Any hope for an interview?
 

Just wondering if anyone has any good advice for a corporate charter pilot eager to get an interview. My application has been online for about 8 months or so. I've been told by some that the only way to the interview is to be ex-military and through a "sponsor" that can basically vouch for your entire flying career. I have a couple of mutual acquaintances currently flying for FedEx, but no one that has spent any time in the cockpit with me.

I am 35 years old with about 4500 hours (over 3000 turbojet) and am currently a Captain flying Part 135 Ops in a Gulfstream III for a great company. But FedEx is truly where I would like to go and fly for the remainder of my career. Is there any hope?

Summer of '94 at age 33, I was in a similar situation. I took a job throwing boxes for FedEx. A little over a yr later I interviewed and got hired - no sponsor, no pilot references from FedEx pilots. It can be done, just depends on what you're willing to do.

Re:
 

Thanks for the input FR8Dog. But I don't think that would be a smart move right now with a wife and a 13-month old son. If I was single, I would certainly evaluate that option if I knew it would go somewhere. But to do something like that with a chance of no interview and losing my currency would not be too wise.

Here it is the fall of '06 and you still don't have any friends at Fedex.:p

You're obviously qualified except for the lack of knowing people. My suggestion, other than throwing boxes which I completely understand isn't feasible, get in touch with thoes acquaintances and see if they'll walk you through the AOC (not a real meet and greet but it's the next best thing) possibly bump into a couple of their buddies who might put a rec in for you as well or even their ACP. Have a couple resumes ready just in case you can drop one in somebody's hand. Rent a 182 and fly with whomever is going to sponsor you. They don't have to vouch for your entire career but your sponsor needs to have flown with you. Be straight forward and tell them you would like any help they can give. Make sure if you have a person listed on your application, that he/she has written a rec for you.
It helps to have a Capt be a sponsor compared to a F/O or S/O, and the more senior the better. Also don't think just because you asked your friend once to help, that it is enough. Don't pester the #@$% out of him, but a call every few weeks doesn't hurt.

Second interview
 

From my personal experience and from my experience trying to get a guy hired, the wait for a second interview is one year. With respect to the guy I tried to get hired, I was told that they wanted to offer interviews to others who had not interviewed before. My interview was 17 years ago. Good luck to you all.

Well, its pretty much a guaranteed interview for the job, if they are hiring once your required year is up! In my case, I threw boxes part time and I flew wtih my reserve unit as much as I could.

There was a another guy on my ramp that flew the FedEx feeder F-27 in/out of our ramp to EWR. He would park his plane at about 515a, run inside, punch his time card and work the ramp until about 830a each morning. He did that 5 nights/week, 3 weeks/month. On his off week from flying he worked full shifts, plus he worked weekends. Funny thing is, he eventually went to UPS! ;)

My point is, it can be done if you're willing and able to sacrifice! To be honest, my sked during my 15-18 months throwing boxes killed my first marriage, but that's okay, I did WAY better the second time! ;)

Good luck!

Yea, but I finally get to fly with my favorite Captain every trip now, so it doesn't matter anymore! ;)

So any guestimate on how many are left swimming???:confused:

Everyone who interviewed after mid-March and did not get into the MD. There are also a few guys who have deferred class dates based on what I have read here. Based on what Albie is saying, it looks like they are adding to the pool as they drain it. When I interviewed, there were twelve per interview class, so if the 25 per training class holds, the pool is draining twice as fast as it is filling. I think the guys who were in the pool prior to Aug interviews should be in class by the end of the Dec or early Jan. From there it is dependent on how many guys get hired in the next three months. If I had to guess, I would say one hundredish.

Cheers