd rather fly for.

Pilot7576

Razor...

Doesn't the airforce make you fly at night? That is the bread and butter flying for the cargo outfits. If you really don't like it, then don't bother applying...you will be miserable and make everyone else around you miserable with your complaints.

JMO

Pilot7576

fdx727pilot

The following is what I consider a bad trip from the MEM 727 Nov bidpack (I would use Dec, but all the trips get screwed around in the pre-Xmas period.)

111 SU REPORT AT 21:30 (15:30 L.T.) EFFECTIVE NOV 05-NOV 12
FULL CREW
DAY FLT. EQP DEPARTS (L.T.) ARRIVES (L.T.) BLK. BLK. DUTY CR. LAYOVER
SU 0736 727 MEM 2230(1630) DSM 0005(1805) 01:35

UNI PARK 515/223-1800 01:35 03:05 03:00M DSM 25:48
TRANS BY SHERATON WEST DES MOINES 515/223-1800

*TU 1637 727 DSM 0323(2123) PIA 0408(2208) 00:45
*TU 1637 727 PIA 0445(2245) IND 0536(0036) 00:51
TU 1737 727 IND 0925(0425) CID 1034(0434) 01:09
TU 1737 727 CID 1109(0509) DSM 1145(0545) 00:36

UNI PARK 515/223-1800 03:21 09:52 06:00 DSM 14:08
TRANS TO HTL CAPITOL & YELLOW CAB 515/243-1111
TRANS FR HTL SHERATON WEST DES MOINES 515/223-1800

*WE 1637 727 DSM 0323(2123) PIA 0408(2208) 00:45
*WE 1637 727 PIA 0445(2245) IND 0536(0036) 00:51
WE 1737 727 IND 0925(0425) CID 1034(0434) 01:09
WE 1737 727 CID 1109(0509) DSM 1145(0545) 00:36

UNI PARK 515/223-1800 03:21 09:52 06:00 DSM 14:08
TRANS TO HTL CAPITOL & YELLOW CAB 515/243-1111
TRANS FR HTL SHERATON WEST DES MOINES 515/223-1800

*TH 1637 727 DSM 0323(2123) PIA 0408(2208) 00:45
*TH 1637 727 PIA 0445(2245) IND 0536(0036) 00:51
TH 1737 727 IND 0925(0425) CID 1034(0434) 01:09
TH 1737 727 CID 1109(0509) DSM 1145(0545) 00:36

UNI PARK 515/223-1800 03:21 09:52 06:00 DSM 14:08
TRANS TO HTL CAPITOL & YELLOW CAB 515/243-1111
TRANS FR HTL SHERATON WEST DES MOINES 515/223-1800

*FR 1637 727 DSM 0323(2123) PIA 0408(2208) 00:45
*FR 1637 727 PIA 0445(2245) IND 0536(0036) 00:51
FR 1737 727 IND 0925(0425) CID 1034(0434) 01:09
FR 1737 727 CID 1109(0509) DSM 1145(0545) 00:36

UNI PARK 515/223-1800 03:21 09:52 06:00 DSM 24:02
TRANS BY CAPITOL & YELLOW CAB 515/243-1111

SA 0403 727 DSM 1317(0717) MEM 1445(0845) 01:28 NOCAT

01:28 02:58 03:00M
CREDIT HRS: 34:26T BLK HRS: 16:27 LDGS: 18 TAFB: 137:45
------------------------------------

Sorry, the formatting doesn't transfer well.

As you can see, 4 legs every night, with 3:50 sit in IND and a 14hr block to block layover in DSM (which actually is a nice hotel, with good restaurants nearby.)

Huck

I did that trip (it used to go through PIA both ways) my first week out of IOE on the 72 panel.

The second night I had an FAA inspector for the first two legs - with a deferred fuel gauge, on a -100. That's right - had to fill out a fuel log in front of a fed!

130JDrvr

Razor,
Here's an idea... Get OUT NOW! And get hired....

You'll prob be better off!

Past...

cma2407

So do they issue a cyanide capsule with the catering on that one? Wow. I'll stick with the int'l Mad Dog stuff. Only so much they can do to you, even if you're junior. And the saying "500 kts between happy hours" still applies...