You don't need 3 recommendations from Fedex guys for the training job, they can be from anyone you have flown with. One of mine was from the chief pilot at my previous job.

 

There's a lot less competition for these jobs. We might have 10,000 apps. on file to go to the line but only 100 for a professional job. The upside is good pay for 3 years and then going to the line. The downside is living in Memphis and waiting 3 years for a line number. Most guys gamble and wait instead of taking these jobs in the interim. Guess what, three years later when one is going to the line, the guy who gambled is still waiting and wishing.

If you think there is no way FedEx will call you, taking a pro sim instructor job might be the way to go. On the other hand, one can wait and wish....

 

FDXer27.

you mentioned the pro sim job could be commutable--with 19/23 work days out of the month that would be major time away from your home. Is the schedule like 4 days on 3 off? I am hoping to get a look for one of these jobs as I am short on PIC time right now, so I will still need to fly as much as I can at my reserve job. How workable would that be with a commute?

 

I just interviewed for the pro sim job. Couple of my sponsers that did the pro job a few years ago said that living in MEM is the best way. I will feel like a part time job. If you commute it will be like working two jobs. I agree that this is the best way in to get on property. Even if I had a m+g today it would be about 18 months to get hired so I am really only giving up a 18 months seniority. Not too bad for a guaranteed job at one of the best jobs out there. Plus being home every night will be nice for a while. Hope my wife agrees

 

Kudos for doing anything to get your foot in the door, I applaud that. But I also think it's unrealistic to say 18 months until you'd get hired.

Personally, I would be patient and wait if at all possible. We have a huge bid coming up, new jets on the property (additional widebodies as well as 75's, 777's), retirements, possible European domicile, new Chief Pilot, etc... there are so many variables and unknowns right now. Remember -- the SCP doesn't make the call on how many to hire. Tomorrow, some bean counter over on Hacks Cross could call his office and say "how many can we train until the end of the year?" and the floodgates could open.

Nothing wrong with being a sim jockey -- it's a great way to get your lobotomy for free and get your foot in the door.

Good luck dc3. If it were me and I was qualified and had reputable sponsors, I'd hang out for a few more months.

 

Yeah I agree with you. I how ever don't have 3 official sponsers that I have flown with. The sim position is the best thing that could happen for me right now so I am very excited.
Hopefully see you in the school house,

 

Good luck to you!

 

You will work 15 or 19 days (4 or 5 week months). The job is very commutable if you have a good scheuduler, and that's luck of the draw. I was not a pro, but a flex who commuted for 2 years. I left because the new contract took it from a great deal to just a good deal and I can get more time off flying the line. If you live near Miami, I would jump on a 727 Pro job becuase the use sims in Miami and your commute would be non-event (that can change as they get more sims up in Memphis). If you lived in Atlanta or LA, then a MD-11 pro job would be a great deal for the same reasons. They try to put commuter off station every month if possible. You would get DH's to and from work to do that, so it makes it more commutalbe as well. Bottom line, I would jump on a pro-job if you are young enough to do the 3 years and move the line and build a descent nest egg for retirement.

OBTW - the schedule varries, but I was able to get either week on/week off, or 15 days in a row. They will protect 5 days off for you, so that gives you a little control over days off.

 

Perhaps DC3 sponsors offered him the chance to interview for sim job...

"Bird in hand...", baby, bird in hand. Bottom guy on 727 FO spot right now is a former pro, and you don't here him complaining....

What would I do to get to FedEx? Whatever it takes... I was one of the lucky postal bid VFR direct to the line kind of guys, but in this day of M&G hell and the long delays, whatever you can do to get here sounds like a good plan to me!

 

That's a Flex schedule -- a Pro works more days per month.




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