Airline Pilot Central Forums - FedEx pilot fair

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski (Post 2356887)

Ok ... so there was no vetting. Then why did our guy tell us there was?

And I'm pretty sure, as has already been stated, that all of us who took a couple of days out of our lives, sprang for hotels and rental cars and Uber's and in some cases airline tickets, already knew what an outstanding organization FedEx was. You're preaching to the choir already.

From your post, I can only infer that you have some knowledge of the proceedings. Perhaps you were even one of those who so generously volunteered your time. And if that's the case, and my comments have offended you, then I apologize.

But at the same time, if what you say is true, and there was no vetting and this little shindy has no bearing whatsoever on whether we get The Call, then I have to wonder: what was the point? Was it to make FedEx feel better about FedEx? Was it all a big PR stunt? And I'm sorry but I've been inside big fancy buildings before. Same thing with simulator bays and classrooms. And I don't need to go to Memphis to eat good barbecue, either.

You say you don't know what I was expecting? Really?

This is exactly how a lot of people who were at this event felt. Will they post that on this forum? Probably not.

Here's the deal. FedEx did a great job with the event. It was fairly seamless, it was well thought out, the food was free and amazing, and it was a very unique glimpse into their incredible training center.

However, many people have to agree... What was the point???

No vetting? Fine. But what's the point of first come, first serve to "candidates" who have no possible chance of getting hired? 3 checkride failures, a DUI and minor in possession? Come on down! That's a waste of a spot for someone who actually could get hired.

This event seemed to be about one thing. Making people want to choose FedEx over other airlines. The tone was condescending to many in attendance. As if we all have airlines begging us to work for them. Newsflash FedEx, we WANT TO WORK HERE! We didn't need stories of 220 countries and family and great pay. We know all of that.

Personally, I think the expo should have been for vets/military people who are clueless to 121 and pax/cargo. That's pretty much how it was set up. Im pretty sure every (most) civilian in the room has seen a bay of simulators and an FPD if theyve trained somewhere.

It was stated this wasn't a recruiting event. Okay. It's just hard when Southwest, United, Delta, and JetBlue have all done specific in house recruiting events.

For anyone with knowledge of FedEx already, how great it is, and trying to get hired, I see this as a waste of time and money. Sorry if you feel otherwise. I've had my PE talk directly to the chief pilot, and he was told "there's nothing anyone can do to help an applicant. It's just pilot credentials and point system." That's what we've come to, and I don't blame people for holding out a hope that this event might have helped their chances. No we know, it doesn't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by skankhunt42 (Post 2357299)

... "there's nothing anyone can do to help an applicant. It's just pilot credentials and point system." That's what we've come to, and I don't blame people for holding out a hope that this event might have helped their chances. No we know, it doesn't.

Thank an "entitled" society that will bring lawsuits over "unfair" hiring practices because the best candidate (them) wasn't selected!"

It's the company lawyers solution, not the OPS department!

Oddly depressing this thread for some reason.
An idea..volunteer at the Classic next month. All the VP's and their lieutenants have to attend, schmoozing dutifully about. A veritable who's who of brown nosing mastery on display. High dollar fund raiser for a good cause if nothing else. Lots of really cool swag too, maybe you can score the head covers?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adlerdriver (Post 2357162)

There are a few guys at Fedex that had the stars line up and got extremely lucky - apparently your "centerpiece" was one of them. Who better to pass out the purple koolaid at one of these things. I guarantee you that matching his background with yours wasn't a consideration when he was chosen to participate in this event. He's probably (understandably) an unrelenting cheerleader for all things Fedex, bleeds purple and was perfect for the job. You're insinuating a better choice would have been the jaded, crusty old bush pilot, 135 cargo guy or mil pilot on their 3rd airline, who paid their dues many times over would have been a better choice? For one, those guys were all home in bed (or maybe flying the line). Two, Fedex is like any other company - they're all about the PR and controlling the narrative whenever possible. They don't pick their representatives based on the hard knocks of their tour group audience.

From the sounds of things, this wasn't a huge event. As much as you might like to think you were somewhat anonymous, attitudes (good and bad) have a way of making their way to the surface. This APC board is well known to Fedex management also. Maybe this expo wasn't officially designed to screen pilot candidates, but IMO there's a high probability it might help those who attended. Fedex isn't going to say that outright. There's probably not a box checked on your app. The entire group were pilot candidates...Yes? Do you think that was a coincidence and they did that to make them "feel good about Fedex"? It was a chance for you to make a first impression and show some commitment to pursuing a job here. It's extremely likely that this was a test operation to see if such things bear fruit. The fact that they down-played the event isn't a surprise. But anyone can connect the dots. Your participation in that expo seems like a perfect tidbit to add to the "why do you want to work at Fedex" answer that I'm sure everyone invited for an interview has prepared. Being able to discuss first hand what you saw, emphasize that you attended, tie it all with a nice bow and lay it at the feet of your interview team is going to be worth your time and $.

We have a unique operation here. They can show it to you because it's impressive and most might find it interesting. Or, they could have brought you into a room and told you about it. If some guy coming out of a shady 135 op is used to a couple of trailers behind a hanger, maybe the buildings impressed him. I'd never seen a level-D simulator until I got on with my first airline - so again, maybe everyone touring with you wasn't quite as well traveled. Finally, would you rather they didn't offer to feed you?

When I show up to fly a trip, no one cares what kind of dues I paid to be standing in front of that flight plan in my uniform. Backgrounds and previous lives may come up on occasion, but it's not a contest and if you make it one you'll eventually be eating and drinking alone. Expecting Fedex to give one single fook about where you commuted from or how hard your aviation career has been up to now at some expo smacks of entitlement and an attitude in serious need of adjustment. Good luck.

All good points. I would add that throwing darts at any current employee of a company you want to work at is terrible headwork. Period, end of story and nothing anyone feels or wants to say is going to change that. On top of that, it's fairly easy to figure out exactly who he was talking about from his comments and imo it's definitely not someone you want to be smashing if you want to work here. Be the ball Johnny.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Larusso (Post 2357320)

Be the ball Johnny.

......or Danny ;)

I guess that some folks prefer to stand in line for hours at a time in hopes of 5 minutes of face time like most of the other Job Fairs. Only to hand one individual your resume, which they likely already have on file per their application process. I thought that this was a more intimate experience for hopefuls and should provide for some excellent talking points if they're ever fortunate enough to get the Interview Invite. All of the major names and faces were available for speaking to and leaving your lasting impression. Best of luck to all of those that attended!

Agreed. I was able to talk to the current guy in charge of recruiting as well as the lady in line to replace him when he retires. Also, the MEC chairman and other pilots. Everyone was very free and patient with their time. If you are down on FedEx after the event, maybe it's not the place for you.

http://persephonemagazine.com/wp-con...rt-popcorn.gif

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adlerdriver (Post 2357324)

......or Danny ;)

Lol, look before executing-autocorrect wins again. It was supposed to be Jeffy in reference to the screename from earlier in the thread.

So, FedEx wasted peoples' time, and were condescending, and this was just another expense. Hmmm.

If you are an ECIC client, please go back and listen again to the first audio of the series. "When does your interview begin?" "When is it over?" I plan on updating those very soon, but social media, tweets, and other electronic comm like email can get taken out of context and cause lasting damage. If you want to work at FedEx, and you are posting on social media, you are at an interview. When you are waiting in the lobby for a bus to take you to the event, you are at an interview. When you are meeting a friend of a friend who works at Fedex for BBQ, you are at an interview. That doesn't mean you are fake, phony, or plastic--but it does mean you need to consider the message that you telegraph.

FWIW...Here's what I did back in 2000. I flew--at my own expense--a 172 from PFN up to MEM. I met a former F-15 guy who drove me around to show me the sims, the AOC, and the general lay of the land. It helped me "visualize" what it would be like if I ever got an interview, and while I do not specifically remember any particular facets of my interview I am pretty sure I probably referenced the trip when I did finally sit down in August 2001 for my real shot. I also drove to Savannah for some sim time before my interview to practice flying a bigger and unfamiliar jet before my sim eval. It was not uncommon from 198x-2011 for guys to spend thousands for a little time in a sim before their FDX interview, and now the sim is no longer required. That is part of why you may see some backlash when you complain about a day off work, a hotel, and an uber ride. Your wonder-kid host aside, most of us put a lot of time, money, and effort to get here, and given the choice I would have been a hand-shaking, simulator ogling, BBQ-eating, Purple kool-aid drinking fiend if they had offered an open house back in 1999-2001.

Again--take this in the spirit given. LAG and I interviewed together, and every other guy in our group there was paying dues to have the chance. We want to see guys make it here. FedEx opened the door for an open house, and I think a great thing to say is "thanks for having me". It was not a Jetblue or United type job fair. Odds are, eventually we'll have those too. Until then--thousands of us never even got to see what you did, so a little graciousness might go a long way. I know this is an semi-anonymous board, but if that attitude permeates your real interactions with FedEx folks I don't think it will help your chances.