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Delta vs. FedEx

Old 01-14-2016, 06:40 AM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by Vito View Post
As a UPS guy with an excellent retirement, no PBS and job security, I'd say go to FedEx. Remember, all it takes is one hadji to get through again and everyone will be afraid to fly for a year....also, you hear a lot of guys mention the health effects of night flying etc, but I saw the health effects of Chapter 11 filings, loss of retirements and seniority, and the anxiety of "what's next" on the faces of my pax flying brothers in my Air Force Unit. There's something to be said for stability (for the most part) and as long as there are people in this world with a computer and a credit card, they will buy things online and it will have to be delivered. I valued the stability of the Cargo world, and that's why I chose UPS over United back in 1994...It turned out to be a wise, and lucky choice, and I will be retiring at 60 because Of that stability..Good Luck
Great post. One thing people don't consider, is that if you make enough money, with this kind of stability and pension that freight provides, you CAN retire earlier than you might have otherwise. You CAN fly less than you might have otherwise, and improve your QOL.

After I got furloughed way back when, I was turned down by United, and was absolutely devastated. My family really counted on me for the income, my spouse also was laid off, two little kids. It's a terrible feeling, not knowing how you're going to provide for your family, thinking you're going to have to live with a low paying, non-flying job, in the hope of getting recalled. United was my dream job.

Then, miraculously, I got hired by FedEx. Knew instantly that this was where I wanted to be. Got recalled by the other airline, didn't even consider going back. United completely dumped on their pilots, all those huge salaries went kaput, bankruptcies, furloughs. I am so lucky they turned me down.
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Old 01-14-2016, 06:45 AM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by Tuck View Post
Seriously? Are you for real? I'm guessing a new hire or maybe not even a hire, a wannabe? Your comments are incredibly ignorant.
Are you talking about his comments about avoiding night hub turning? There are plenty of people who avoid that. Tough at first, but definitely possible. I do a night hub turn every now and then, but it's been fairly rare for a long time. Just takes a little effort. I can't even hold most lines with night hub turns in the bid pack, people are asking for them.
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Old 01-14-2016, 07:06 AM
  #33  
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Only go to Delta if you consider yourself the very best of the very best, otherwise you'll find yourself surrounded by tool bags.
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Old 01-14-2016, 07:09 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by Spike from flyi View Post
Only go to Delta if you consider yourself the very best of the very best, otherwise you'll find yourself surrounded by tool bags.
Wait a minute, you're on the 777, affectionately known as the Tool Box. So....what are you surrounded with?
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Old 01-14-2016, 10:20 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by atr42flyer View Post
I am in indoc at Fedex now, I made a good decision to leave my previous employer. The systems they have in place here to support the pilots is pretty good. In my class the airbus went junior, the MD11 guys were handpicked and started a day earlier than everyone else. There is only going to be one more 777 spot for the year based on the current training letter for new hires. CGN and HKG have no openings so you would plan on the 767, 757, Airbus, all Memphis, or if you have the quals they could pick you to fly the MD11.
Congrats on getting hired. The training letter is an extremely fluid document and there are rumors of at least one giant bid, possibly two in the near future. There will be openings in almost every seat and almost every domicile that a new hire could either potentially start off in or bid for. The pilots in CGN and HKG continually cycle in and out due to staffing and contractual reasons. While the opportunity for a new hire to to be assigned a 777 seat will be a rare event, with the upcoming retirements and potential for growth from the TNT deal, if you are desperate to fly the 777 (with its associated international pay bumps) you will probably have an opportunity to do so fairly quickly, albeit as someone who will stay junior in that seat for a very long time.

Short story long and as backwards as it sounds, don't base future staffing needs on the current training letter. The company will be offering foreign domiciles to new hires, and if you are willing to be junior you will have the opportunity to go just about anywhere in any seat (the exception being LAX MD-11) in short order.
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Old 01-14-2016, 11:35 AM
  #36  
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Though I'm relatively new to it, and perhaps the more seasoned guys could correct me if I'm wrong, but true night flying (9pm-6am) is a different lifestyle. It's not like you can do a week of hub turns and act as if nothing happened on your subsequent days off. On top of that, I've found most guys rarely get more than 5-6 hours sleep at the hotel during nightly hub turns and maybe an hour in the sleep rooms resulting in a constant state of mild tiredness. And with the lackluster contract you won't even necessarily be getting a significant premium pay for it all. You never know what's going to happen in the world and you could wind up being stuck doing night sort for a lot longer than anticipated. Like someone said earlier, if you have the ability, do Jumpseat for a week with someone doing night turns. It's an eye opener. For that reason alone I'd really consider Delta. I also know a ton of delta guys and JS all the time on them; most are pretty cool, never got that holier than thou vibe except from maybe a new guy once. They do seem to have a real focus on safety first environment. Plus the travel bennies are awesome once you learn how to play the game and beats any medallion status if you and your family like to travel a lot. Last, you can drive to the NY base if you need or there all sorts of shuttles, trains, etc to move around the NE areas I that would work better for you IMO.

Good luck with your decision and congrats on the double offer. Jealous!!
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Old 01-14-2016, 01:49 PM
  #37  
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As someone who currently does his fair amount of night flying, I would give up a VERY good corporate job to be at FedEx. The flying may be a bit more taxing on your body, but the dollars and job security are unmatched. Congrats and best of luck with whatever you choose-
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Old 01-14-2016, 05:42 PM
  #38  
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You are at a crossroads for sure. These airline careers are polar opposites! If you are in this for the money and have deep interests outside of work, go to FedEx. If you have dreamed of being an airline captain, if this career is tied to your ego - be honest- go to Delta. Good luck with whatever you choose.
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Old 01-14-2016, 06:58 PM
  #39  
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As someone with 26+ years at Fedex, and a commuter, I can assure you, you will fly lots of night, hub turns or otherwise. I'm doing domestic day stuff currently and still can't avoid beginning or end of trip night turns, if for no other reason than to position to work or get home at the end of a trip. To avoid nights is next to impossible and your schedule will be totally controlled by your focus to avoid nights. If nights are a big issue with you, Avoid any freight operation, Fedex or otherwise. Its the nature of the business.
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Old 01-14-2016, 07:02 PM
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dckozak,

One of the best avatars I have seen on this site. Nice work!
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