Airline Pilot Central Forums - FDX: your first 10 yrs vs. family

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 42GO (Post 1039449)

Been here a long time......either live in domicile or you will work hard and live a lot less quality of life, except for the few years you are senior in your seat before moving along to another, redoing the same cycle.

your choice your life.

or consider what I was always told . . .
The company makes you junior once, every other time is your own fault :eek:.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlybyKnite (Post 1039701)

or consider what I was always told . . .
The company makes you junior once, every other time is your own fault :eek:.

i think that line is great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunter (Post 1039009)

Move to MEM. The most junior family friendly lines are B reserve. That's noon to midnight. B reserve covers day flying.

B reserve is used less often so you will actually be at home more. You will be on day trips when you fly, generally. You can get assigned a trip, sometimes a week long, that starts in the B reserve window that is almost all night flying. That won't happen to you every week.

My experience differs slightly ... In the last 2 years on B Reserve I've only been called for 2 trips that were almost all night flying (and 2 additional long International trips that fly basically around the clock).

So ... without much of my input (other than bidding and getting B Reserve), I would estimate that over a two year period of time that my flying is approximately 80% daytime flying (disclaimer: my definition of daytime flying is basically "normal" waking hours 6am - midnight)

And ... like I said earlier, being on Reserve means I make slightly less money and work a day or 2 extra a month.

Hope this helps ...Mark

I'd like to inquire about the LAX base....junior/senior? Types of trips?

I know there might be a hundred different answers, but what do "typical" domestic and international schedules at FedEx look like in terms of days off to days on i.e. 5 on/6 off? How about the typical reserve schedule?

This is a great thread with lots of good info for a FedEx wanna-be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlybyKnite (Post 1039701)

or consider what I was always told . . .
The company makes you junior once, every other time is your own fault :eek:.

And sometimes that "junior" can last over a decade! :eek: And not by choice I might add. :o

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Waco Kid (Post 1039802)

LAX is senior. It's one of only two FO positions the company was able to fully staff on the last system bid (along with 777). This means there are vacancies, read: new hires, going to every other right seat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatupsuitcase (Post 1038484)

thanks for the last few comments guys. now i'm getting the picture, and i didn't have that before from anyone. but if anyone else has more to add feel free. the more to draw from the better.

Can you give us an idea of where you might jumpseat from? That can make a huge difference as well. Some places have lots of seats and lots of flights, others have lots of seats, but they are always full. We can give you some intel on the seat load.

Others have said it, but if you want to spend time at home, move to your domicile and bid reserve. Anything else is sheer luck. You can be the most senior dude in your seat and fly to your hometown every night or day and then the company changes the gage and your plane no longer flies there.

Memphis is a challenging place to live, but like others have said, bid reserve or certain lines and you can be home every day for months at a time.

We have a huge variety of flying. You make your choices and take your chances, but if you and your family can be a little flexible, you can find a happy place.

Best of luck.