Hey MD11 FR8Dog,
Thanks for the rundown of paying your dues to get on with FedEx from a couple pages back on this thread. I am trying to do the same so I can have a better chance of getting hired from within. How hard was it to get a part time gig as a Handler at FedEx Express. I am currently a 121 captain on reserve and I am willing to put in some night shifts throwing some boxes and paying my dues. The main problem is that I am not sure if they would hire me with my unpredictible reserve schedule. Any thoughts or Suggestions?

I am a former handler and was trying this same internal route, but in my case, since I was laid off, the part-time handler job was the only job I had. So it basically wasn't enough to pay the bills for me, and I had to leave for a full-time flying job.

In your case, it would be difficult to hold a handler job and keep flying as a 121 captain on reserve. My handler job was Mon-Fri early evenings and averaged about 15-20 hrs a week. There is no flexibility with the schedule. You have to be there for it, no if's ands or buts about it. Of course, you get the usual vacation and personal time off. But if your airline called you in while you're throwing boxes, you can't just up and leave. If you do, you won't get any pretty recommendation from your manager there, which I am sure would hurt your chances later on if you apply internally. You have to keep a good record as a handler to be able to get the blessing to move on.

Now there used to be some weekend-only handler jobs, but not so sure now. If you are senior enough to hold weekends off, then you can try for a weekend-only handler job.

Good luck with it!

I think HKG has a ways to go, but CGN should be pretty close to being filled.
A few guys in the pool from early May still. :eek:

Hey Folks,

I have read in precedent posts about FedEx preferring that your education be completed in a certain amount of time (i.e. A Bachelor degree being completed in no more then 5 years). In my case, I was only able to afford an A.A.S. degree, and am currently in the process of completing my Bachelor degree online (5 years later). Will this disqualify me completely from being considered for employment?

Laxrox43

It shouldn't. I did two years of college right after high school and then took a hiatus to start flying. 10 years later I finished by taking online courses. It's not the best approach by any means and I would not recommend doing it that way to anyone but it was the only way I could get the degree done after I started flying professionally.

I believe the 5 yr statement may refer to the total time in semesters enrolled to complete the degree as opposed to the calendar years of enrollment. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

Completely???

No, Dr H. was pretty clear that his screening formula/model does NOT have any "binary" yes/no discriminators that will automatically eliminate anyone.

Your on-line application generates a "score" and all the candidates are "racked and stacked". Those who's "score" is above a certain # are reviewed by a PASS Board (...made up of Asst Chief Pilots) who look at both the "score", letters of recommendation from the sponsor & other pilots, and the current needs of the company (...heavy international experience, , 757 experience, etc) and then they select a group of candidates who are invited in to test, and possibly, interview.

Dr. H. WAS pretty specific that "on-line" degrees will not give you the same amount of points as a more traditional institution would give you within his multiple regression model.

It's just like the 2.5GPA criteria in his model ---- a sub 2.5GPA is not a complete show stopper, but makes a candidate less competitive up front during the "rack and stack" and PASS Board process.

Once your called in to test & interview, I don't think your "score" matters anymore --- it's your performance on the tests, sim and interviews.

What guys need to realize is that FEDEX has 4,000 current/updated applications on file and is only looking at hiring another 390 guys over the next 18-21 months.

They can be very, very selective at this point and only a small fraction of the guys with current applications are being called.... but of course, the game will probably change a bit in 2013 as hiring increases industry wide.

Good luck to all!

Laxrox,

I would guess that if you make it past the initial (computer?) screening that your continued education while working full time "might" show motivation and initiative. :)

YMMV ... Mark

For me, I was fresh out of the Navy and had reserve flying job, so that made it a bit easier. I had a friendly manager that knew he was gonna get some one that would bust their butt. I offered to work any schedule any amount of hours for any pay. I never said no to anything they asked, except when I had reserve duty, which I used to my advantage. I couldn't live on 7.85/hr 17-35hrs/wk, so I got military orders cut every opportunity (over 2/3 of my pay in '95 was mil).

Unpredictable does not work to your advantage, but might be worth talking to the local ramp/station manager and discussing options.

As far as how hard was it to get the job? Took a little while, but I was persistent. Initially, I was told I had to be listed with the Virginia Employment Commission, and they hire from that pool. Naively I thought I would get a call that way from some one. It didn't take long to realize I had to be proactive. I eventually got the number to the ramp and made an appointment with ramp manager. I walked in wearing nice pants, button down and a tie and sold him on the idea of hiring me and what my plan was. I month or so later I was throwing boxes. And 18 months later I was finlly in Basic Indoc.

I was initially hired as a "casual" part timer - receiving no longevity. 3 months later I was made "permanent" part time and my one yr clock stared. A yr later I applied, interviewed 6-7 wks after that and then 3 more weeks to a class date. I was eligible at the beginning of Peak '95 and there was no hiring for a couple months.

Good luck and keep us posted. Hit me up via PM if you have more Qs.

I was recently hired and I earned my 4 year degree via correspondence in greater than 5 years. It was in General Studies to boot. :D

Recent LCA meetings rumored to indicate the new standard for pilot applicants (according to PH.D "Dr. Delta" hiring process man), is that internals no longer given priority -- whether Pro, or Corp pilot, or box thrower. All must apply and be selected through this new process. No more guaranteed interviews for internals. Any validity to this?