SW FO considering FDX
05-11-2019, 10:28 AM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Position: B767
Posts: 1,899
Originally Posted by PurpleToolBox
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.
^^^^ 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.
05-11-2019, 10:38 AM
#12
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2015
Posts: 98
Originally Posted by PurpleToolBox
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.
^^^^ 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.
Just curious what makes a "regional" pilot better in your eyes? Is it a willingness to burn the house down that makes them better negotiators? To our negotiators defense (right or wrong), could you argue that when there's more to lose, there's naturally more risk aversion? Or should we be okay with the possibility of wrecklessness at the negotiating table? I get it, in the opening pages of a book on any great organization is the acceptance of risk, but for every success story there are many more failures. The one commonality were the good intentions to succeed. I know you have valid arguments and concerns and I won't pretend to be the guy with the right answer, but I suspect where we should be in the risk acceptance spectrum lies somewhere in the middle, which is probably where we are and should be. That's not to say we don't stand in unity for what we believe in, but it also doesn't mean we have to win every battle at all cost. I don't have a union job outside of paying dues, but I do recognize that it's always easier to throw darts when you aren't playing against anyone else.
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05-11-2019, 11:21 AM
#13
Banned
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Position: 7th green
Posts: 4,378
Originally Posted by busdriver12
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.
95% of you problems as a passenger airline pilot are due either to passenger or F/A drama. Cargo is the way to go, especially with a first rate company like FedEx or UPS.
05-11-2019, 11:48 AM
#15
On Reserve
Joined APC: Oct 2018
Position: 737 FO
Posts: 23
Originally Posted by Oklaviator
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.
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.
No similar experience, but I’m right there with you. SWA flying is a boring grind. My other half is a FedEx 757 FO, and after less than 3 years, is in the top 15%, and flies 2/3 LESS than I do for almost the same money I made as an FO. Once I figure out the magic to getting past the interview invite computer, I’ll jump.
You’ll have plenty of co-hearts tell you you’re crazy for leaving, but they probably are unaware of how the outside world has changed since they got hired (typical of the company as a whole.) SWA used to be the “brass ring” of pilot jobs in the US for many, but other jobs have long since surpassed it.
Best of luck! Get that app fired up yesterday.
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05-11-2019, 12:03 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,420
I am a SWA FO and I love this thread so far. Factual info, opinions without outrage, and someone who sees the flip side of the coin and a good opportunity that doesn’t involve SWA. FedEx was always on the top
of my list, but I didn’t get an interview there and now I feel like I have too much invested here to give it up.
Good for you for starting the thread and keeping it classy. APC is a cesspool, but every now and then a thread gives me hope for the future.
I wish you well in your future endeavors no matter what they are.
of my list, but I didn’t get an interview there and now I feel like I have too much invested here to give it up.
Good for you for starting the thread and keeping it classy. APC is a cesspool, but every now and then a thread gives me hope for the future.
I wish you well in your future endeavors no matter what they are.
05-11-2019, 01:23 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2005
Position: 757 Capt
Posts: 2,418
There are a lot of different niches. Domestic, Canada\Mexico\Northern Cone coming back (reportedly). 777 with long legs and big bucks for the block override. RFO trips DH'ing all over the world with the flight attendants pouring a bottomless glass.
Only know one guy who left FedEx for UAL, and that was because he couldn't hang with the Nights.
Nights are way different at FedEx now as compared to back then. Now, we have a lot more sleep rooms as well as a wakeup call program. So, if you have an 0200 show, FDX will take the responsibility of waking you up appropriately versus you setting an alarm for 0150 (or as your heart desires). And if there's weather, or a ton of volume and the Sort's going down late...well, they'll wake you up at an appropriate time. Last freezing rain event I got shacked with in Memphis I hit a sleep room at 1130 and CRS called me about 7AM to send me out to the jet.
There are folks who fly nothing but Days.
But there are more opportunities to get paid to commute with a DH for night hub turns.
Lot less flying.
A 75 guy who's working hard at FedEx will probably have 30-45 landings in the look back.
Or, if you move to Memphis you might be able to score a lot of CH's and have a landing lookback in the 5-12 range. I once flew with an Airbus Capt who sat nothing but B reserve and his look back was a whopping 2 landings. (yes, I asked, and yes, I told him to just take both legs)
Only know one guy who left FedEx for UAL, and that was because he couldn't hang with the Nights.
Nights are way different at FedEx now as compared to back then. Now, we have a lot more sleep rooms as well as a wakeup call program. So, if you have an 0200 show, FDX will take the responsibility of waking you up appropriately versus you setting an alarm for 0150 (or as your heart desires). And if there's weather, or a ton of volume and the Sort's going down late...well, they'll wake you up at an appropriate time. Last freezing rain event I got shacked with in Memphis I hit a sleep room at 1130 and CRS called me about 7AM to send me out to the jet.
There are folks who fly nothing but Days.
But there are more opportunities to get paid to commute with a DH for night hub turns.
Lot less flying.
A 75 guy who's working hard at FedEx will probably have 30-45 landings in the look back.
Or, if you move to Memphis you might be able to score a lot of CH's and have a landing lookback in the 5-12 range. I once flew with an Airbus Capt who sat nothing but B reserve and his look back was a whopping 2 landings. (yes, I asked, and yes, I told him to just take both legs)
05-11-2019, 01:31 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Posts: 133
Originally Posted by Packrat
Amen, Brother. Flying cargo is hands down better than "self-loading freight." Once you get used to working out of a cargo base you'll find you HATE even going into a passenger terminal much less doing it five times a day.
95% of you problems as a passenger airline pilot are due either to passenger or F/A drama. Cargo is the way to go, especially with a first rate company like FedEx or UPS.
95% of you problems as a passenger airline pilot are due either to passenger or F/A drama. Cargo is the way to go, especially with a first rate company like FedEx or UPS.
05-11-2019, 01:32 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2005
Position: 757 Capt
Posts: 2,418
Originally Posted by Hank Burley
This is exactly how I feel. As a military guy I rarely fly passengers and absolutely dread having to fly commercial when I have to. Although, if I am lucky enough to get an interview at Fedex can I actually say that this is one of the main reasons why I want to fly for Fedex?
And, it's always FedEx Smooth when they ask for a ride report
05-11-2019, 02:51 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,099
Originally Posted by kronan
There are a lot of different niches. Domestic, Canada\Mexico\Northern Cone coming back (reportedly). 777 with long legs and big bucks for the block override. RFO trips DH'ing all over the world with the flight attendants pouring a bottomless glass.
Only know one guy who left FedEx for UAL, and that was because he couldn't hang with the Nights.
Nights are way different at FedEx now as compared to back then. Now, we have a lot more sleep rooms as well as a wakeup call program. So, if you have an 0200 show, FDX will take the responsibility of waking you up appropriately versus you setting an alarm for 0150 (or as your heart desires). And if there's weather, or a ton of volume and the Sort's going down late...well, they'll wake you up at an appropriate time. Last freezing rain event I got shacked with in Memphis I hit a sleep room at 1130 and CRS called me about 7AM to send me out to the jet.
There are folks who fly nothing but Days.
But there are more opportunities to get paid to commute with a DH for night hub turns.
Lot less flying.
A 75 guy who's working hard at FedEx will probably have 30-45 landings in the look back.
Or, if you move to Memphis you might be able to score a lot of CH's and have a landing lookback in the 5-12 range. I once flew with an Airbus Capt who sat nothing but B reserve and his look back was a whopping 2 landings. (yes, I asked, and yes, I told him to just take both legs)
Only know one guy who left FedEx for UAL, and that was because he couldn't hang with the Nights.
Nights are way different at FedEx now as compared to back then. Now, we have a lot more sleep rooms as well as a wakeup call program. So, if you have an 0200 show, FDX will take the responsibility of waking you up appropriately versus you setting an alarm for 0150 (or as your heart desires). And if there's weather, or a ton of volume and the Sort's going down late...well, they'll wake you up at an appropriate time. Last freezing rain event I got shacked with in Memphis I hit a sleep room at 1130 and CRS called me about 7AM to send me out to the jet.
There are folks who fly nothing but Days.
But there are more opportunities to get paid to commute with a DH for night hub turns.
Lot less flying.
A 75 guy who's working hard at FedEx will probably have 30-45 landings in the look back.
Or, if you move to Memphis you might be able to score a lot of CH's and have a landing lookback in the 5-12 range. I once flew with an Airbus Capt who sat nothing but B reserve and his look back was a whopping 2 landings. (yes, I asked, and yes, I told him to just take both legs)
What is a look back?
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