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Grumpyaviator 05-27-2019 05:21 AM


Originally Posted by Tao of Funk (Post 2818531)
I left WN for FedEx, albeit with only 6 months at the former. My assessment comes during my honeymoon having less than 2 years with FedEx.

If you can’t (or won’t) fly nights, forget it. I was at a regional for 17 years and chose not to commute, I had commuted enough times to know it wasn’t for me. Commuting at FedEx is a breeze. Do some homework on the city from which you plan to commute, there are some FedEx cities that are quite busy. I’m commuting from a city that offers plenty of FedEx jumpseats. I also ride paid commercial deadheads quite a bit now and it is very slick. I still jumpseat offline occasionally and get much luv from everyone.

The crews here are top notch. I’m speaking of the captains with whom I work and the crews I catch a ride from 3 times a month. Former military, cargo, airline, it doesn’t matter. Without a doubt they have been super cool and accommodating. It’s standard at FedEx to do a debrief after every flight. Not once has the captain bagged on me for a slip up. If it’s their leg they’ll only debrief their own performance. Seriously classy people.

If you absolutely, positively have to go out on overnights, buyer beware. I’ve gone out for dinner and drinks however some schedules aren’t conducive to a social life. No one will give you grief if you slam click, I’m not sure if people here even know what a slam click is.

People don’t complain much and they don’t rag on each other. Well, okay, if you were in the military expect the requisite us versus them banter. All in good fun. I wouldn’t characterize people as kool-aid drinkers either. Honest opinions and solid info abound.

Plan to be goal oriented. People want to move the freight, they come to work to get the job done. On the flip side if you want to drop a trip that’s not a problem, someone will take it. The first time I dropped reserve days my jaw hit the floor, that was a career first!

The interview was tough. I put a lot of time and effort into getting ready. It was my third “major” interview and the most difficult. The interviewers were friendly but they have a job to do. I wouldn’t have been surprised if I didn’t pass. No matter what you have heard or think, they are looking for honest, humble, polite, articulate people. So they make a mistake from time to time, yay for me!

For sure FedEx isn’t for everyone. Each month that passes I am happier with my decision to come here. I could have gone to United, stayed at Southwest, or come here. This job fits me like a glove!

How likely/often is dropping reserve possible, and do you drop days or whole blocks?

NewOldGuy 05-27-2019 05:26 AM

That really depends on your seat/airframe. There is no “permanent” answer.
For instance, last year I dropped my entire reserve schedule each month for a year and picked up open time to fly. Could I do that now, highly doubt it. But I could still probably manage a qtr to half (maybe). It takes patience and work to do that though. It’s not a simple press of the button and done.


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Grumpyaviator 05-27-2019 07:58 AM


Originally Posted by NewOldGuy (Post 2826968)
That really depends on your seat/airframe. There is no “permanent” answer.
For instance, last year I dropped my entire reserve schedule each month for a year and picked up open time to fly. Could I do that now, highly doubt it. But I could still probably manage a qtr to half (maybe). It takes patience and work to do that though. It’s not a simple press of the button and done.


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Thanks for the info.

PurpleToolBox 05-28-2019 07:26 PM


Originally Posted by Ihateusernames (Post 2821191)
Do you really think anyone would admit they made a mistake by leaving?

Well, yes. I came from a major and I have been honest with all of the folks who ask me “was it worth it.”

There are pros and cons to every airline job.

FDX fits me better but not everything is rosy here.

Zard 07-28-2019 08:15 PM

Mucho mahalos for this thread and the replies. I’m a SWA bubba with an expo invite. Purple was always the goal leaving my last gig but she never asked me to the dance.

I live in a domicile that the head shed swears is going to grow, just as soon as a bunch of gates get built. We’ll see.

The only pros I’ve got to staying at SWA should I get invited to interview (big if) and make it through said interview (bigger if) are I drive to work (yuuuuge) and we have real time trip trading, plus a year and some change of seniority. I’ve got a couple decades left before they make me quit flying, so the seniority is maybe a wash. I’m a PM flyer; it’s not straight up nights or red eyes but it sure feels like it when you land at 0345.

Any one who made the jump who regrets it? PM if you aren’t comfy throwing it out here, but I truly do appreciate all the guys who took the time to reply here as well as all the purple people I’ve spoken to through other channels.

JustAnFO 07-29-2019 05:33 AM


Originally Posted by Zard (Post 2861072)
Mucho mahalos for this thread and the replies. I’m a SWA bubba with an expo invite. Purple was always the goal leaving my last gig but she never asked me to the dance.



I live in a domicile that the head shed swears is going to grow, just as soon as a bunch of gates get built. We’ll see.



The only pros I’ve got to staying at SWA should I get invited to interview (big if) and make it through said interview (bigger if) are I drive to work (yuuuuge) and we have real time trip trading, plus a year and some change of seniority. I’ve got a couple decades left before they make me quit flying, so the seniority is maybe a wash. I’m a PM flyer; it’s not straight up nights or red eyes but it sure feels like it when you land at 0345.



Any one who made the jump who regrets it? PM if you aren’t comfy throwing it out here, but I truly do appreciate all the guys who took the time to reply here as well as all the purple people I’ve spoken to through other channels.



I've been there over 12+ years (through the merger), and got an interview invite last week. I'll let you know in a year what i miss.


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901Dude 07-29-2019 03:44 PM

Congrats on the invite. There’s some great folks heading down to FL for the expo. As far as the pros to staying at SWA, it’s really big IMO driving to work vs commuting. I live in Memphis and hated commuting. Also, you’re right...seniority is a wash—maybe. You’ll make CA here quickly if that’s your goal. Otherwise sit in the right seat and wait until your seniority builds. FWIW, I never flew for SWA but was hired by them. After weighing all the factors, it was clear to me which way to go...however...SWA would have been a close, close second had I chose to stay in one of SWA’s domiciles ie BWI/MCO/ATL. Good luck with your choice, but if you’re interviewed and hired here, I would pick FedEx ;)

coryk 07-29-2019 08:20 PM


Originally Posted by Zard (Post 2861072)
Mucho mahalos for this thread and the replies. I’m a SWA bubba with an expo invite. Purple was always the goal leaving my last gig but she never asked me to the dance.

I live in a domicile that the head shed swears is going to grow, just as soon as a bunch of gates get built. We’ll see.

The only pros I’ve got to staying at SWA should I get invited to interview (big if) and make it through said interview (bigger if) are I drive to work (yuuuuge) and we have real time trip trading, plus a year and some change of seniority. I’ve got a couple decades left before they make me quit flying, so the seniority is maybe a wash. I’m a PM flyer; it’s not straight up nights or red eyes but it sure feels like it when you land at 0345.

Any one who made the jump who regrets it? PM if you aren’t comfy throwing it out here, but I truly do appreciate all the guys who took the time to reply here as well as all the purple people I’ve spoken to through other channels.

Not quite Southwest, but I left UAL after 6 months to come to FedEx 2 years ago. I'd do it again. And again. And again.

redbaronahp 07-30-2019 05:27 AM


Originally Posted by coryk (Post 2861658)
Not quite Southwest, but I left UAL after 6 months to come to FedEx 2 years ago. I'd do it again. And again. And again.

And I left AA for FedEx. No regrets.

lpcunity 07-30-2019 06:05 AM

I left Alaska with 4 years seniority. Glad I did.


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