Any tips/suggestions?
 

Hey guys.
I'm 22 and a low time pilot. My dream is to fly for FDX. I've got about two years left on my college degree and i'm going to start my instrument training soon. I've got a buddy who's a handler at KSNA and i'm just waiting for something to open up on the ramp so i can get my foot in the door for the future. I would join the military but without my contacts my eyes are 20/80, and they only allow up to 20/70, so thats out. But besides what i'm already doing, do any of you FDX guys have any tips for me. I want this more than anything and your input will be appreciated. Thank you.

Sounds like what you are doing is a good start. You need hours and if the military is not an option you are going to be forced to do the commuter pilot deal. That is about the only option you have. Pays terrible and hard work, but if you keep a job with FedEx as a box thrower it will get your foot in the door. You also need to befriend some FedEx pilots so they can recommend you someday. You are going to need 1000 hours PIC in a large turbine engine aircraft to even be looked at so get busy and do it. good luck.

Tip
 

Spend the next 10 years building as much flight time as you can. After that join the NASA space program. Get as many shuttle launches as you can. After about your 5th shuttle launch they may look at you.

thanks for the tip weiner driver. hahahahahaha

Only one shuttle launch is sufficient.

I think a successful re-entry and landing would also be necessary.

Any FedEx pilots want to be my friend?

If flying for FedEx is your goal, stick with it. You have to build at least 1000 hrs of multi engine turbine PIC time. There are many regionals out there where you can build that turbine time. Keep flying and make sure you are current when you start applying with FedEx.

As a FedEx employee, you should be automatically eligible for an interview as a pilot as long as you meet the mins and they are hiring for the position.

Make sure you do the best job you can as a handler and try not to make any ememies. Your supervisor will play a part in your recommendation to the pilot recruitment folks.

Network! Get to know as many FedEx pilots as possible. This will help in the job search.

Good luck! :D

How does FedEx treat former employees? I spent 3 years on the ramp back in 2001-2004 at OAK as a load captain, left to finish flight training.... think they'd give any preference? :confused:

Typed in the Estes Shuttle... 5 launches to date, 4 successful re-enties. Lost her in a tree my last time out. :D

The answer to your question is proabably no, but if you do get an interview they will most certainly look at your employment record from your tme at FedEx.

I think the best route to the internal interview would be to work as hard as you can to meet and exceed the min qualifications then get a job with Express that is full time and has the ability to job change or at least wait till you are close enough that you can handle two jobs easiy. While working the FedEx job you need to stay current, at least 100 hours in the last year at a mininmum. I know guys who have gone this route both successful and not. If you do try this, DO NOT call in sick for your FedEx job and have logged flight hours on the same day you called in sick. They will have you print out your entire FedEx work history and most likely will compare things like that and your supervisor will have somekind of input on your performance. As a side note you can apply for at least 3 flying jobs, Corporate Pilot, Instructor Pilot (for the line pilots) and Line Pilot. All of which supposedly go through the same interview and you are allowed to go to the line after 3 years from the other two jobs without interviewing again if you choose. This was the latest info I had. The IP and corporate jobs may have minimuns higher than the line actually ? Do not know.

Hope this helps. If you do not go internal, you need friends on the line that have flown with you and are willing to help.