5 MD11 MEM
5 A300 MEM
8 727 MEM
3 727 MEM

Todays choices.....................they were interviewing Sep/Oct guys today....

 

What would be the benefit of one aircraft over another if I am fortunate enough to find myself faced with that choice? I basically understand the WB/NB/SO pay scale aspect, but what are the other factors to consider? Maybe trip length or legs per night, or maybe how long until you could hold a commutable line?

I apologize if this is an ignorant question. I am but a poor A-10 guy, so please speak slooowly and don't use more than two colors in your answer.

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that means that each of us have our own definition of what the perfect or most desirable jet is. As an example, some guys love day flying, while others enjoy the peace and quiet of prowling the skies at night. Some like long-haul while others don't want to see anything west of the Mississippi river. Some like the ease of use of Airbuses, while others enjoy the systems of Boeing products. Some like week-on/week-off flying, while others prefer two or three day trips, or individual out-and-backs, which would allow one to sleep in his or her own bed, each night. And then there's the living in base vs. the commuting aspect of the different jets... Some lend themselves to commuters, while some don't. Same goes for domestic bases. It goes on and on.

The key to a great airline career (imho), if there is such a thing (the career, not my humbleness), is to become as senior as you can, in the shortest period of time possible. Then decide on whether you're a quality-of-life kind of guy, or you're a money-at-all-costs guy. That one decision will lead you into the "perfect jet" for you. At least for the moment, because this business is always in a state of flux, and that coupled with many pilots' normal, "the grass is always greener" attitude, will at some point, point you in a different direction and jet. It's rare that someone will stay in the same jet for an entire career, except of course if you're employed by a company, like SWA, who really don't offer you a choice in aircraft types.

As for your question being ignorant, we wouldn't have assumed anything else, coming from an A-10 guy.

JJ

 

Apart from what you mentioned about trip logistics, amount of time on RSV could be a factor if initially awarded a WB. It was said today that MEM widebody was somewhat of a rarity for new hires which may translate into a bit more time spent on RSV.

 

A lot will depend on whether or not you live in Mem. Being junior does not hurt as much if you are sitting reserve in your own bedroom.

 

Its the first time in FDX history to offer newbies MD11 MEM slots.....

 

easy way to look at it

1st year pays is not that much different.

NB will get you off reserve the quickest- better qol. pick of skeds, but it will either be domstic backside of clock or limited domestic day. Generally mon-fri, there are some weekend trips but not as many as on wb. Generally, NB doesn't work over the holidays if you can hold a decent line. You'll actually fly the jet every other leg or so (unless you get the panel)

WB- you'll be on reserve for a several years. guys hired in 2006 still pull R day duties in mem. Don't plan on being home for t'giving, xmas, new years, 4th, mem day etc consistently for a long time. You might get a few of those, but you won't have the ability to control which ones you get. If you don't live in mem, and are not in res/guard, this could be miserable based on your tolerance for commuting & how much your family can tolerate you being gone ( >55% of every month (15 days in 28 day month & maybe lose a day in a commute)). Over the past 6 years the ability to drop R days while on reserve in the WB has been extremely limited to non-existant.

If you live in base, reserve is not as bad. As you're home except when flying. you'll likely work over some holidays, and get abused in peak, but at least you'll be home more than a WB commuter. But it is mem.

In all likelihood you may not have a choice, as it goes by SSN for picking the available seats.

biggest decision should be
1) Live in mem or commute?
2) in guard/reserve? (rec living at guard/res location or in fdx base -commuting to both is hard)
3) Is sked flexibility -holidays, weekends off important in this phase of your life?- if so NB may be a better choice. you'll attain seniority quicker= control of sked -better line or at least off reserve)
4) if its all about the $$, and you could care less when you work or how long you're away from home WB

my 2 cents

 

Now thats funny...coming from a tanker guy.

Exciting times to be at FedEx. For the guys getting called to interview - is the time from test to interview normal or has it been a long time for the next phase due to peak?

 

So would they be called "barbequed nuggets"?
fbh

 

I bid the back seat of the 10 out of new hire and 11 at 100 % the first MOAB the summer of my new hire year. I moved here out of training. I can hold most r lines and like the midish vto on 7 yrs seniority. If you move to Memphis, I'd say you get a 10 -15% seniority bump, based on biding lines commuters won't touch, like am o&b, reserve, shotgun,. If you commute, stay in the narrow bodies, you get much more seniority in a shorter period of time.