There is some dated info out there but just wanted to see if anything has changed. My flying job may be ending in the next few months. I previously was a seasonal worker at the MEM hub and had heard a few rumors of pilots who meet the mins being able to get an interview after a year or so of throwing boxes. I am not going to play the regional game and pretty tired of moving around for another crappy 135 job. Any suggestions or is this just a stupid idea?

 

Depending on your age, have you considered ATC? I know a few furloughed pilots who went that route. Lots of opportunity, especially if you are a veteran with preference and a Bachelors Degree.

 

Took the ATSAT back in 2009 in PUBNAT 7 when I got furloughed. Never got selected. Now I am 30 so too late for the ATC thing now.

 

flyguy37, You don't mention what kind of flight time you have. While working full or part at Express will, indeed, get you an interview, non competitive quals could still leave you on the outside looking in. In the same vain, lack of recently would also possibly keep you out if your job at Fedex is not supplemented with continued flying to maintain currency.
A suggestion, but it would involve more "crappy" 135 flying.
Get on with someone like Ameriflight to keep building TPIC time. After you're there and have some control over your life, find a way to continue either part time with them and full time with Fedex; or, even better, continue full time flying while working part time for Fedex.
If you could balance the two (not saying it will be easy, and I would strongly suggest letting both employers know what you are doing). This could be a great way to get your foot firmly in the door at Fedex.

 

I have about 6k total 2k turbine pic. My old hub manager said he could take me back but as many of you are familiar with MEM hub operations it would be a 5 day a week job even part time and makes a full time flying job pretty impossible. Of course the worst part would be having to move back to Memphis!! I will see what contract flying I can find.

 

You got the numbers, but you'll have to stay current. Word from discussions here suggest you need to fly 200 hrs a year to be considered current. I'd ask someone better connected than me if those numbers are true. Move back to Memphis, do some contract flying, network down at the golf course and get your old job back. The timing would be good. We are not hiring at the moment and if you got back in now, you may leap frog the outsiders you will be competing with in a year or so. Good luck!

 

Had a buddy that tried internal for years. He is at Delta now. With this supposed pilot shortage, get a 4 year degree and you will get hired with any airline that is hiring.

 

Got the degree but I play at Quail Ridge and Not Memphis National!! I am not buying into this pilot shortage BS. Sure the regionals will be short paying 20k a year but all the majors will never have less than 5000 qualified applicants on file from here to eternity. Been trying to find a chief pilot's daughter but my wife has been a deterrence. I seriously appreciate the advice.

 

Not a stupid idea, flyguy. This was the path that I took and it's been a great ride. PM me if you would like to. Good luck to you.
Cheers,
fbh

 

How would you stay current?