FDX- Recommendation vs. Sponsor
 

What is the practical difference between them? Can you get interviewed with one v. the other, all things being equal? Wondering if anyone can add to the mystery. How is one weighed against the other? Thanks....:confused:

A recommendation is purely that....." I recommend that this guy is a good sh*t based my experience flying with him". A sponsor is someone that is willing to be "responsible" for you during your first year with the company. In other words, I can recommend a guy because I think he might be a good fit, based on what I've experienced with him in the cockpit/on my wing. I may have never had any beers with you, but based on what I know, you're a good stick. A sponsor is someone that knows you a bit more personally, and is willing to go to bat for you, and show you the ropes on how to operate/perform during your probationary period. If you step on your wiener during your first year, you AND your sponsor will be standing tall in front of your chief pilot explaining your "deficiencies.

almost forgot.......either can get you in the door based on your sponsor/recommendation...but the sponsor will be more.....responsible for your actions. choose wisely Grasshopper......

flextodaline,

You must type faster than I, but you said it exactly as I see it. Good job.

It's 4 am, you're in the local jail and a friend is with you. You get one phone call. You call a friend. So the answer to your question is the recommendation is the dude you call and wake from a sound sleep. The guy sitting next to you yelling, "dude, that was awesome!!!" - that's your sponsor!
PC

Can a newhire sponsor someone? Is there any risk in sponsoring someone while on probation?

I would think that both answers to your question are: yes. Think of it as like co-signing for a loan. I do.
Cheers,
fbh

Good stuff!

Thanks...
 

I have one, and possibly two Rec's, unfortunately, they are Sponsoring other folks. Thanks for taking the time to post! I am sure everyone who reads it are as well!

According to Capt O at the hiring process meeting on Tuesday - neither a sponsor nor recommendations are required to get an interview, but they certainly help. He said he reviews all of them. He also said that more than five recommendations start to lessen the value of the submitted ones. Sounds like five is the magic number - if you can get five.
Enjoy!