Airline Pilot Central Forums - Fed Ex Prospects in a Couple of Years

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I see, nothing but roses over there at Fred. What about airplane retirements too, you didn't mention that. Is there a net gain of pilot seats? Yes at least you have steady retirements which helps but I'm trying to ask some questions worthy of discussion. What about the postal contract? They want concesions. It's fun to pick on UPS because they do some things we don't like but they are innovative and their profit margins dwarf FedEx. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by Precontact (Post 1058797)

It's fun to pick on UPS because they do some things we don't like but they are innovative and their profit margins dwarf FedEx. Good luck.

Thats the understatement of the year. Does that include furloughing 125 while making your record profit margins. Good luck yourself!:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Precontact (Post 1058734)

What happens when Fred starts using more trucks/trains/ships like UPS does?

Their profit margins would increase of course....but who cares about things like that? :rolleyes:

Fred's only purpose in life is to make his pilot group happy and feel secure, and of course his replacement will be even more concerned with such things. Or, he'll be a corporate raider like Scott Davis and ALPA will rise to the occasion.

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Originally Posted by Sideshow Bob (Post 1058828)

Fred's only purpose in life is to make his pilot group happy and feel secure, and of course his replacement will be even more concerned with such things. Or, he'll be a corporate raider like Scott Davis and ALPA will rise to the occasion.

I don't think this is true. Who told you such things?

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they are innovative

That one made me chuckle. Mirroring your competitor isn't innovation. Kind of like the "new" service being offered. Fred has been doing it for years calling it Fedex Home Delivery. The Postal Contract is a concern of mine. The government always makes uninformed decisions. It doesn't matter that we can do it far cheaper then they could but it would be an immediate savings to them until they actually had to find another way of delivering their priority mail. It would certainly require fewer pilots.

As for the original question. The future looks good right now. Retirements are going to be wide open for a long time. This could be the front end of a hiring wave unless the economy tubes and then it will be 4a2b again and displacements. Go ahead and put in the app and keep updating regularly it shows commitment and that can't be bad. Just don't expect a call until shortly before your availability. As soon as you are eligible to retire or separate change it to available.

Evil,

You should heed these warnings from the UPS guys. The pilot career outlook at FDX is a real crapshoot. If I were you, I would be looking for a job at a carrier with the worst present working conditions. It can only get better, there. Maybe, take a look at Mesa?

Don't look at a place, like FDX, that has the best conditions. It might only get worse, here.:eek:

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Originally Posted by Sideshow Bob (Post 1058828)

Bob, when you enlightened us with your vigilant wisdom 4 years ago...I sent out applications everywhere. Should I be updating them, now?:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Sideshow Bob (Post 289098)

Jeeeze you guys are dense...

But he WILL learn to drive trucks on two day products that NOW fly on airframes DOMESTICALLY. UPS didn't used to either, but optimized their trucking network which dwarfs and outperforms yours...for now. The cost to move by truck and rail is a fraction of air, but you already knew that. And Fred has to make up his IRS losses somehow. Wakeup call sport, Fred is more interested in making money than keeping you airborne. As for China, have a look at your "scope" clause...

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Originally Posted by Sideshow Bob (Post 289648)

That time of the month? Try Midol...

Not that ALPA at Fed Ex would ever get blindsided, but we sure did by a provision in the '97 Teamsters contract allowing "heavy crewing" by the long haul drivers, which took away a LOT of daytime flying. Not that genius' like you would ever need to learn from the experiences of others, but perhaps somebody might be able to at least consider steps to protect flying as much as possible, especially considering it appears you might be "talking" with the company soon regarding give and take...unless you just want to give that is.

Or not...

Now back to your regularly scheduled denial-fest.

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Originally Posted by Sideshow Bob (Post 289652)

Does your CBA guarantee that all new international flying (ie: intra-China) will be done by those on your list, and if so, how will you enforce it? Since you're banking on China so much it might be of concern.

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Originally Posted by MeXC (Post 1058485)

Mr. Evil, outlook is mixed (kinda sounds like a Magic 8-Ball response). Plenty of retirements coming up. Aircraft additions are planned.
On the other hand, economic outlook isn't so hot. FedEx is a pretty savvy company when it comes to taking advantage of market conditions. Just don't know what those conditions will be in two months much less two years.
Apply when you have the requirements met. The worst that can happen in that case is that you're offered a position but can't accept until you're off active duty.
Good luck.

A couple things to consider.

Evil, apply when the window is open. I applied before 9/11 with plans to go as quickly as i could. Things changed. But i kept my profile up to date and i stayed current over the years and when last January rolled around my profile was there. The worst that can happen is you never hear from them because who gets interviewed is an issue about more than what you put on the website, at least so far. In general, things look bright for Fedex. But for right now being out in 2012 may be just right.

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Originally Posted by Precontact (Post 1058797)

I see, nothing but roses over there at Fred.

I see nothing but slow, yet consistent growth.The only thing that could really screw things up is if they decide to acquire another airline.

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What about airplane retirements too, you didn't mention that.

727s are being replaced with 757s. Not a 1 to 1 ratio, and obviously losing the PFE job, but many of the 727s in service are just parked here and there. There is/was one on the FedEx ramp in Denver that didn't move for MONTHs.

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Is there a net gain of pilot seats? Yes at least you have steady retirements which helps but I'm trying to ask some questions worthy of discussion.

There is a slight net gain in seats due to new aircraft, and then retirements are only helping.

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What about the postal contract? They want concesions.

Always something to be concerned about... but didn't you hear? Fred is buying out the USPS!

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It's fun to pick on UPS because they do some things we don't like but they are innovative and their profit margins dwarf FedEx. Good luck.

UPS is a dividend machine that dreads expansion and has almost no innovation. FedEx is primarily focused on organic growth, and they're doing it quite well.

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Originally Posted by Busboy (Post 1058961)

Evil,
You should heed these warnings from the UPS guys. The pilot career outlook at FDX is a real crapshoot. If I were you, I would be looking for a job at a carrier with the worst present working conditions. It can only get better, there. Maybe, take a look at Mesa?

Don't look at a place, like FDX, that has the best conditions. It might only get worse, here.:eek:

This too. FedEx and WN won't stay at the top for much longer. Doesn't mean they're going to the bottom either though.

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Originally Posted by Busboy (Post 1058961)

Remind me of all this when times really do get tough, Fred or his replacement starts thinking like an accountant and Fed Ex ALPA folds like a house of cards when he (or his accountant replacement) write the next "with or without you" letter.

Oh I forgot...he started this business for YOU. Pffft.

There'll be no need to remind you. You'll be waiting for the news like a ravenous hog.
I'm sorry you're so miserable.
Perhaps when we get 4A2B dropped on us again your spirit may be lifted a bit...