A few questions:

1) Do I understand correctly most of Fedex aircraft orders are replacements, not net growth? I read the 767 is replacing all the A310, MD-10 and A300. So receiving a bunch of additional 767's (something like 60 additional) but truly very little NET GROWTH? Versus the 30+ net new planes at UPS?

2) Are retirements pretty accurate on APC? Seems similar (percentage wise) to UPS.

3) With most new planes showing up for Fedex replacements (assumption), why is Fedex hiring 400+ per year? Increase in retirements don't seem to kick in for another 4-5 years.

4) If had to guess, what percentage of flying is day flying vs UPS?

5) Lots of DH's at Fedex, easier to commute? (not moving).

6) System bids not very frequent at Fedex? UPS? My understanding is while Nov 2016 hire was awarded 75 Captain at Fedex, upgrade at UPS will start to come down very soon as no hiring occurred between 2007-2014?

 

1. Fleet plan is fluid. There are plans to retire certain aircraft but those plans have been getting pushed back as the lift needed has been stronger than forecast. Certainly the MD10’s and A310’s won’t be around forever but it’s very difficult to say when they will actually be parked. MD11 and A300 will be around considerably longer based on info avail today. This is fluid and could change tomorrow. Impossible to say with any certainty.

2. The retirements reflected on APC only account for age 65 mandatory retirements. We have seen some going early but that means they aren’t accounted for accurately. For the most part I recommend counting the totals over a time range (i.e. 5 years) and that is a better snapshot than year to year.

3. See above answers. Also, I believe they are okay with being staffed properly instead of a little lean because they are well aware of pilot shortage and want bodies on property now.

4. Can’t speak for UPS but I would guess around 30-35% of FX domestic flying is daytime. You will have to fly nights so get used to the idea and get yourself very educated with it before seriously considering Purple. It’s part of the job.

5. Same as above. Many trips have DH’s but it does take some seniority to hold them. That being said, even hub turning with no DH is generally easy to commute in to.

6. System bids at Purple only happen every 12-24 months. We have the most restrictive seat movement in the industry with very punitive contractual language for changing seats laterally. Upgrade time to the left seat of the 757 is fast but for good reason. We have the worst RSV in the industry and people taking CA at 90-100% are looking at years of A RSV.


Hope that helps some.

-UA

 

I see that you are new to The Forum and you can save yourself a long wait by just using the search function. I believe every one of your questions have been answered ad nauseam. You could also just scroll under FedEx or UPS and get many of your other questions that you have answered as well. Just my two cents.

 

Thank you UA, very good info! Night flying not an issue, just thinking long term. And no, most of the info you provide is not clearly listed anywhere, so most helpful.

 

unless you have a job offer at both, it is not worth worrying about the differences.

they are both great careers.

apply at both and see what happens.

good luck!

 

While the 767s may be replacing A300/A310/MD10s, we have 777s on order yet to be delivered, some of which the delivery dates have been pushed earlier, and we have options to purchase more 777s. The 777 bidpack and flying is growing. I also believe we have options to purchase more 767s.

Why are we hiring 400+ this year? Because our business is growing and we need more pilots. That's straight from management.

Depends on where you commute from. If there's a major airport with FedEx planes flying to that airport, or if you live near a major hub with an airline serving Memphis, you're good. Otherwise, commuting to Memphis might be a PITA.