aggieAFpilot03

I've been reading the interesting thread debating the pros and cons of working for FedEx vs SWA. When I was in UPT at Laughlin, I actually flew with a few FedEx reservists and they had nothing but good things to say about their job. I have a few questions about how the job works at FedEx. I'm only a few years into my AF pilot commitment, but I've got decisions to make now which may affect what type of flying time I get in the next few years (C-17 heavy multi vs SE trainer IP time). So I'd like some more information about FedEx in general.

Does everyone start off at FedEx as a flight engineer on the 727? I see on their profile page that the written is a requirement for hiring. If so, how long does this last?

Once you are flying the line as FO, how likely is it that you will be based somewhere like China? If you are based here, can you commute? I don't think the wife would be too keen on moving overseas (at least to Asia).

I've read comments about people flying 350 hours but being paid for almost 1000 in a year. Is this because of deadheading? How do you receive pay for hours that aren't actual flight hours?

The frequent flyer miles you accumulate - are they usable on any airline? I think that benefit is excellent when compared to flying standby on the PAX airline you might work for.

How difficult is commuting? I would live near IAH, or HOU since that's where I'm from and may try to get in the guard unit there to keep my military retirement if I punch out after my pilot commitment.

Thanks for any and all information. Flying at FedEx seems to be very similar to the type of flying I do now in the C-17. We're pretty used to overnight flying, changing schedules, crappy 24 hour crew rest turns, so I'm sure enjoying catered food and nice rest areas would be a nice change even if the flying is similar.

ExAF

You might get a bigger response if you have the mods move this to the Cargo Forum where most of the FedEx threads are.

scambo1

Your questions apply pretty well to any airline. I had all those same questions while I was still on AD. Good luck with your decisions, but I agree with exaf, better in the cargo thread. FedEx is a fantastic career choice I hope you get to make.

aggieAFpilot03

whoops, as you can see it's one of my first posts, thanks for moving it to the right place.

seefive

Don't bother applying......we don't hire Aggies.

Hook 'Em

FDXLAG

Most everybody so far has started in the 727 backseat. Not 100% though and by the time you are hired it wont be an option.

The 350 hours vs 1000 hours pay is due to we basically have a min pay of 3 hours a trip into a hubturn. Fly 45 minutes SHV to MEM get paid 3 hours. Fly 4 hours Ont to MEM and get paid 4 hours. Pay for DH also helps.

You wont have to go to china unless you want to. It could slow down how soon you get hired, who knows 5 years from now.

Very easy to commute from IAH.

KnightFlyer

We're thinking about hiring Aggies?!

FreeCoffee

FedEx is a great job. My buds at SWA tell me that's a great job too. When I was only a few years out of SUPT United was the great job...times change... See where your timing puts you!

C-17 vs T-6: I would follow the USAF path that works for you. Either should be fine for future job interviews. USAF pilots are a pretty well known quantity and neither airframe should put you at a disadvantage in the civilian market. Maybe the C-17 time would be a bit "better", but don't ruin a marriage or anything over it.

Right now new guys are S/O's on the 727. We're supposedly retiring the 727, so that may change. Whatever, it's a job. S/O isn't a bad place to start. I've been doing it 4+ years, some guys will probably only do it for 8 months. Again, whatever...

Frequent flyer miles are yours to keep. We generally fly Delta, but I'm not an international guy so they could tell you more (since they earn a lot more miles). You can use them for whatever Delta miles are good for.

A majority of FedEx guys commute. Any major city is doable. If you join the Guard or Reserve, either live near your Guard base or at your airline domicile. Don't live in a third place and "double commute".

FedEx can't force anyone to live in China / Hong Kong. Our foreign domiciles are volunteer only.

As for the "I've read comments about people flying 350 hours but being paid for almost 1000 in a year." question:

It's complicated. In a nutshell, we at FedEx don't really get paid per flight hour. There is a hugely complicated matrix that determines what a trip is "worth". A one day trip will always pay at least 6 hours, even if it involves a 45 minute flight to Nashville and back. A two day trip won't necessarily pay 12 hours. Whatever. It's a job. You'll learn more when it matters. It's a good job, so don't stress too much about the details.

You'll learn a ton on this forum. Soak it all in and don't get discouraged. Keep asking questions and keep a thick skin.

FedEx is a great place to work. Just remember: It's a job.

(All of this is one new guy's opinion. It's also oversimplified. It might not even make sense. I might not even be a pilot. Happy Internet.)

aggieAFpilot03

Awesome, thanks for all the insight guys. I'm having to decide whether I want to go to co-pilot airdrop school, and I really want to, but it involves deciding whether I stay C-17s for 2 assignments. I'd definitely like to do that, but the ops tempo at Charleston is killer. I'm hoping to maybe go to Hickam for my next assignment, which is a little more laid back.

I know it will be quite a few years before I look into the airline jobs, but I just wondered the answers to those questions since I've been reading this forum. I appreciate the information - Hopefully in 8 years they'll definitely be hiring Aggies.

Cujo

There are several FDX guys there in Charleston doing both, some on Mil leave from FDX due to the tempo... but some took the Mil leave after the excess bids to ensure some income during the downturn... ask around, they will give you the skinny.

Old Army says Keep the Faith ...Gig'm !! Of course we will be hiring Aggies in 8 years, that's how we get the "Leaders"!