American or FedEx
09-17-2018, 03:57 PM
#71
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2016
Position: 6th place
Posts: 1,826
Originally Posted by busdriver12
I'm glad it's better these days. My memories are of getting asked where this, that and whatever is located at the airport, just because I was a uniformed crew member, so apparently I should know everything. People poking their head in the cockpit to say a word, asking me to load their bag if I wasn't seated. Walking people to their gates, deadheading in uniform (what a joy). Chatty flight attendants, visiting in the cockpit, everyone wanting to go out (pilots pay for drinks, of course), constant conversation in the hotel van. No big deal for some, but I sure wasn't interested. I never, ever walk around the airport in my uniform if I can avoid it, which is almost always.
I’m pretty introverted as well so I understand where you’re coming from. What you’re saying absolutely happens. But not to a degree that takes away from the job. I’ll explain:
-“do you know where the gate b11 is?” “Yep that way.” Or “no, sorry”.
-never in 8 years of 121 have i had anyone besides an excited kid poke their head in the cockpit. I hit the fire test, they smile, i give them wings, they go to their seat
-never, ever had anyone ask me to load a bag
-never been asked to walk someone to a gate
-if an FA comes up to chit chat im cordial, but relatively short. I don’t like small talk and get that point across respectfully
-don’t go out with FAs because we hardly ever stay in the same hotel. Rarely go out with other pilot unless we hit it off. A few days 2 feet away from each other is enough for me. I use layovers to decompress, not socialize
-hotel van chatter is annoying. I play on my
phone and tune it out.
Point is these things just aren’t that big of a deal if you don’t let them be. I don’t so it’s not a factor for me.
One thing I’m super jealous of is the fact you guys can get up and hit the head whenever you want. I drink tons of water so that would be awesome. We can too, obviously, but it’s a little more involved.
09-17-2018, 06:10 PM
#73
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,756
Originally Posted by mainlineAF
I’m pretty introverted as well so I understand where you’re coming from. What you’re saying absolutely happens. But not to a degree that takes away from the job. I’ll explain:
-“do you know where the gate b11 is?” “Yep that way.” Or “no, sorry”.
-never in 8 years of 121 have i had anyone besides an excited kid poke their head in the cockpit. I hit the fire test, they smile, i give them wings, they go to their seat
-never, ever had anyone ask me to load a bag
-never been asked to walk someone to a gate
-if an FA comes up to chit chat im cordial, but relatively short. I don’t like small talk and get that point across respectfully
-don’t go out with FAs because we hardly ever stay in the same hotel. Rarely go out with other pilot unless we hit it off. A few days 2 feet away from each other is enough for me. I use layovers to decompress, not socialize
-hotel van chatter is annoying. I play on my
phone and tune it out.
Point is these things just aren’t that big of a deal if you don’t let them be. I don’t so it’s not a factor for me.
One thing I’m super jealous of is the fact you guys can get up and hit the head whenever you want. I drink tons of water so that would be awesome. We can too, obviously, but it’s a little more involved.
-“do you know where the gate b11 is?” “Yep that way.” Or “no, sorry”.
-never in 8 years of 121 have i had anyone besides an excited kid poke their head in the cockpit. I hit the fire test, they smile, i give them wings, they go to their seat
-never, ever had anyone ask me to load a bag
-never been asked to walk someone to a gate
-if an FA comes up to chit chat im cordial, but relatively short. I don’t like small talk and get that point across respectfully
-don’t go out with FAs because we hardly ever stay in the same hotel. Rarely go out with other pilot unless we hit it off. A few days 2 feet away from each other is enough for me. I use layovers to decompress, not socialize
-hotel van chatter is annoying. I play on my
phone and tune it out.
Point is these things just aren’t that big of a deal if you don’t let them be. I don’t so it’s not a factor for me.
One thing I’m super jealous of is the fact you guys can get up and hit the head whenever you want. I drink tons of water so that would be awesome. We can too, obviously, but it’s a little more involved.
But I'm glad you found what worked for you. I never was able to. Didn't realize what a stress it was until I was gone from there. I know it's not a negative for many others, though.
09-17-2018, 08:03 PM
#74
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: 767A (Ret)
Posts: 6,248
Originally Posted by busdriver12
It sounds like you have it figured out, because I found it draining. Apparently I must look very approachable, even though I always tried to look away and walk fast. 75 hours of flying a month is a lot of legs, terminal time, and too many opportunities for interaction. Now I might do that in 2 1/2 to 3 months, with short legs and long layovers.
But I'm glad you found what worked for you. I never was able to. Didn't realize what a stress it was until I was gone from there. I know it's not a negative for many others, though.
But I'm glad you found what worked for you. I never was able to. Didn't realize what a stress it was until I was gone from there. I know it's not a negative for many others, though.
They will be 20 feet away from you and accelerating.
09-17-2018, 10:25 PM
#75
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,099
American or FedEx
Originally Posted by kwri10s
The difference between our plan and the fantasy plan the union keeps projecting is that in our plan 25% of the participants will be retiring and drawing payments out of the fund within the next 5 years. 50% or our group will retire within the next 10 years.
Originally Posted by BrulesRulez
PFC. Chart was updated April of 17.
That’s what I thought but when I looked at the chart, it’s not really 50% in the next 9 or ten years.
09-18-2018, 12:41 AM
#77
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2005
Posts: 1,273
Originally Posted by Slowmover
In the past 100 hours (6 weeks)...
To the OP:
Having said that, I agree with most posters on here. There is lots of good AND bad at FedEx. I was a furloughed legacy guy who did 5 years as a full-time AF Reserves guy before coming here. When friends ask me about FedEx, I tend to undersell it. The last thing I want is for a good friend to come here because I painted a rosy picture of FedEx life and they’re on their 3rd night of Grand Rapids hub turns in February cursing my name.
But, when I was on the 777, like others have said, I never saw Memphis. I lived near a major metropolitan airport and would just change my scheduled FedEx-bought airline ticket to depart from my home airport and get paid to go to work while sipping bourbon and watching movies. There’s something here for everyone, and once (if) you find it, you’ll be happy. That’s not to say that there aren’t thing I don’t miss about my time at the legacy. Daylight being one of them. But overall, I’m happy I’m here and wouldn’t go back to my old seniority number at the legacy I was at.
Good luck with your decision! Let us know how it turns out.
09-18-2018, 12:50 AM
#78
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2018
Posts: 69
Originally Posted by Flying Boxes
FYI
Union plans to negotiate with company to take some funds out of the (overfunded) A Fund as seed money to make the VBP RETRO active for those who already have 25 years of service.....
Union plans to negotiate with company to take some funds out of the (overfunded) A Fund as seed money to make the VBP RETRO active for those who already have 25 years of service.....
09-18-2018, 04:21 AM
#79
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Posts: 557
Originally Posted by VamosALaPlaya
Now that is a funny statement, OVERFUNDED A Fund!!!! You keep thinking that.
Ask the question to Alpa and get the answer from them. I did.
09-18-2018, 05:12 AM
#80
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Position: N/A
Posts: 2
Thank you for all of the feedback! I was not expecting that many people to recommend FDX over AA even with the commute (or DH). That is exactly what I was looking for.
I have a couple of follow up questions for the crowd.
1) I have a low last 4 so I will likely be at the bottom of my class. I'm assuming the 757 is the junior equipment in each class. How long are you normally on reserve?
2) How senior do you have to be (generally) to consistently hold the double-DH trips?
I have a couple of follow up questions for the crowd.
1) I have a low last 4 so I will likely be at the bottom of my class. I'm assuming the 757 is the junior equipment in each class. How long are you normally on reserve?
2) How senior do you have to be (generally) to consistently hold the double-DH trips?
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