Will FDX hire in '09?
 

Just trying to decide what to do guys...

I've been in the pool at FDX for about a year and a half now, and I will add, I feel extremely privileged to be in that position.

My wife and I have been through a few ups and downs while in the pool. They might hire me into ANC next month... no, they might hire me into CVG/HKG within a couple of months/when the bid closes/when the next bid closes... no, at least not for now.

Again, I repeat that I am absolutely thrilled to be in the FDX pool. Just want to make sure this does not come across as a complaint, because it isn't.

The thing is, with the economy still sliding, the dollar still sliding, FDX being overmanned by 200-300 pilots, the 727 being replaced by the 757... I wonder if poolies will actually have a chance in '09. The reason this is a concern to me is that the carrier I fly for just went into Ch11 and the end could be near... :eek:

I have an opportunity to fly for Emirates. The big, big downside to taking the job is that I would no longer fulfill the "5-year US residency" requirement FDX has for new-hires, and would therefore be out of the pool. So, after working so hard to get the FDX interview (like many of you did I'm sure) and finally getting it and being successful, it would really hurt to say good-bye to my number one pick, and long-time career goal. The upside to Emirates would be a significant growth plan that would provide me with the possibility of upgrading in a widebody within 3-4 years...

Even though I want to tough it out while I wait in the pool, I want to make the decision that's best for my family. I am happy to wait in the US in the FDX pool, but if my airline goes under, I would find it very competitive to get one of the few decent domestic flying jobs while I wait in the pool. Also, the Emirates/Cathay-like opportunities would also become a bit more competitive...

If you were patient enough to read the whole post, I appreciate it. Just seeking some advice from some of you out there who have been around for a while and have more experience than I do. I also would appreciate the perspective from someone seeing this from the outside.

With the current picture at FDX, what would you do?

I would be very very surprised if fedex hires in 09. We are projected to be fat for awhile. You could always try and get hired as a professional instructor and go to the line in three years.

PM me, I might be able to help.

Done.......

CloudSailor...Have you considered calling KD in pilot hiring and getting clarification on the residency requirement? I am probably wrong but; I believe if you maintain a residency in the USA while working for Emirates and "commute" to work that would satisfy the requirement.

Except Emirates has no commute.. I turned them down for interview when I found out just the other day. :(

Good question. I will think it over and get a better handle on it. But, for now, this is my best WAG.


500 overmanned is more accurate. Depends on how you look at it. The schedule could be covered by 500 fewer pilots when you consider the excess out of the DC10.

But when the 777 bid comes and retirements start again (Some guys will actually retire in '09 and '10 bumping against 65) '09 might be when hiring begins again. But it could be '10 under a certain set of conditions.

Might get some newhires to HKG this year. Better info will be available after the bid closes 5 June.


I'm awfully curious what was given to you in the PM...

Even though I want to tough it out while I wait in the pool, I want to make the decision that's best for my family.

CloudSailor - good luck with your decision and it's a tough decision for sure. A few months ago I ran into a 777 Emirates pilot who was back in the US for a couple of weeks (not sure if he was CA or FO but he'd been there for about three years). He said that he enjoyed his job but was getting tired of living overseas; also his wife was not very happy being away from home... He said that given a chance he’d leave for Fedex or UPS (I’m at big brown) yesterday, I was surprised to hear that considering he’d already worked there for several years and built up some seniority…

In the past FDX was always looking for sim instructors who were then locked in that position for 3 years I believe? If they’re still looking for sim instructors would that be an option for you?

Good luck to you.

I would ask KD about it. If you are in the Pool, the basic requirements have been met. I would think if you kept some sort of residence in the US, even if its your parents address, you'd be ok.

PS I don't see us hiring till 2010 at least.

Cloud,

Are Atlas, Polar, World, Omni, or ATI hiring? I'm just throwing that out there... haven't done any research but that would keep a US address anyway.