I totally agree with Redeye. Before I got out of the USAF in 1996 I got a 737 type for a SWA interview. Meanwhile I got a United, FedEx (my first choice), Alaska, and NWA interview. The 737 type helped for the Alaska and FedEx sims because they were both in Boeings. It wasn't until 7 months after I was already hired at FedEx that SWA called. I turned down the interview thinking that it would be better to turn down the interview and possibly reapply if necessary rather than turn down a possible job offer later if I didn't want to leave FedEx.

I'd hold on the 737 Type
 

Personaly I'd hold off on the 737 Type if FedEx is your first choice. If you know 3 guys you have flown with at FedEx, and are a good pilot with a likable personality I think your chances with FedEx are pretty good. You have a lot of time ahead of you still since you just started at the regionals. Many guys you will fly with in the next years may likely end up at FedEx so keep track of them.

Many things can change in the next 2-4 years in this business. I think that we will start to see a lot of hiring starting at the legacy carriers in the next 2-3 years as soon as they start posting profits which I think is coming. SWA may not be a choice for you when you start to become competitive with your PIC time, and if it is the additional pressure from hiring at the other carriers may change their position on the type. I attended an SWA meeting earlier this year with some friends. I asked how many guys out of the 4000 applicants they bragged about actually had their 737 types. Before she thought about whether it was appropriate to answer that one she said 4 hundred then changed the subject. That was back in April I believe; I believe that SWA is fairly short of guys with 737 types applying, but they are pushing the Higher Power thing very aggresively right now with the gauranteed interview which is getting guys to the door of HPA. A higher % of guys don't get hired than do after the type from what I've been told from my friends that have been turned down lately. I think it would be too much of a gamble for you as a new hire regional FO who could use that money elsewhere right now. Just my $.02 of course.

The advise on this thread is good advise; you have to sift through what is right for you. Check Airman/IP, training dept, additonal duties, volunteering around the community, physical fitness goals, etc will help you very much at FedEx.

Good Luck!;)

I hear ya, and some of my other contacts have used the same "eggs/basket" phrasology.

I'm making a 20+ year decision and I think that waiting a couple of months is worth it in the long run. I'm also lucky in that I have very flexible timing and a great paying job in the meantime.

The thought of being laid off or giving back half your wages and all your retirement sometime in the future is making wary of the passenger moving world. Consequently UPS is also a strong consideration, but I only know one UPS pilot, and I know quite a few FedEx pilots very well. SWA seems like a great company with great people, but I have little faith in the passenger industry as a whole.