FedEx v swa
 

A guy I work with is year 3 at swa. He had an interview at FedEx. With cjo. He can’t decide to stay or go. He is looking for data points.
do you think the upgrades are going to stay at FedEx at 36months
He is looking at pay v days off. Not sure if he can get WB in Indoc. he does not live in base at either. But a short drive to ind.
Is the 880 they are hiring this year for growth or for retirements
thoughts

He should stay at swa, because I have several friends trying to get on at the moment;). Captain upgrades fluctuate, nobody has the crystal ball to say if it will continue. Days on depend on the fleet he gets awarded and their respective seniority progression: WB probably on reserve longer than NB(757 quicker seniority). If it helps, I was just able to start holding lines in 75 within a year and a half. Once he gets Indy based it won't matter. Retirements are a bit over 200 a year if I recall, peaking at 250 in a couple years (someone else will have hard numbers).

If he is coming here for a three-year upgrade to 757 captain as a commuter, then he really doesn’t understand the situation. Probably best for him to stay where he is.

I think the gist of the previous two posts is that a guy, with a good job, looking to weigh a jump to another when many are hanging on at their current employer or on the outside, has bad optics. Everyone has a right to seek out what is best for them. Not everyone is lucky enough to be sitting on one good job, many would kill to have, and trying to decide about moving. Especially so when so many are worried about thier own jobs or the future opportunities in this industry.

To the point of the OP, things are good, at the moment here at Fedex, tomorrow, who knows? The real question is whether he is willing to do hub turns at night for a meaningful portion of his career. This is different, yes you can compare days off vs upgrade times, vs pay per day/hour/year, but the cultural differences are the real question the prospective new hire should be seeking answers. Anyone jumping to Fedex will do okay, certainly relative to a successful carrier like SWA. Its the different in mission and how its one relate to that vs their current situation, that's the biggest question anyone should be asking.

—WB and NB are within a few bucks an hour for year 1. Can always bid to a WB with no seat lock if initially assigned NB.
—Holding a line and working one extra trip a month on NB will even out pay with sitting reserve on a WB. Works out to roughly the same amount of days worked each month also.
—Upgrades....crystal ball time.
—Hiring for both expansion and retirements.

FedEx v swa
 

*867 new hires needed in 18-20 months starting a few months ago
*232 hired in 2020
*512 new hires in 2021
*165 age 65 retirements in 2021

Hiring is for growth and retirements.

If I was him I would leave ASAP. I was previously at another legacy. Money vs days worked is no comparison with any reasonable seniority. Even at WB FO pay you can make some real money. I know many breaking 300k easy on 2-3 year FO pay. Look at what amount of your career you will be on WB pay rates at FDX. I think its reasonable to assume a less than 5 year upgrade if he wants it. With 3 years a SW I'm assuming he is much longer than that to a left seat there.

Leave and never look back. He wont regret it.

^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^
Not a FedEx guy here, just a fellow FreightDawg weighing in on how important the culture / job descriptions are when comparing PAX vs CARGO (and there are variances/sub categories within these). Need a job, something to pay the bills got it - if not, the reality of evening launches, sorts, morning returns over and over and over again does not appeal to many but does do well more than just pay the bills, college, houses, etc. Recovery is always an issue especially for home life. Granted for those swing/graveyard shift type mentality it’s probably right up their alley. While not part of FedEx or UPS, our outfit supports their efforts during peak. Having done a few of their less brutal runs (actually very nice, maybe they go senior? HNL, ONT, CGN, etc.) I’m guessing the actual Hub Turns would be torment, but once acclimated pretty much on cruise control. UPS was a bit more tiring; therefore, I remain long haul versus bidding to our 76 ops. Long haul flying isn’t for everyone, but it’s spectacular for myself. Day or Night, Day and Night back to Day or vice versa it’s a living and even better only working half the time. Sleep, eat, read or work on your other business venture, etc doesn’t really matter since your being paid. We have plenty variety besides boxes such as NFL, Military, etc. so it’s not cookie cutter by any means and we are less efficient which grants us some time off in some superb locations and not so good sometimes.. Our main gripe is overall compensation so anyone with FedEx or SWA opportunities has a very nice future ahead retirement wise. With a few more clams and perks nothing would be better, but I have the winning lottery ticket right. Enjoying the view and seniority. Consecutive 3, 4, 5 legs a day - not my glass of Jack. Find your Happy Place.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

Define upgrades. Upgrades to WBs? Yes, if he gets into a class soon and has to take a 757FO.

I don't think you're going to find more pay for days off then FedEx, maybe UPS.

If and when he gets to IND, the IND flying isn't great, no day sorts. It will improve slightly with the Paris trips -- assuming he likes flying long flights without that much block override if any.

The 880 is for both retirements and growth. About 150-190 a year in retirements.

I came from a legacy. I could not in any way imagine flying for SWA. Not to put them down, but I wouldn't fit into the corporate culture -- being referred to as Southwest Warriors, constantly being told we're the best! along with the cheerleads and then having to listen to the flight attendants and their stupid games. Then there's the go go go go go mantra at Southwest and doing multiple legs a day all for sub par par. No way. Not for me.

Bottom Line for myself: Anyone who tells me it makes the day go fast in any career field, Is Working!!!!! Seems to be a lot of that at many outfits. Yup, I B kinda Lazy and enjoying it.