FDX- Next App Window
 

Can anyone help a guy out? I'm military with a few years left before retirement. Don't have the ATP and other prereqs...yet.

Now that FedEx is in the hiring mode again, how often do they typically open the application window? I'll miss this window...when can I expect the next app window to open?

Your guess is as good as ours. My guess we will probably hire 100 a year as long as the economy doesnt tank.

There's no set pattern that I've seen over the past 16 years. Just keep in touch with your FedEx buddies and plan ahead. Good luck and I hope we get a chance to hire you.

Thanks...Sounds like I should just go get them done...then wait. Think there's a good chance of the app window opening again before say Spring 2013?

FWIW, once I got my letter in to resign in a year, I got EVERYTHING done about 6-8 months prior to getting out...FE(w), First Class Medical, Restricted Radio Ticket, 737 type rating with ATP (VA paid for 70%) .

I do recommend that you get your application online, soon, I think they track how long you've been interested in working here or there.

Also, I don't know what you fly but, I got a type rating in the civilian equivalent of what I flew in the military.

Then just start logging time and get in line. I had speadsheets for each airline I applied to because each had different minimums and conversion factors.

Thanks for the words. I figured I'd start planning my post-USAF job early. I guess I'm just a little worried that if a whole ton of qualified guys apply in this window (what are the odds in this market?) that recruiting won't open an app window for a long time (too long). Is this fear justified?

No supersonic bombers in the civilian world!!

Why not apply anyway and update the application as time goes on? What do you have to lose? $75?? Does the application state one has to have these minimums to apply, or to receive an interview? 2 different things, so apply and update if they let you. If you have a buddy at FedEx have him or her put the recommendation in after you meet the reqs and retire from the USAF... Just a thought!

Most folks go to the ATP weekend wonder program.... so that's a no brainer! Buy your ATP and Flight engineer study books from Gliem or another reputable source.

Gleim Aviation

ATP Flight School: Airline Pilot Training & Pilot Career Development

Not many space shuttles either, but it's on the application. My guess is your bomber time is way more valuable than you think. . . .

I separated from the Air Force in 2002 and transitioned to the ANG. I got my ATP in 1994.
I took the FE written 4 times...1992, 1994, 1996, and 2000....

My advice to all military bros lurking the site is simple. You can always update your profile once you are in, but you need to get it when the window is open. So, do a search for an old post called "timing your exit" for some general ideas. For specifics, here is what I would do...

1. Invest the $2000 or so and get an ATP on a long weekend somewhere. Plan it as part of a vacation for family if you like, but deciding to wait until you are either getting out or the airlines are hiring can put you in a rush. Additionally, how CHEAP do you think you could have done the course during the recessions? If you see a lull in your calendar go ahead and knock it out--they won't get any cheaper. Additionally, they don't expire, so there is no penalty for applying now.

2. FE written tests can be updated. Do the gleim book or Sheppard Air course, and even if you get a 72 get in the system. You can always retake the test and update it with your 98 or 100 you nail it on later. If you aren't leaving the military for a year or two who cares if it sits at 72 as long as you updated it during the year or so before you get out?

Having been in operational fighter squadrons for the first 10 years of my AF career, I know how busy things can get. At the same time, you have to invest in your future. Why not do it now? Get it done, and then you are that much closer when the big day finally does come and you start your transition to this great career...

Indy,
My humble advice is drop the $75 now and get in the system. That's one good round at the bar on a Friday. You can continue to update as you get your reqs done. Once the window closes...no soup for you until it opens again. However, you can still update your junk. We have had hiring without reopening the window. Not sure if you are talking 2, 4 or 6 years out but it isn't gonna hurt. If the airlines is what you want, take a long weekend and get the ATP done ASAP. No excuses to not have it. As far as the FE written, well it only makes sense to wait a bit on it. Your bone(so to speak) might not have a type associated with it but it will still be pic jet time. Good luck and pitch into the fight.

...get in the system...continue to update as you get your reqs done.

That's what I intended to do...right until last night when I hit the submit button on the first page after answering "No" to "Do you have a current ATP Certificate?" and "No" to "Do you have a current FE Written Exam"?

Instant rejection- took me to a page stating I was not qualified to continue to the pilot profile!

If I want to hit this TOT, I'll need to scramble to take leave from my 14hr-a-day job to get the ATP, written and 1st Class Medical in the next 50 days. Probably worth it...unless another window will reopen NLT summer 2013.

You can do it. The physical takes 30 minutes. Make sure you find out where the airline guys get theirs done at. Ask around to your reserve bubbas. Buy the Sheppard Air software for ATP and FEX.

The ATP written can be done in a weekend of studying. The ED center on base may even be able to administer for free, saving you $150. At KTCM they do it, not sure at base X.

The FEX is 3 nights after work studying and 3 days studying the memory sheet while you're riding the elliptical trainer during your 14 hours at the office. High 90's fo sho!

You're now at 2 February if you start today. There's mil friendly places to get your ATP done in 3 days. Look on these forums. Give yourself a week to study the gouge they give you on an old rickety PA-34-200. Take Thursday-Sunday of the next week to get the ATP and you're back in time for Valentines day!

Easier said than done, but possible.

Good luck!

There was a piece of advise given to me when I was getting out. We all have that "get the mission done" attitude otherwise we wouldn't be in the military. Too often we find ourselves not wanting to let our fellow aviators down and keep accepting more and more duties/taskings. If you are one of the guys the commanders always turn to, because of a track record of accomplishment, these taskings can rapidly turn your day into 14 hours at the SQ.

What you need to know is, when you've been gone for 3 days, no one will even remember you were there. The SQ will move on as if nothing has changed. When you make the decision to get out, it's time to start saying no (if you can). Making the boss happy by taking on that extra tasking will not mean a thing 3 days after you leave, and if you've done your job correctly as a seasoned officer (training your replacement), there are lots of younger officers fully capable of accomplishing the taskings.

I'm trying to make this window as well, but I'm short the Turbine PIC requirement and probably won't make it by March as pointy nose hours are not real easy to come by right now unless you're OCONUS. I have all the other requirements, just short that one. That being said, the application site will not let me submit my application for future updates. Anybody have any ideas for me to get one in before the window closes and I miss out, or I am out of luck?

Thanks in advance.

Sledy

[/QUOTE]
We all have that "get the mission done" attitude otherwise we wouldn't be in the military. Too often we find ourselves not wanting to let our fellow aviators down and keep accepting more and more duties/taskings. If you are one of the guys the commanders always turn to, because of a track record of accomplishment, these taskings can rapidly turn your day into 14 hours at the SQ.

[/QUOTE]


Good words. Just git 'er done!!

Great advice Albief15. I have been sitting back reading posts on here for a long time, but I think it's time to start working toward an ATP and making plans for the future. Got about 1.5 years left on active duty, then it's decision time. This is my first post...just signed up for an account! Can I get your contact info to ask you some questions offline?

I think he's at:

Emerald Coast Interview Consulting

or

[email protected]

Indy,

I agree with the other guys. I'd get a class 1 physical, than go to an ATP school (I used all ATPS) and get your ticket. While you are there, take your FE test.

All you are really out (if you still want to fly an airline when you get out) is your Class 1 and FE written. I'd say you can get those done for around 300 total.

You'll eventually need an ATP, and once you get the ticket, it is good for life. No more ATP tests if you have the certificate. This is money you have to spend, now or when you are closer to getting out.

I'd then complete the Fedex profile. After that, I'd just wait it out for awhile.

Any thoughts on getting an ATP/Type Rating at the same time, rather than just getting the ATP? It would be a few thousand $ more, but I think flying the sim would be great prep for future interviews. I have been flying fighters in the AF for the past 8 years, so I could use the sim time. Would a 737 type make it look like I was targeting SWA, even though that might not be the case?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Honestly, I was never a big fan of the type rating, mainly due to the extra cost. If SWA was a top choice for you, I guess it would make sense. If the GI bill pays for most of it (not sure if it does anymore), it might make more sense.

I'd definitely say get the ATP. Even if you decide to stay in the military longer, it has no expiration date. Every airline job worth having requires you to have an ATP, so it won't be wasted money.

While it may show other potential employers that you may have an interest in SWA, I wouldn't worry about that part. Jobs are hard to find and most employers know that it is difficult to pick out one job and discard any chances of getting hired elsewhere. Much like the FE written exam, it probably shows you have an interest getting hired with Fedex. I don't think SWA would hold it against you, it may be a topic of conversation in an interview but I wouldn't expect it to go any farther than that.

I wouldn't pay for the type rating for interview experience. I'd do it if I had a strong desire to work for SWA. I'd see someone like Emerald Coast or someone else for interviewing help. They also can give simulator experience that could help with an upcoming interview. Your money will go a lot farther that way.

But if money is not really an issue (when is it not), then go ahead and get an ATP/type in the 737. It isn't a bad idea at all, it is just more expensive than the standard route that most of us used.

I did the 737 type and ATP at the same time. Hard to say if I would recommend this path. For starters it had no impact on my interviewing and hiring at FedEx. Occasionally it comes up during a license check at annual training. Here was my logic, since I had not flown any transport category aircraft, the sim time would be good practice for the future. At the time the VA would pay for a large portion; for me getting the ATP in a 737 sim was only about $1,500 more than All ATPs.

However now that I have been in the airline industry for a while I have pretty much determined the sim time I got in the 737 was worthless. Here's the basic deal, cargo aircraft fly a lot different than fighters and the airlines procedures are a lot different than Air Force procedures. I thought I would get some of this in the 737 sim, but the companies which churn out the 737 type are designed for people who already know all the airline stuff. For those who don't, they basically just teach you to do the required take-offs and landings to get you through the type ride.

Once in the airlines you just kind of figure out all the airline stuff on your own and during training the company will help you out with learning their procedures.

If you're considering SWA, it would be worth the extra $1,500 for a backup plan. But if you want cargo, I wouldn't bother. Of course this is all based on the VA paying. If they don't, no way is it worth it, until you have to.

As others have pointed out, all you really need at the FedEx interview, is the ability to hand fly basic instrument maneuvers in a cargo category aircraft. There are lots of ways to practice this skill, but the 737 type ride did none of this for me.

My 737 type rating didn't come up in my interview. I did my ATP with the 737 type rating. The Reserve GI Bill paid a bit more than half at the time. I figured that I'd learn more in the 737 for just a bit more than I'd pay All ATPs. I wasn't too fired up about going to fly a Seminole either after flying
a heavy transport. My rationale was that it would put me in the running for SWA even though they weren't my first choice. I figured that it was worth the extra time and cost. I would say that the profiles were totally canned and you just needed to be a robot for the most part.

I also doubt you'd encounter an interviewer who would look down on you for getting the 737 rating. I'd imagine most guys would remember being in your shoes.

FWIW, I'm at FedEx. I was in your shoes a few years ago. In fact, I took a long weekend to get my ATP (in a 737 sim BTW, paid for in large part by the GI Bill), and while I was just stepping in for the "type ride", I got a call from the Wing CC saying congrats, I was going to be the new flying Squadron CC.... I said thanks and became the CC in a couple of months. I got my ATP and FEw done, and put my App in with FedEx, and updated it for 2 years before I said I was eligible to get out of USAF --- I just kept updating my FEw. I was called for an interview about the time they reopened the apps after being closed for a long time. And nobody asked me about the 737 type rating. And some AF Flight docs are eligible to give a Class 1---but I'd not do it with them---go find out where most airline guys go and go with that doc downtown.

Bottom Line--take a weekend or 2 and "git 'er done"

+1

Indy, I was was able to get in a type class at Higher Power in December on a couple weeks notice. The course itself is 2 weeks, not sure if the leave would be doable for you on such short notice. My class was almost all military and most were getting their ATP as well. I paid for mine out of pocket but will deduct it on my taxes. I had already transferred all my VA benefits to the kiddos.

PM sent.

FWIW Indy, I got my type at Higher Power 2 years ago in January and used my GI Bill, which paid 60%.

If you use the VA bennies, does that close the door on txfr to the kids? I'm still on the MGIB, but haven't cashed anything in and haven't looked at opting over to the Post 9/11 bill.

Aren't the Reserve GI Bill and the Post 9/11 GI bill separate entities?

No, it does not preclude you from transferring to the kiddos. They will just deduct a certain number of months from your benefits when you transfer over to the post 9/11 (at which point you can transfer to your kids). So, your kids might only get 30 months of bennies instead of 36.

For me, I determined it was better to just pay for the type out of pocket and deduct it from my taxes and keep full bennies for my kids. I recommend calling the VA direct prior to making any decisions. 1-888-GI-BILL1

Question for ya'll:

If you flew the C-12J (Beech 1900) for the USAF. Would you list the flying time under the Civilian 12,500-40K column or the Military Heavy column?

Thanks.

Fatty, haven't heard from you in a long time. IIRC, the last time we heard from you, you were giving us flying lessons (even though you've never flown an MD-11?).

I'll admit I haven't looked at the new hire application form ... but does anybody really consider a Beech 1900 a "heavy"? I'm guessing not? :confused::eek: