Path to FedEx
 

Hi everyone. I know there’s no quick way to get there, but I’m looking for some advice on what would be the best route to take to get to FedEx. I currently have a little over 1,000 hours total time and hold a commercial single/multi certificate with instrument as well as CFI-A, CFII, and I’m working on MEI and CFI-G. I’m currently weighing my options for a flying career and after talking with a friend of mine who has been a captain for FedEx for years, I’d like to fly for them as well. So I’m wanting to put together a plan to take the proper steps to get there so I don’t make a mistake and add an additional five or ten years to the process. The industry probably won’t be back to where it was in December, but for planning purposes let’s say the virus is gone by the time I start this process and the industry has mostly recovered. So, I’ve been debating between a few different options.

The first one was to get to 1,200 hours total time and apply for a captain position for a 135 or somewhere like Ameriflight or Freight Runners in a twin turbine aircraft like the BE99s. That way I’m getting twin turbine PIC time right away. Thoughts on this? Is there one company better to fly for that would get me in the door at FedEx sooner?

Another option would be to do the regional airline route once I get 1,500 hours. My only concern with that is the time lost as an FO before I could upgrade to captain and really begin logging the PIC time frequently. But I would get 121 experience by doing this.

Another option could be to fly for one of the FedEx feeders like Mountain Air or Empire and get involved in the Purple Runway program. Start in the C208 as a captain (or the SkyCourier if it’s up by then) and then transition to an FO on the ATR. Then onto a captain on the ATR. That will give me both twin turbine PIC and 121 experience, but I’d be in the same boat as above waiting for the upgrade from FO to CA unless the SkyCourier is operational by then and they allow the PIC time in it to count toward the program’s times.

Another option could be a mixture of the first two above where I fly for a 135 for a while until I get the time there, then transition to a regional as an FO and maybe upgrade to captain depending on timing, then off to FedEx.

If anyone has any other suggestions, please feel free to mention them.

I know today isn’t the time to try to get hired anywhere due to the virus and the impact on the industry. I’m still six months to a year away from making a decision on which route to take, maybe even two years due to the impact of Covid-19. So let's hope the industry has recovered mostly from this by then.

Thank you all so much for your help. I greatly appreciate it.

Do you have a four year degree?

If you’re not going to fly in the military the fastest way to any major airline job that I have seen is via the regionals or corporate, flying something like a GV. Good luck to you.

Yes, I do.

Path to FedEx
 

Tough decision. I came from a regional airline along with a good portion of the folks in my new hire class. Now with hiring slim to none all across the industry, there will be stagnation and a huge pool of highly qualified applicants that are racking up precious TPIC time. I suspect other job duties within these regional airlines or other outfits will be harder to come by. Opportunity to become Chief Pilot, LCA, Training, Safety and etc will become scarce since it will not be a revolving door position. Typically, if you had a LCA you were off to a major within 6 months to a year.



I think the company will become even more selective on who they interview because of the high amount of applicants. My belief is that it will be harder to stand out if you take the regional route. I would consider looking at the Purple Runway Program if FedEx is your #1 and you want to get here as fast as possible. I don't have the details but it seems to get your foot right in the door with a guaranteed interview.

Air National Guard if it’s an option. Especially in today’s uncertain environment.

You got a pretty good handle on the options and ways to get from where you are to Fedex, or any large air carrier. The unknown, as alluded to by a previous post, is how long, based on current conditions. I would suggest getting the 1000 TPIC at a cargo hauler than move to a 121 regional and try to get the training or LCA jobs that seem so coveted by airlines. As things are likely to be static for an unknown period, think hard about what and were you are willing to sit while waiting for things to get better. In the resent past, one could assume they would move up and out in a reasonably short period of time. Pay, work conditions, domicile and other factors that might not line up well with your wishes could be glossed over as you looked to a not to distant future and what you really want.

Gotta crawl before you walk and walk before you run. There's an experience element to being a First Officer. The key is to find where that time can be reasonable and not excessive before upgrading to get that TPIC. There's no telling which regional will be preferred when all of the COVID dust settles, but try to find one with the potential for growth in future aircraft deliveries and attrition through some type of flow or preferential interview process (neither of these will matter when their partnered airline has pilots furloughed). Good Luck!

I would recommend that you apply with Empire or MAC and enroll in the Purple Runway Program. It is going to be the most efficient way to get to FedEx from where you currently are.

Agreed. Purple Runway may be your best bet. The regionals will be stagnant for some time. There is also a good chance the 135/91 gigs will be soaked up by possible furloughed pilots. It looks like TPIC, and a higher company position will once again be a catalyst in getting the call moving forward.