FWIW......I worked in the MEM hub "throwing boxes" through college. After graduating, I got a job in flt ops (flight coordination to be precise) while flight instructing and contract flying locally during the day. I had to leave big purple when I got my first full time flying job, but I eventually made my way back as a direct result of my contacts made while working in flt ops. (For the record, I fly in the corporate department at FedEx) I know of at least four other guys (2 recent hires) that I fly with here that managed to come from the inside as well....

It will require patience, but it is doable. It certainly doesn't hurt to "be on the inside" if you can do it without sacrificing too much else, but you still gotta get to 1000 tpic......

 

dspilot: Thanks for the info. From what I have been reading over the last few days it sounds like coming from within the company carries more weight then almost anything else. That is good to know if this is the direction I really end up going.
If you don't mind me asking is there a reason that you chose the corporate side as opposed to the freight side?

Thanks,

Runner

 

It's where my contacts happened to be at a time when they were hiring.

That's true with the caveat being that you still must meet the minimum hiring requirements.......

 

Sometimes the corp flt dept is hiring when the airline isn't, and sometimes the opposite. You can switch to the line later if you spend a certain amount of time in the corp flt dept, however you start over with seniority.

As for flying while working at Express as a permanent part time employee, you need to be VERY careful. It's VERY difficult to get time off from Express that isn't paid vacation time. Some managers may be willing to give you unpaid time off, but it's very rare since the company is very focused on running as lean as possible. Military or medical leave is really the only way to get large chunks of unpaid time off, and you don't want to take medical leave if you're trying to move from box throwing to line pilot.

 

Flying the corporate jets for FDX will eventually get you an interview for the "line" just like a guy throwing boxes, or a gig as a "Professional Instructor" in the Flight Training Dept would (after the minimum commitment). But, remember, you could have been flying FWS for years, however, you still must pass the interview. The interview is guaranteed, passing it is not. I know of a guy who had an "executive referral" from a CEO and was not hired.

Over the years I've gotten 5 guys hired, all were civilians, one was an internal who threw boxes/AAEagle pilot. It took great commitment to drive a tug from 8pm till 2am, THEN go fly an RJ from 7am ALL DAY...day after day. Some of my guys have gone on to be respected wide-body check airmen. It can be done. Just remember, recency of experience plays a big role in the interview process. Don't quit your flying gig to go throw boxes! Also, as said in an earlier post, build a network of FDX pilots as you meet them.

Who you know can be better than space shuttle time. BTW, I understand the simulator part of the interview is history.

 

That doesn't sound safe at all

 

LOL...neither is landing on a carrier at night ;-)

The things we did to build the time...

 

I was thinking the same thing when I read that.. Sometimes we are our own worse enemy..

 

I fixed that for you. There isn't any other way you can rationalize that.

 

dspilot, when were you in coordination?
I interned there in '97-'98.