World is hiring, I know more than a few people there. However, they have a 36 month/xxx $ amount training contact they force you to sign after you get the MD-11 type.

Everyone has their own opinion of the legality of training contracts; I hear about 50/50 generally. But I know people that have left World prior to completion of the training contract, and World actually went after them with lawyers to get xxx dollars back, prorated based on how long the pilot was there.

Whether World was successful in getting any of the money back, or when the pilot refused to send in a check, whether they were successful in putting some back marks on his credit rating, I do not know.

It is 24 months after training is completed at WOA, not 36 months, just FYI.

$48,000 for the MD-11, $24,000 for DC-10.

Best to think "long term"...and from all your posts, I believe you view FDX as your best "long term" employer.

I believe doing the "professional" gig at FDX is your best bet --- and would then recommend staying in the US, if that is what's actually required to fulfill the 5 yr residency requirements.

No one knows when FDX is going to hire (...even FDX ;)), but I bet it's within the next 18-24 months --- so the question is: what flying gigs (or other gigs) can you get with that time horizon/flexibility to tide your family over?

Good luck --- hope to see you on the property "soon".

Hi!

FR8doggie: I think they're ALL hiring. Atlas Worldwide Holdings owns both Atlas and Polar, and they are trying to combine the 2 pilot groups.

Good luck.

cliff
YIP

Thanks for all the responses and advice. Definitely a "hope I had a crystal ball" feeling while in this profession.
I do believe I'll somehow make it work to wait for the FDX call. I'm doing a little sim instruction on the side just to have a little buffer in case things don't go well with my present carrier.
Once again, I appreciate the different perspectives.

You have a great attitude. More guys like you would make anyplace a stellar place to work. By the way--If you are in the pool nothing says you have to take a flying job while waiting to start.

Fish

Cloud,

This is probably going out on a limb, however, just another fools input that could possibly buy you some time.

I'm not sure what constitutes "residency" within the U.S., for the US postal system or FedEx. Having said that, I know that in order to qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion(ie, residency abroad, as it pertains to taxes and the IRS), you must live there one calendar year or something like 330 days in the past 12 months. If you're not considered living abroad until one year after the fact, perhaps you still meet that criteria for FedEx. Of course, all that is really doing is buying a year's worth of time. But then again, maybe that is all you really need.

I think the instructor job would be a better option, if you can land it. Again, just another far-fetched idea to throw out.

Good luck

Be careful with that advice...it is not unheard of for an airline to re-interview after a long time in the pool. United did this in the early/mid 90's and people didn't make it after the 2nd time around because they slacked outside of aviation. I would stay flying...fwiw.

Yes, I've thought of these options. It's just that with the current state of the industry, I would prefer to make my next move my last, for at least 10 years... and like others posted, the training contract could be an issue...

Fish, I wouldn't want to put myself in a position that would only leave FDX on the table... lack of currency, etc. being a concern. Otherwise it would be very nice.