The Church of Fred
 

As negotiations drag on and our pilot group continues to absorb hit after hit—outsourcing, reduced pay, operational instability, fatigue—it’s worth stepping back and asking how we got here.

There’s no denying that Fred Smith built something impressive in the early days of FedEx. For many of our more senior pilots, there’s a deep emotional connection to that story—a sense of loyalty to the founder, and even a bit of mythology around what FedEx once represented. The “Church of Fred” has strong roots, and there’s nothing wrong with taking pride in where we came from.

But the culture Fred created—and the leadership team he personally left behind—have evolved into something that often works directly against the interests of pilots. The romanticized version of FedEx, where loyalty was mutual, careers were secure, and “Fred will take care of us”, no longer reflects our lived reality.

We’re flying less, earning less, and being used as a flexible labor pool to patch operational holes. Meanwhile, some still shed purple tears for a legacy that hasn’t protected us from any of this.

This isn’t about disrespect—it’s about clarity. We can honor the past without letting nostalgia blind us to the present. It’s been four years without a contract. The only legacy that matters now is the one we fight to create: a fair agreement based on industry standards that reflects the value we bring to this company—today.

Well said, it’s about time some people wake up.

Indeed. 50% of the crew force hired since 2015. And you managed to **** off every single one of them. Think we don't need to worry so much about scope? CGN base? How about FedEx Ground? You know, that whole line of the business that is entirely outsourced? The one they are integrating with the Express operation? No scope = no job.

How much of Network Two Dot Oh Shiitake was Fred’s dream, or now that he’s gone can RS finally execute plans 6-9 of it?

Thanks for having the courage to write that. Very well written. Thank you.

So how long till RS and JD and their merry band of advisors dismantle Fred’s legacy brick by brick? Does Dick even care?

I get the sentiment but probably a bit hyperbolic, right? With all due respect, as great of a man as FS was, one thing he has never really been is friendly to labor, particularly during bargaining. He and TW were threatening to shut down the entire airline in the late 90's in an effort to quash heated negotiations with the FPA. Just one example of many illustrious clashes had over the years. Anyway, I could be wrong but what's going on now seems to be pretty much SOP for management when the labor group is not completely docile to whatever negotiating narrative C suite is selling.

Oh I don’t think he was the lifeblood of this place, and as the red letter showed, he was not our friend.

Labor aside, I’m wondering what they’ll dismantle that wouldn't have happened if he was still alive. Stay tuned for the next chapter in their little playbook.

[QUOTE=SpoilerAlert;3924600]So how long till RS and JD and their merry band of advisors dismantle Fred’s legacy brick by brick? Does Dick even care?

JD grew Atlas, opposite of dismantling. The sky’s falling chicken little.

[QUOTE=max8222;3924619]JD was the Anti-Christ to pilots at At-less. Sued Teamsters at every chance he could.

He grew that airline by buying two crummy airlines and playing them against each other and forcing them into amalgamation. So yeah they grew, but no place for pilots to hang their hat.

About as good for pilot careers as Lorenzo was.