Flying J

Currently 8 months at UAL. Commuter. Late 20's, will retire top 20. Single, no kids. Just received and invite to interview with FDX. Live in mountain west, neither FDX nor UAL have a base here.

Pros at FDX are the ease of commuting with reserved JS. Larger % of widebody flying. For the the most part, they don't have a dog in the ME3 fight or other joint venture type flying loss. And finally, mission oriented style flying. No pax, terminal bag drag, FAs, TSA, etc. Pension + 8% D.C. Hard line bidding with conflict.

Cons are easily the night flying, the possibility of autonomous airliners in the future, Amazon style threats, as well as a potentially changing trade climate. Longer commute.

UAL has been great, but the volitility of the pax airline industry can be worrisome at times. Joint ventures, ME3 threats, etc. Also, when you're flying larger widebody equipment, you're essentially flying all nighters as well. RJ's, more 175's, etc.

I'll commute forever for both. This is one of my single biggest concerns.

Thoughts? UAL/FDX were my top choices if that even matters.

Fdxlag2

Does FedEx operate into the airport you will commute out of? If so, and commuting is your main priority, go FedEx. Particularly if there is a day and night turn out of there.

BoilerUP

No reason to not interview, IMO.

G550Guy

My class (Jan) had a UAL guy... was there for almost 2 years. I asked him why he came to UPS and he said he like the flying and he also felt with 30 years to go, it was a safer bet.

Flying J

Yes, and yes, 2 -11's a day to MEM. AM and PM sort.

kc10/c130

You have no bad options right now. Might as well go to interview & see what happens. No matter what company you choose get senior & never be junior again . I recommend 777 long haul but everyone is different. Congrats & good luck.

PA31

FedEx is great. Every newhire can either hold WB or get passover pay if they are forced into a NB aircraft. Night flying is something you'll see as a junior FO/ but only accounts for about 60% of our flying. With seniority can be avoided. Our 777 fleet only does long haul, which wouldn't be different from UAL 777 trips. Newhires can hold any pretty much equipment depending on their class seniority.

Fdxlag2

So in your "base" 4 FDX pilots a week are likely Deadheading to and another 4 from; and 2 are spending the day and two are spending the night almost daily. The odds are good one of them can be you in a few years for as long as you like.

Rightseatpro

Don't forget the amount of deadheads FDX offers. Gold for a commuter. You are getting paid to commute.

I would say if you lived in a UAL domicile, stay with UAL. But if you are set on commuting...too many pros at FDX.

30 years from now...who knows. But you can only make an educated guess and never discount the industries past.

NYC Pilot

Personally, I would probably stay at United because I enjoy having people around and walking through airline terminals BUT the job security -stability/ pension at FDX is hard to beat. Can't go wrong either way. I have a friend who retired from Delta after 40 years and his savings is nothing compared to a fixed solid pension from FDX/UPS for the rest of your life. Ofcourse anything can happen to the pension but I think FDX/UPS is a safe bet for now.