SW FO considering FDX
05-27-2019, 05:21 AM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,030
Originally Posted by Tao of Funk
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!
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!
05-27-2019, 05:26 AM
#42
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2016
Position: B767 FO
Posts: 195
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.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
05-27-2019, 07:58 AM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,030
Originally Posted by NewOldGuy
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.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
05-28-2019, 07:26 PM
#44
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,621
Originally Posted by Ihateusernames
Do you really think anyone would admit they made a mistake by leaving?
There are pros and cons to every airline job.
FDX fits me better but not everything is rosy here.
07-28-2019, 08:15 PM
#45
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2017
Position: 737 FO
Posts: 947
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 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.
07-29-2019, 05:33 AM
#46
On Reserve
Joined APC: Oct 2018
Position: 737 FO
Posts: 23
Originally Posted by Zard
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 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.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
07-29-2019, 03:44 PM
#47
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2019
Position: FO
Posts: 108
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 
07-29-2019, 08:20 PM
#48
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,219
Originally Posted by Zard
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 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.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
