Hiring around 100, clearing pool first in Spring. 25- 30 in pool? The rest off the street.

Nice drive-by post...

30 From Bottom, Gunter, DLax-

Thanks for taking the time to update us in the pool.

I imagine most of us have been treading since around early '07, it's nice to see things trending in a positive direction.

I've been lucky enough to be flying somewhere I really enjoy while I wait for the call. However, my phone is on and the ringer is on the loudest setting, specially for the Memphis area code!

Thank you very much guys.

ANGFDX, check your PMs.

Any info on interviews to replenish the pool? Thanks

Poolies -

Just want to ensure you all realize none of us work in HR or any portion of management.

Our posts are somewhat educated guesses based on the data we can see as simple line pilots.

It's also been brought to my attention that FDX has gone thru many periods in their history where they chose to operate lean --- very lean. Thus, the company may accept lower manning levels for an extended period of time to protect themselves from a double-dip recession.

Additionally, hiring from within the company (i.e. corporate pilots or Pro Instructors) is far different than hiring from the "external" group of poolies.

Many of these "internal" pilots signed contracts that guarunteed them movement to the line after a specific amount of time ---- those were put on hold during 4A2B --- but, perhaps, must now be honored for legal reasons.

Bottom line --- keep your day jobs until you get the "phone call".

...and as always, with any APC post --- YMMV!!

Quote:

---

It's also been brought to my attention that FDX has gone thru many periods in their history where they chose to operate lean --- very lean. Thus, the company may accept lower manning levels for an extended period of time to protect themselves from a double-dip recession.

---

You mean like proposing that Airbus and 757 Captains be dual-qualified so that they can fly the right seat during undefined 'temporary' periods of undermanning? Isn't that like the reverse of WN's Lance captain deal?

Put on hold, thus breaking their contract. The way I understand it, there is no provision for 4A2B in their contract. They have been held from the line illegally, for some....over 2 years.

Their contract specifically states no going to the line if they furlough. Since there was no furlough...the legal reasons are probably a lawsuit on their part.

I too have been in the pool since December '06. This is good news. does everyone think that all new hires will be 727 so's? With only ~100 pilots will we be so's for a while?

Thanks,

4 year club....
 

I started floating november 2006. Maybe this is a light at the end of the tunnel. Spring 2011 has a nice sound to it. :)

Complete conjecture --- but, yes, I think if they hire in 2011 or in 2012, the odds are those new hires will initially be 727 SOs, unless they have unfilled vacancies in FDAs like Hong Kong --- then, perhaps, a A300 or MD-11 FO directly (...buyer be ware!!)

In 2013 and beyond, I think there is a chance new hires could go straight to 757 FO seat --- as the 727 continues it's slow drawdown toward retirement and the bow wave of pilot retirements, which starts in Dec 2012, begins to occur.

My guess is that in 2013 and beyond, up to 20% of pilots reaching age 65 may choose to continue their FEDEX careers as 727 SOs.

This convergence of events will determine how many "new hire" SOs they actually need.

The 727 SO seat could end up looking just like the DC-10 SO seat during it's last few years on the property.