FedEx Interview/New Hire Class
07-07-2013, 12:06 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Posts: 164
Originally Posted by Huck
We've got some changes on the table in our contract talks.
If they go through we'll probably be looking at layoffs. Or at least some lean years.
Put your stuff in but don't expect a real quick call.
If they go through we'll probably be looking at layoffs. Or at least some lean years.
Put your stuff in but don't expect a real quick call.
I am an outsider but it blows my mind how many airframes FDX has, how many routes they fly (basically everywhere in the world), all with only 4500 pilots (are they all even active?). Hardly seems like that many.
07-07-2013, 12:20 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,090
Originally Posted by erjpilot
I am an outsider but it blows my mind how many airframes FDX has, how many routes they fly (basically everywhere in the world), all with only 4500 pilots (are they all even active?). Hardly seems like that many.
For a while, they always had a "hot spare" (often 727) sitting at many airports, now it's often a 757 hot spare at those same airports.
Domestically, there is very little flying on the "weekend" compared to the rest of the week as well.
07-07-2013, 01:02 PM
#17
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2012
Position: Two Wheeler FrontSeat
Posts: 1,162
With so many of the junior guys base overseas, wouldnt it be way to expensive to furlough. What if the more senior guys dont want to go oversea, can they be force/displace there? I'm thinking it would be a huge crew shuffle and an expensive one at that.
07-07-2013, 01:27 PM
#18
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Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 2,889
It won't ratify. I wouldn't lose sleep over it. I trust our union leadership and they have been firm and clear on the issue.
On the other hand, I did see a 747 operated by Atlas in Ethidad colors on my last trip to Campinas. The mideast carriers are about to start trying to dump capacity anywhere they can. That is one threat... Read any ALPA publication for the last 12 months for more details. FYI tomorrow there is a supposed to be an inquiry in the House on who and why the CBP proposed a customers facility in Abu Dhabi. Should be interesting to watch when we see the light hit some of the roaches who thought this was a good idea....
Second threat is just a stagnant business market world-wide. Asia is slumping, Europe is in funk. I don't think its Armageddon, but it will take a while for economies to bounce back. The goal now is to increase yields with the current business, hence the accelerated replacement of 3 engine AC with newer more efficient ones.
Final threat is long term mode shift. Those shippers and train guys haven't been sitting on their hands the last 20 years, and they want some of this business. Their products have improved, they are cheaper, and they they are good businessmen. We aren't going away, but we aren't the only way to move goods from Asia to the US anymore reliably.
Last missive from company implied more cuts coming on Asia routes. Those are our most body-using routes, as long haul international takes more pilots per plane/flight than domestic. Cuts there hurt hiring more than domestic cuts.
As for hiring, our average BLG is close to or below our guarantee at the moment. I'm not a manning wonk, but it seems to me you could add a trip or two to each line without too much issue right now, or add a day to some of the international lines and still provide contractually required days off. That means they can turn the throttle up a bit with the bodies we currently have...
We seem to be retiring about 150 year. The "rush for the exits at 62" does not seem to be happening, although a handful of pilots are leaving early. Some are hanging on until 65. The net result is a lot of uncertainty for the company, but for someone on the sidelines waiting for a call losing 100 captains a year across five plane types isn't a huge deal, and doesn't appear to create a gaping void in manning. With vacation buybacks, volunteer, etc the company can move the freight with what we have.
Is this all gloom and doom? No. Our company for years has used downturns to cut and streamline. We are highly profitable. But we are also sitting on about 4400 pilots now, down about 300 from the high water mark I remember (I may be off here...) We may be able to shrink some more. The pilots here should have secure jobs, but those outside waiting need to understand the next 10 years do not always look like the last 10 years at any company in the business, and FedEx is no exception.
I ran my own projections on upgrades as an 02 hire, and even though I was just a middle/late postal wave guy the numbers were still a bit disappointing...
Domestic WB Capt--MD11/A300....15-16 years (2017-2018)
Narrow body (757)...........10 years (2012)
The FDAs went very junior early, but now the bottom captain is a 3300ish number, and the most junior captain hired since the initial bid there was hired in 2001. Germany is a little better but its narrow body pay and a smaller housing allowance. The left seat has seen some rotation but the seats are filled.
Ramifications for guys on the street? United is hiring, as is US Air. Atlas, Alaska, and Hawaiian have all been hiring. You might want to consider some options besides FedEx. Apply everywhere--and if things change you can always change your mind. But as the FO hired 2 years ago from Atlas told me recently, "If I'd stayed I be a 767 captain next year..." He wasn't bitter, and likedthe variety and long term stability of FedEx. He is young and has a long time to ride it out here. At the same time, just because your old Navy buddy got hired here in 96 and is an MD11 captain does NOT mean your career will look like his at all. You need to run your own numbers.
But honestly...I would not expect any hiring here in 2014. I hope I am completely wrong.
On the other hand, I did see a 747 operated by Atlas in Ethidad colors on my last trip to Campinas. The mideast carriers are about to start trying to dump capacity anywhere they can. That is one threat... Read any ALPA publication for the last 12 months for more details. FYI tomorrow there is a supposed to be an inquiry in the House on who and why the CBP proposed a customers facility in Abu Dhabi. Should be interesting to watch when we see the light hit some of the roaches who thought this was a good idea....
Second threat is just a stagnant business market world-wide. Asia is slumping, Europe is in funk. I don't think its Armageddon, but it will take a while for economies to bounce back. The goal now is to increase yields with the current business, hence the accelerated replacement of 3 engine AC with newer more efficient ones.
Final threat is long term mode shift. Those shippers and train guys haven't been sitting on their hands the last 20 years, and they want some of this business. Their products have improved, they are cheaper, and they they are good businessmen. We aren't going away, but we aren't the only way to move goods from Asia to the US anymore reliably.
Last missive from company implied more cuts coming on Asia routes. Those are our most body-using routes, as long haul international takes more pilots per plane/flight than domestic. Cuts there hurt hiring more than domestic cuts.
As for hiring, our average BLG is close to or below our guarantee at the moment. I'm not a manning wonk, but it seems to me you could add a trip or two to each line without too much issue right now, or add a day to some of the international lines and still provide contractually required days off. That means they can turn the throttle up a bit with the bodies we currently have...
We seem to be retiring about 150 year. The "rush for the exits at 62" does not seem to be happening, although a handful of pilots are leaving early. Some are hanging on until 65. The net result is a lot of uncertainty for the company, but for someone on the sidelines waiting for a call losing 100 captains a year across five plane types isn't a huge deal, and doesn't appear to create a gaping void in manning. With vacation buybacks, volunteer, etc the company can move the freight with what we have.
Is this all gloom and doom? No. Our company for years has used downturns to cut and streamline. We are highly profitable. But we are also sitting on about 4400 pilots now, down about 300 from the high water mark I remember (I may be off here...) We may be able to shrink some more. The pilots here should have secure jobs, but those outside waiting need to understand the next 10 years do not always look like the last 10 years at any company in the business, and FedEx is no exception.
I ran my own projections on upgrades as an 02 hire, and even though I was just a middle/late postal wave guy the numbers were still a bit disappointing...
Domestic WB Capt--MD11/A300....15-16 years (2017-2018)
Narrow body (757)...........10 years (2012)
The FDAs went very junior early, but now the bottom captain is a 3300ish number, and the most junior captain hired since the initial bid there was hired in 2001. Germany is a little better but its narrow body pay and a smaller housing allowance. The left seat has seen some rotation but the seats are filled.
Ramifications for guys on the street? United is hiring, as is US Air. Atlas, Alaska, and Hawaiian have all been hiring. You might want to consider some options besides FedEx. Apply everywhere--and if things change you can always change your mind. But as the FO hired 2 years ago from Atlas told me recently, "If I'd stayed I be a 767 captain next year..." He wasn't bitter, and likedthe variety and long term stability of FedEx. He is young and has a long time to ride it out here. At the same time, just because your old Navy buddy got hired here in 96 and is an MD11 captain does NOT mean your career will look like his at all. You need to run your own numbers.
But honestly...I would not expect any hiring here in 2014. I hope I am completely wrong.
07-07-2013, 02:28 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Mar 2012
Position: Two Wheeler FrontSeat
Posts: 1,162
Hey Albie, you seems to be very well informed, thanks for the great post. I've heard that there are alot of guys at FedEx who can retire today if they want. Is that true and if so how many guys? Just trying to get an idea on what progression can be like once the hiring crank up again.
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