Actually, I worked for two regional airlines. Then a major big 3 pax airline.

Who would ever compare FDX to a regional? I sure wasn’t.

I think once you've made it close to 2nd year pay like you are you'd be crazy to leave. It'll cost you $100k to make a move like that... Maybe more. The legacies have hired a ton of young people and you'll be junior to them. You'll be on narrow body pay for several years AFTER clearing 1st year pay.

Yeah... I get it... We had a bad year, BUT there are reasons for it. Namely a Trade War with China that won't last forever. Despite that we're profitable. If an economic downturn does hit because of the Trade War (or whatever) you'd be furloughed at a legacy for sure.

As for making your life better at FedEx, moving to Memphis is an option and if not then yes your life would get better with Seniority.

I DO consider being an airline pilot at a Regional being a “peer”. You are being a condescending jerk with a comment like this one. Arrgghhh!!!!!
Do you really believe you are a better pilot just because you operate an airplane at a Legacy carrier? If you do, you are an arrogant jerk.
Just in case you don’t realize it, we are all held to the same standards Pal.

Have a great Sunday.

I think you’re missing the point. Nobody is being condescending towards regional guys. I was one myself. We’re just comparing being junior here vs. another big 3-4 pax airline. That’s all. No need to flip out.

I say jump ship. There are 200 guys/gals doing laps in the pool that would love to have your problems. Be kind. Don’t let em drown out there. ;)

I have a degree, clean history, heavy, international PIC experience, recommendations, management and training experience, etc. FedEx turned me down. For better or worse that was their call to make. Them's the breaks. I say this so you know that my response will most likely NOT affect my chances with FedEx.

If you're thinking about walking away from your job, by all means get the heck out of FedEx. Mistakes happen, and you're in the wrong position. Although FedEx certainly has dirty laundry, you're leaving the happiest pilot group in aviation. So be prepared to find the same malaise at your next job. Do your research next time and be honest with yourself about who you are. Perhaps aviation isn't for you?

Regionals are peers, but that doesn't really matter. Someone will find a way to look down their nose at you no matter what, so try not to let this stuff get under your skin. You'll make it whatever legacy and then someone will find a way to say that they flew planes with pointier noses, higher takeoff weights, dirtier seats or cleaner haircuts. The only way to win this game is not to play. Also, I don't think the guys were snubbing you or regionals, but that doesn't really matter either.

frddrvr:

I left a national pax airline with almost two years of seniority to come here. In general there are a few good reasons and they have so far been proven to be sound.

1: block vs. paid hours is unmatched against any passenger operation (unless you live on rsv) I blocked 900 hours in a year, that’s too much when your average stage length is 2:32.
2: wide body pay/pay in general. We only operate about 100 airplanes that don’t pay wide body rates. Ask your UAL/DAL/AA friends, how many are getting wide body assignments on their first day, within a year?
2a: Options. You can fly what you want to fly. Domestic line, international single departure, hub turns, days, reserve. Pick something that fits your lifestyle. Hint, that’s going to change eventually. The last thing I wanted was to be stuck somewhere after 20 years flying the same old plane/route/system I’ve been on and nowhere to go. At FX I have variety.
3: FLEXIBLE: this would have been number one if I realized how much I needed it and appreciate it now that I’m settling in. I can recycle my whole schedule if I’m willing to put in the work in OT. Or I can take most of the month off. Either way, it’s my decision.
4. The vacation system. It’s unmatched in our industry. The same 2 weeks of vacation I got at my last company was worth 1/2 as much and couldn’t expand/shrink or slide.
5: no passengers.
6: DH commuting. I’m west coast, so having some commuting architecture to ease the pain was paramount. This was more of a requirement for me, but I’ve seen how much of a benefit it is since having a chance to live it.

I encourage you to do what you want, but if you’re willing to leave because some know-it-all writer decided they want to further their earnings (shorts on FDX) by writing an inflammatory article meant to target FDX and captivate thirsty investors with pro-amazon garbage, that just means your skin is too thin.

Trust me and others on this thread when we say the grass is grass is not always greener. Prepare to lose earnings, days of your life, patience, and flexibility in exchange for a double-breasted coat and hat. And have fun working every holiday, having no time off in the summer, and flying 3 times more block for your money.

Now, there are benifits to working at a pax carrier. Non rev for you and your family is notably the best. But let me tell you about that too. Load factors on average are 85%. There often aren’t enough seats on a plane to plan any kind of family trip and if you do, you’re at the mercy of one cancelled flight (even at another airline) that can ruin your whole plan. Buyer beware. Compare apples to apples.

And if you’re on the 757, the 777 and 767 training from 19-01 will pull about 15-20 per month for the next few months. Your stock is going up, even if there are no new bodies in our seat, the people above you are moving up.

Having done it before, I only ask that you seriously evaluate your decision before turning in your safety Vest.

I’m starting to think automation and reduction of pilots in the flight deck will occur much more rapidly at the pax carriers. The driving force behind automation is to reduce the required number of pilots in order to reduce costs. If you look at the big 2 air freight haulers here domestically (US), between FedEx and UPS there are about 8000 pilots. Take a look at the Legacy carriers. Roughly 45,000 pilot positions spread about between just the big 3. Those are a lot of cost units that can be quickly eliminated to drive down labor costs (they represent a much larger percentage and chunk of labor costs relative to air freight haulers). If and when the technology is here to safely eliminate one or both pilots, I suspect it will take hold more aggressively on the pax side of the house. See the recent automated takeoff performed by Airbus? What kind of plane was that?

Regional pilots are not my peers for regards to career progression and contract improvements. That's what I mean by peers. Sorry for the confusion.


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