TOAD

I'm looking for some advice/thoughts on the importance of recent flight time when applying for a Fedex pilot position. I'm a 20-yr USAF type who flew the first 15-yrs and then got the dreaded desk tour last. I could have gone back to the cockpit but didn't want to extend and wanted to stay where I am for the location. I have approximately 4500 TT with most of it in the KC-135 and about 500 in the B1900. Will my stagnant logbook hurt me or will it not be a big deal? Would it help (much) to go down to the local FBO and get some stick time? Appreciate any and all words of wisdom.

TonyC

Recency of experience is imperative.



Having recommendations from 3 current FedEx pilots with whom you have flown is also imperative.






- The truth only hurts if it should -

TOAD

So would it do to get some time down at the local FBO for the next few months? How much should I shoot for? What type (SEL, MEL, etc)?

Another question: I took the FE written and ATP flight about 13 years ago. Would I need to get those updated prior to applying?

Pilotpip

Go to your local FBO. Get checked out in a twin. Fly it around. Get a biennial flight review and while you're at it, get your intstrument proficiency taken care of too.

The ATP written, if it's like the others, is only valid for 24 months after the test date so you'll have to retake it.

koz2000

No, you can apply with only a SS#, will you get a call, No. You'll need to retake the FE written since it has expired, as pilotpip said. As I was told from someone who knows the in's and out of the hiring process, you need to have a current FE written or rating or you'll be automatically disqualified from getting an interview.
Get your ATP (if you don't have it (From what I've heard ALL-ATPs is a pretty painless way to get your ATP)), get your FE written, and make all the contacts you can.

TipTip35

Toad,

If to havent alrady done so take a look at the "Good ATP schools" thread in the military transition room on this forum. I put a post in there and a few other guys put in what they did to get their ATP done. Also the FAA website has a question bank for the FE exam on their website. You can downloaded and then get Gleim or someone to give you the answers. Of course you can still give AllATPs $300 and do it through them....

FDXFLYR

I used AllATPs and recommend them. You will get your ATP and regain your touch a bit. Then I recommend you go to a sim prep company. I know there's one in MEM that preps for just the FedEx check profile. That'll get you comfortable in the sim and give you the knowledge of how the sim check goes. Get three current fedEx pilots to recommend you and at least one who will do a face-to-face with his RCP/ACP for you because that's the key to getting invited to the interview.

I don't think recent experience in a twin will do you any good for our sim check, so I don't see wasting your time or money for just that.

For the FE written: just buy an ARCO test prep book and pour over that for a month or two then take the test again. It doesn't matter whether you have an FE written or an FE ticket because everyone goes through FE training if that's the seat you get. My 727FE training partner was a former LCA in the 727 and they still sent him through the whole program--having an FE ticket does not get you preference in an interview with FedEx.

HoursHore

For the FE written, use Sheppardair.com. You can download the question bank with the answers to your computer. Just like going to all ATP's, (which I did the first time) and slogging thru thier database. ALOT cheaper, and you can do it on your own time. Just do thier reccomended questions, find a testing center, and you can knock it out with one day ( or two if you want to space it out) to meorize the answers, and one morning to knock out the test.

TOAD

Thanks to all for the advice. Just to clarify, I also took the ATP written and flight check about 13 years ago as well. So, it sounds like I need to update both the FE written and ATP and then find some old buds who are now at Fedex for recommendations, get some basic hours, in whatever I can find/afford, to update my "recent" experience and then get a sim prep course.

If anybody knows any former KC-135 drivers at Fedex can you have them PM me or use this thread. My flying past includes Robins, Mountain Home, Altus and Osan (C-12s). I taught a lot of students at Altus from 95'-99' so hopefully I can locate someone (or two, or three) who I flew with that's now with Fedex. If I busted them on a checkride then just tell them never mind.

koz2000

If you did the flight check (checkride) and have an ATP certificate there's no need to do anything with the ATP, just the FE written.