Airline Pilot Central Forums - Captain to FE

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetjok (Post 102987)

Well, since you asked, there could be a hundred reasons why he (we) decide to go from the left seat (or right seat, for that matter) to the back seat.

1. Poor financial planning
2. Supporting his previous 3 or 4 wives and their homes
3. Wanting to stay "connected" to his previous life of 30 years
4. He feels too young to retire
5. Likes to visit friends/places around the country
6. Hopes to get back in the left seat with the Age 60 rule change
7. Still feels he has something to offer
8. Enjoys the lifestyle he has become accustomed to (being on the road)
9. Likes the smell of jet fuel in the morning
10 Because the Company allows him to stay
11-100 And any number of other personal reasons that are none of your business.

Although once a captain, always a captain, I do wholeheartedly agree with Jack Lewis' dictate to wear the stripes of the seat that you are occupying. It's purpose, I'm sure, is to eliminate confusion. Not within the cockpit, but between ground personnel and crewmembers. After all, if you walked in and saw this distinguished, older guy and two young snot-nosed kids;) , whom would you assume to be the captain? So wearing the 3 stripes helps eliminate those types of issues, and I'm all for that.

As for the pay. Same thing. You should get paid for the job that you do. Plain and simple.

The bottom line (IMHO) is this: guys go to the back seat for any number of reasons. All personal. If they do a good job, great! If they do a crappy job, then they should be somewhere else. Just like any other guy flying an aircraft. If you don't like it...tough, they didn't make the rule, they are just living by it. If it effects your quality of life, live with it. You'll probably have the same capability at some point in your career, if you decide to exercise it. In the meantime, you might think about the fact that if not for that guy, you might not be where you are now. As an example, if not for the original guys shelling out of their own pockets for gas, this company might not even be in existence now.

Very well stated. I am glad that you made that post.

Well then, about how old is the oldest FE? I know that one must be able to continue to pass that first class medical, I figure that one could be able to do this for sometime after the 60-go to the back- threshold.

I have flown with FEs around 73? I don't think there is a requirement to maintain a first class medical. Only a second class

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airbum (Post 103413)

I have flown with FEs around 73? I don't think there is a requirement to maintain a first class medical. Only a second class

We had an FE here at FedEx that flew P-40s in WWII. (E.W.) He retired a few years back. He was close to 80 I think, might even have been 80.
BTW FO's and FE's perrFAA standards only need a 2nd class.
Some company's require 1st class but that is a company thing.
FO's who perform RFO (Cruise CAPT) duties require a 1st class.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedeyeAV8r (Post 103414)

He didn't retire! He wandered off during a night pre-flight and has not been seen since.:D Just a little Over-60 humor. In my opinion, he was quite over the top. The idea, in my mind anyway, is to work until you don't need to anymore, then stop and smell the flowers. That said, imagine the stories that came out of him, when he was awake, of course. I hope he is out chasing girls on the beach in Miami. His son is still here and a well-respected captain.

I have heard about the Falcon drivers back in the early days that would put the fuel bill on thier personal credit cards in order to help the struggling company along.

I met the individual you are speaking of back in 1997, just before his retirement. He is the only one I've ever heard of who used a personal credit card...there was an article in the Commercial Appeal about it.
If you think about the political atmosphere concerning unions during his era, and then consider the fact that he was working in the Union office and holding a leadership position when I met him, you can get a pretty good idea of how much he thought the company appreciated or remembered his efforts from previous decades.

Maybe they didn't do it because they "loved" the company. Maybe they did it because they saw the potential and believed that with a little help, the thing could grow. Fred Smith is not the only visionary amongst FedEx people. Actually, it doesn't matter what their motive was, the fact that it was done is something that we should all be happy about. No one ever said the company would love you or appreciate you, just that you'd get a good days pay for a good days work. No more and no less. It's like the guy who invented the wheel. We all have to thank him, because without him, there'd be no beer truck.:)

We don't sleep....we check the side window for cracks...

Seriously,

A few winks during cruise is worth its weight in gold come approach time. I have no problem with someone needing "a little time to themselves" as long as it is talked about.....besides, it's quieter that way when I'm reading my book!

:)

I will take the crusty more mature backseater that I can count on come approach time vs the twenty something backseater while on a no kidding 600rvr approach into LAX who at the 500' gpws call is writing a letter to her boyfriend while looking sideways........

I've got to give credit to the F/O's. They always come really well rested and prepared to fly.

At the top of climb I always ask them first if they are tired and want to close their eyes for a few. 99% of them always say "I'm doing good, not tired at all!"

So I close my eyes for a nap knowing how high quality the FDX F/O's are! :)

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