The recent regional hiring has presented me with an important decision. I will explain my aspirations and current situation. Any advice from you who are familiar with FedEx's hiring procedures/tendencies is greatly appreciated.

My Goal:
-Attain position as Pilot with FedEx Express ASAP

My Current Situation:
- I'm 28 years old, married, 2 munchkins (4 yrs and 2 yrs).
-I Fly King Air part 91 (single-pilot).
-I flew 250 hours this past year.
-I have reason to believe flying will increase to around 500 hours/year.
-I have no 121 or crew experience.
-My schedule is somewhat flexible--such that it would allow me to work part-time at a more traditional type job (hint hint) while still flying.

My Current Plan:
-Continue with my current job doing anything and everything in my power to generate as much flying as possible (A realistic yet optimistic projection puts me meeting FedEx's minimums in about 18 months).
-Get hired as a FedEx Express Handler when I feel that I am about 12 months away from meeting minimums.
-Start networking and attempting to warm up some potential contacts that I have already made third party contact with.
-Hopefully this will result in an interview offer as an internal when I am qualified.

Questions:
-Can those of you who are equipped with such information speak to the viability of my plan?
-Will my lack of 121 experience be likely to prevent me from reaching my goal?
-How common is it for FedEx to hire Pilots with nothing but Part 91 experience?
-Would I be better off to jump ship, take a huge pay cut and decrease in QOL, and go to a regional to get some 121 experience?

Summary:
Thanks in advance for the help. I understand the intricacies and contingencies associated with my plan. I'm just trying to gather as much info as possible so I can make an educated decision. I know FedEx is one of the best jobs out there, and I will be competing with applicants much more qualified than I; I like this challenge. My thinking is that as long as I meet the minimums I will be offered an interview as an internal--given that I have a good recommendation from my supervisor.

I could keep rambling but I'm hungry and breakfast is ready =)

 

I have flown with MANY crewmembers (with all types of aviation backgrounds) who took handler jobs in order to get an internal interview. Obviously, that is a viable alternative. I have also flown with many former corporate jet background folks (Multi-pilot I assume? I'll let people with that background speak to that issue).

I have also flown with many with RJ backgrounds, making your decision to jump to a Regional Airline a difficult decision?

Good luck with your pursuit getting hired here at FedEx. Despite all the b*tching here at APC, those of us that have worked at other places realize it's a pretty good place to work.

 

Considering the alternatives, it is a great place to work. Now, back to the *****ing....!

 

If you get a job as a handler and you meet our minimum requirements, you will not need to bother networking or getting to know any FedEx pilots. The only person you need to be connected to is your manager. Make sure he likes you and will be sad to see you make the move to pilot.
As in internal, you are pretty much guaranteed a pilot interview if we are hiring.
Good luck.

 

If you know somebody at Fedex...I would have them ask around. I worked for Fedex throwing boxes and driving as a casual status employee back in 96. Back then, if you met the pilot quals, I think you could get an interview as an internal employee. Now I think it is much more restrictive. I believe you have to be a full-time employee for at least a year before you can get an interview. Casual status or part-time doesn't count anymore.

You may want to find out the answer before you make any employment decisions.

 

Send me a pm, and I will give you some really good advice on this ........... be sure to give me a contact phone number, I will not answer on this forum on this matter.

 

Check your PMs.
Cheers,
fbh

 

I personally know one pilot hired at FDX back in the late 05/early 06 time frame that had a pure 91 background...

 

It used to be "casual" time didn't count, not sure what counts now. I was hired as a casual part timer, Aug '94. I was granted permanent part time status in Nov '94 and I was eligible for interview 1 yr from that date. The first posting after my 1 yr as permanent part time was up, was the first week of Dec '95. I interviewed the third week of Jan '96 (there were no interviews from Thanksgiving thru Peak until mid Jan), hired to the late Feb '96 class (along with about 5-7 other internal hires). Total time = 18.5 month - Aug 7, '94 to Feb 21, 96

 

I'm very interested in this info as well, but don't have the free time to seek other employment at FedEx. I come from a 135/91 background with about 1100 true PIC turbojet/EFIS. My 'problem' is I'm flying 300 hrs a year and my total time is low compared to the 121 guys.

Should I get the flight engineer written done before applying? (whenever they start accepting applications) Any other advice?