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SW FO considering FDX

Old 05-11-2019, 02:04 AM
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Default SW FO considering FDX

I’m considering applying to FX after almost 6 years with SW. My reasons are better commuting options and variety in flying. Obviously there are other reasons too. Widebody, international and so on....

Currently, I live in domicile and don’t like the city. There isn’t a SW domicile my wife or I want to live in. We want to live in our hometown. I am going to commute regardless of the company. This may sound crazy but life is too short to live away from family.

Flying the 737 domestically quite frankly is boring. No variety in flying. Our overnights continue to get shorter and shorter and the trip density is high. I block over 700 hours a year.

I’m looking for a change, but I obviously know it would be a monumental move. I would be starting over and losing the seniority I already have at SW.

Anyone with similar experience or prospective I would appreciate opinions.
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Old 05-11-2019, 04:02 AM
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Im brown, we have had several WN folks like yourself steadily come on over the years for similar reasons and am certain many at FedEx. Normal IMO with current opportunities. We also have some leave for pax ops.
Good luck with FedEx. Many happy friends at purple.
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Old 05-11-2019, 04:10 AM
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Sounds like you have your reasons and they are good ones. If you are serious don’t dawdle. The one thing about FDX is the difference between a junior line and a senior line is tremendous. Every line number counts.
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Old 05-11-2019, 05:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Fdxlag2 View Post
.... The one thing about FDX is the difference between a junior line and a senior line is tremendous. Every line number counts.
And even more important to a commuter, which most of us are.
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Old 05-11-2019, 05:50 AM
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Lots of former WN dudes here at FDX.
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Old 05-11-2019, 06:36 AM
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Wow, your in laws must not be evil spawns of the devil. I’m jealous.
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Old 05-11-2019, 07:19 AM
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I love SWA, but yeah I would absolutely get sick of flying the 737 domestic for the rest of my career. FedEx is definitely a good place for commuters, once you get some seniority. I ended up choosing FDX over a class at UAL because I will eventually be a commuter for life, and having the ability to pick and keep your jumpseat three weeks out at FDX is pretty awesome (not based on seniority either). Not to mention the deadheads we get on the front and/or back, which you can change to have your commute paid for and get trip credit for.

The other thing that’s nice about FDX is you can really choose your own adventure. Depending on what it is, it may take some seniority. But you can fly domestic 757 (and gain seniority quick!), with layovers in your hometown. Or you can fly around the world in the 777, and only commute once a month (with a good chance of at least the front or back of the trip being a deadhead). Or you can live in a foreign base, and have a really cool taste of the ex-pat life in Germany (757) or Hong Kong (767, which is what I’m doing and was awarded as a new hire). The MD-11 seems to do a bit of everything, and the Airbus seems to stay in North America (but I honestly don’t know much about what those trips are like).

You WILL fly at night for a good portion of your time here, and I’m not going to lie sometimes it’s pretty challenging. But the good news is that usually the duty and block hours are low (much lower than what you’re used to at SWA). Overall I fly WAY less than I did as an RJ pilot, and the duty days here are usually much shorter despite the fact that we don’t have 117 rest rules.

I’ve come to find out that it’s not perfect here, and we do need to correct some things in the next contract. But overall I think it’s the best place to be for a lot of folks, myself included. But we also have people that have left for other places too and been happy with their choices (although almost every new hire class has someone from UAL/DAL/AA/SWA).

Last edited by wrxpilot; 05-11-2019 at 07:31 AM.
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Old 05-11-2019, 09:15 AM
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Made the jump to Purple after almost 2 years at WN. Simply put - no regrets. Well, going back on first year pay kinda stunk but WB second year pay softened the blow. Honestly, I was more fatigued at WN than at FedEx. I"m a commuter and typically choose/build a hub-turn schedule for home schedule reasons and still find it easier on my 40-something year old body.

It's not perfect, but nowhere is gonna be. I think our hiring will stay steady for the time being as our retirements continue.

Best of luck in your future!
-4FF
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Old 05-11-2019, 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by wrxpilot View Post
I’ve come to find out that it’s not perfect here, and we do need to correct some things in the next contract. But overall I think it’s the best place to be for a lot of folks, myself included. But we also have people that have left for other places too and been happy with their choices (although almost every new hire class has someone from UAL/DAL/AA/SWA).
How dare you say that!! Guys like Kronan and others have "worked hard" to ensure we have the best contract. Things are awesome here ... absolutely perfect.

^^^^ Warning: sarcasm alert. ^^^^^

I agree with you 100%. Kronan, and others like him, if you are paying attention, that's a formal regional guy saying we have problems in our contract that must be addressed. Hopefully we will have a lot more of these type of new hires on our list when the next contract comes instead of the "yes sir, two bags full" type and the "company has drawn a line in the sand, we've worked hard on this contract and there's no money left on the table" type.
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Old 05-11-2019, 10:08 AM
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With what you said, probably a good choice, particularly if you're fairly young. Many commuters get deadheads (even if you're extremely junior, easy to trade for them), so positive space, collect the airmiles instead of begging for a ride. And if you're anti-social like me, you'll appreciate no pax (except for the occasional jumper or animal handler), and no flight attendants. That kind of interaction just drains me.
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