FedEx Hiring
12-14-2015 | 09:17 PM
#1261
Aviator Extraordinaire
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Freight Dawg
It is interesting to me when I speak to a room full of wannabes and ask "who has FedEx as their first choice?" how many hands I see. The answer the last couple years has been "none" or "not very many".
Our last contract plus the lack of a new contract at Delta has swayed a few folks back towards us, and there are always some folks who really want to work at our company for a host of reasons--location, family ties to the company, or an almost paralyzing fear of being furloughed at some point if they go to a pax carrier.
That said, I know what the IDEAL is with our hiring matrix, which is more or less what Delta is using. The thing is many of the guys who are most attracted to FedEx don't fit that template. What I have seen is we've hired some real rock stars, but there are also some guys here now HIRED RECENTLY that would never have gotten hired at Delta (or at least I perceive they would have had a major challenge getting the call...)
I like it here. I am not trying to run down my own company. But it is amazing to me how quickly this place went from being "the place" to go to "a an option for the right person..." The growth and pay raises at the legacies has gotten the attention of a lot of pilots, and many are mitigating the furlough risk by staying in the reserves, putting momma back to work, or other options. One military recently went to Delta, even though he was a long time FedEx wannabe. FedEx finally called him after 3-4 months on the property, but he declined the interview. He's very happy there, and saw no reason to leave. Another regional pilot I know has a mom who worked at the company for years (not flight ops) and lived in North Mississippi. His whole life was geared towards one day working at FedEx. Two years ago he went to Delta, and he loves it...and is not coming back. FedEx doesn't really care if they miss a good pilot here or there, as long as they get enough good pilots to fill the classes and do the job. They aren't going shut down because they cannot get pilots, and the guys they get will likely do a solid job. But for the first time in over a dozen years, a solid pilot out there has a few options, and its starting to impact hiring.
United is interesting to me. Its been a financial disaster for decades. But something is going on over there, and the kool-aid they are drinking has a lot of new folks pretty happy. They have energy and optimism, both which have been in short supply for a long time. Growth and getting the base you want have a way of doing that. I have seen quite a few guys pass on Delta to go to UAL, usually for domicile reasons, but again....that's a trend I don't remember seeing since I've been coaching.
FedEx isn't scraping the bottom of the barrel yet, and there are pilots leaving other companies to come here. Its a great gig and they will always be able (IMHO) to fill classes. But not every guy in the class will be that ideal that has been discussed. If you want to work here--apply. Sponsors seem to help, but aren't required. Being typed in a plane we fly seems to help--tremendously--and may offset weaknesses in other areas. Being willing to go to an FDA seems to at least move you to the top of the stack.
Our last contract plus the lack of a new contract at Delta has swayed a few folks back towards us, and there are always some folks who really want to work at our company for a host of reasons--location, family ties to the company, or an almost paralyzing fear of being furloughed at some point if they go to a pax carrier.
That said, I know what the IDEAL is with our hiring matrix, which is more or less what Delta is using. The thing is many of the guys who are most attracted to FedEx don't fit that template. What I have seen is we've hired some real rock stars, but there are also some guys here now HIRED RECENTLY that would never have gotten hired at Delta (or at least I perceive they would have had a major challenge getting the call...)
I like it here. I am not trying to run down my own company. But it is amazing to me how quickly this place went from being "the place" to go to "a an option for the right person..." The growth and pay raises at the legacies has gotten the attention of a lot of pilots, and many are mitigating the furlough risk by staying in the reserves, putting momma back to work, or other options. One military recently went to Delta, even though he was a long time FedEx wannabe. FedEx finally called him after 3-4 months on the property, but he declined the interview. He's very happy there, and saw no reason to leave. Another regional pilot I know has a mom who worked at the company for years (not flight ops) and lived in North Mississippi. His whole life was geared towards one day working at FedEx. Two years ago he went to Delta, and he loves it...and is not coming back. FedEx doesn't really care if they miss a good pilot here or there, as long as they get enough good pilots to fill the classes and do the job. They aren't going shut down because they cannot get pilots, and the guys they get will likely do a solid job. But for the first time in over a dozen years, a solid pilot out there has a few options, and its starting to impact hiring.
United is interesting to me. Its been a financial disaster for decades. But something is going on over there, and the kool-aid they are drinking has a lot of new folks pretty happy. They have energy and optimism, both which have been in short supply for a long time. Growth and getting the base you want have a way of doing that. I have seen quite a few guys pass on Delta to go to UAL, usually for domicile reasons, but again....that's a trend I don't remember seeing since I've been coaching.
FedEx isn't scraping the bottom of the barrel yet, and there are pilots leaving other companies to come here. Its a great gig and they will always be able (IMHO) to fill classes. But not every guy in the class will be that ideal that has been discussed. If you want to work here--apply. Sponsors seem to help, but aren't required. Being typed in a plane we fly seems to help--tremendously--and may offset weaknesses in other areas. Being willing to go to an FDA seems to at least move you to the top of the stack.
And, as far as your example person that's over at Delta, I was in the same boat only with reversed roles. I had multiple letters of rec on file with Delta, ten or so more than any other airline I applied to. Several friends and family wrote recommendations for me to include my uncle who is retiring this year after flying for the company for 20 years and several reservists in my wing to include the reserve component wing commander. Conversely, I had no recommendations from FedEx and in fact didn't even know a soul at the company when I was surprised with the call to interview. I'd venture to say that I was in a similar scenario as your Delta acquaintance...I was very impressed with what I saw even though "I just knew" I was going to go with Delta, and now after being with the company for only a week, you couldn't get me to leave.
12-14-2015 | 10:03 PM
#1262
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,290
Likes: 111
I like it here. I am not trying to run down my own company. But it is amazing to me how quickly this place went from being "the place" to go to "a an option for the right person..." The growth and pay raises at the legacies has gotten the attention of a lot of pilots, and many are mitigating the furlough risk by staying in the reserves, putting momma back to work, or other options. One military recently went to Delta, even though he was a long time FedEx wannabe. FedEx finally called him after 3-4 months on the property, but he declined the interview. He's very happy there, and saw no reason to leave. Another regional pilot I know has a mom who worked at the company for years (not flight ops) and lived in North Mississippi. His whole life was geared towards one day working at FedEx. Two years ago he went to Delta, and he loves it...and is not coming back. FedEx doesn't really care if they miss a good pilot here or there, as long as they get enough good pilots to fill the classes and do the job. They aren't going shut down because they cannot get pilots, and the guys they get will likely do a solid job. But for the first time in over a dozen years, a solid pilot out there has a few options, and its starting to impact hiring.
....that's a trend I don't remember seeing since I've been coaching.
....that's a trend I don't remember seeing since I've been coaching.
Which IIRC was before you were coaching, was it not?
Also pre 9/11, the few outlier/data points of pilots leaving legacy A for B were more towards UAL, where now it's more towards DAL. For obvious reasons. But that post ESOP/"United Rising" stuff was it's own brand or kool aid in itself when UAL FINALLY got it's poop in a group. Contract 2000 made it that much more enticing.
12-15-2015 | 04:10 AM
#1264
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 0
There are many guys who took the opportunity to get on property by going to CGN, without the plans to ever move there. The commute can be a tough if commuting for more than 1 R-day blocks, and for the odd 3 day trip on a week on / week off line. But, for some who lived in or near MEM/EWR, there are many good on-company jumpseat options. We also had a few commuting captains, but less than FO's overall.
As with everything, commuting for someone senior is a very different experience than commuting would be for a newhire, including probation. But, there are completely responsible guys doing it, in position where/when they need to be, every single time. I did it for 6 months, by choice, just because I was going to miss some of the flying over there - compared to the MEM 757 bidpack, at my seniority. I mostly commuted off-line (and always grateful to the AA, DL, and UA crews who allowed me to get a ride all those many times). It worked out to leaving home on Saturday or Sunday morning (depending on deviation bank and whether traveling on purchased tickets) being home by Friday night, for a 8-9 days off, as a 40% line holder. The hub turn lines I had avoided while living over there, actually were easy on a west coast body clock. I felt the best I'd ever felt with most of the night flying in EUR, with the commute.
Anyway, not advertising it as something easy, and without multiple challenges, specially for commuting multiple times/month without deviation bank - but it can be done.
As with everything, commuting for someone senior is a very different experience than commuting would be for a newhire, including probation. But, there are completely responsible guys doing it, in position where/when they need to be, every single time. I did it for 6 months, by choice, just because I was going to miss some of the flying over there - compared to the MEM 757 bidpack, at my seniority. I mostly commuted off-line (and always grateful to the AA, DL, and UA crews who allowed me to get a ride all those many times). It worked out to leaving home on Saturday or Sunday morning (depending on deviation bank and whether traveling on purchased tickets) being home by Friday night, for a 8-9 days off, as a 40% line holder. The hub turn lines I had avoided while living over there, actually were easy on a west coast body clock. I felt the best I'd ever felt with most of the night flying in EUR, with the commute.
Anyway, not advertising it as something easy, and without multiple challenges, specially for commuting multiple times/month without deviation bank - but it can be done.
12-15-2015 | 01:06 PM
#1265
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: Retired from APC.
^^^^^
You can also J/S on the pax carriers if there are seats open in the cabin. You can J/S on some of the ACMI outfits too.
Hey Albie,
Just to offer a different perspective: I've been in this game since the mid 90's, and did the regionals for well over a decade. Besides a select few, FedEx was never a popular destination amongst my peers there, and I say that as one of those few (admitting Brown was on my radar too). Night flying seems to have been the biggest deterrent.
I'm a little suspicious of this ideal matrix popular at the majors these days. Seems like they are selecting best character profiles to support whatever scheme they are up to. Can't quite put my finger on it but something counterintuitive seems to be happening. But to plug your company, quality interview prep is key-ECIC got me at a major without being a matrix superstar. Good luck to everyone applying!!
You can also J/S on the pax carriers if there are seats open in the cabin. You can J/S on some of the ACMI outfits too.
It is interesting to me when I speak to a room full of wannabes and ask "who has FedEx as their first choice?" how many hands I see. The answer the last couple years has been "none" or "not very many".
.....
That said, I know what the IDEAL is with our hiring matrix, which is more or less what Delta is using. The thing is many of the guys who are most attracted to FedEx don't fit that template. What I have seen is we've hired some real rock stars, but there are also some guys here now HIRED RECENTLY that would never have gotten hired at Delta (or at least I perceive they would have had a major challenge getting the call...)
I like it here. I am not trying to run down my own company. But it is amazing to me how quickly this place went from being "the place" to go to "a an option for the right person..." ...... FedEx doesn't really care if they miss a good pilot here or there, as long as they get enough good pilots to fill the classes and do the job. They aren't going shut down because they cannot get pilots, and the guys they get will likely do a solid job. But for the first time in over a dozen years, a solid pilot out there has a few options, and its starting to impact hiring.
United is interesting to me. Its been a financial disaster for decades. But something is going on over there, and the kool-aid they are drinking has a lot of new folks pretty happy. They have energy and optimism, both which have been in short supply for a long time. Growth and getting the base you want have a way of doing that. I have seen quite a few guys pass on Delta to go to UAL, usually for domicile reasons, but again....that's a trend I don't remember seeing since I've been coaching.
FedEx isn't scraping the bottom of the barrel yet, and there are pilots leaving other companies to come here. Its a great gig and they will always be able (IMHO) to fill classes. But not every guy in the class will be that ideal that has been discussed. If you want to work here--apply. Sponsors seem to help, but aren't required. Being typed in a plane we fly seems to help--tremendously--and may offset weaknesses in other areas. Being willing to go to an FDA seems to at least move you to the top of the stack.
.....
That said, I know what the IDEAL is with our hiring matrix, which is more or less what Delta is using. The thing is many of the guys who are most attracted to FedEx don't fit that template. What I have seen is we've hired some real rock stars, but there are also some guys here now HIRED RECENTLY that would never have gotten hired at Delta (or at least I perceive they would have had a major challenge getting the call...)
I like it here. I am not trying to run down my own company. But it is amazing to me how quickly this place went from being "the place" to go to "a an option for the right person..." ...... FedEx doesn't really care if they miss a good pilot here or there, as long as they get enough good pilots to fill the classes and do the job. They aren't going shut down because they cannot get pilots, and the guys they get will likely do a solid job. But for the first time in over a dozen years, a solid pilot out there has a few options, and its starting to impact hiring.
United is interesting to me. Its been a financial disaster for decades. But something is going on over there, and the kool-aid they are drinking has a lot of new folks pretty happy. They have energy and optimism, both which have been in short supply for a long time. Growth and getting the base you want have a way of doing that. I have seen quite a few guys pass on Delta to go to UAL, usually for domicile reasons, but again....that's a trend I don't remember seeing since I've been coaching.
FedEx isn't scraping the bottom of the barrel yet, and there are pilots leaving other companies to come here. Its a great gig and they will always be able (IMHO) to fill classes. But not every guy in the class will be that ideal that has been discussed. If you want to work here--apply. Sponsors seem to help, but aren't required. Being typed in a plane we fly seems to help--tremendously--and may offset weaknesses in other areas. Being willing to go to an FDA seems to at least move you to the top of the stack.
Hey Albie,
Just to offer a different perspective: I've been in this game since the mid 90's, and did the regionals for well over a decade. Besides a select few, FedEx was never a popular destination amongst my peers there, and I say that as one of those few (admitting Brown was on my radar too). Night flying seems to have been the biggest deterrent.
I'm a little suspicious of this ideal matrix popular at the majors these days. Seems like they are selecting best character profiles to support whatever scheme they are up to. Can't quite put my finger on it but something counterintuitive seems to be happening. But to plug your company, quality interview prep is key-ECIC got me at a major without being a matrix superstar. Good luck to everyone applying!!
12-15-2015 | 03:40 PM
#1266
Night Shift
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Eating Lemon Tuna
FWIW I was called by United and Delta, went with purple. Individuals in class are a mix of mil and civ. To name a few that new hires left for purple..American, Delta, Alaskan, South West....etc.
Cheers
12-15-2015 | 04:01 PM
#1267
On Reserve
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
Hey, guys. I'm sure I'm retreading a topic that's been posted on many times before, but The environment is changing so rapidly these days, that I can never tell what is true, and what has changed, so please bear with me.
Anyway, what types of things does FedEx seem to like in its potential hires? I'm a mil AMC guy, over 2500 multi turbine PIC (with about 1k of that being instructor/evaluator time) getting ready to leave in a couple of years, but I want to do a full court press on this effort, so even if I don't get called, I'll know I gave it everything I had. I'm planning on finishing a master's, doing regular aviation-related volunteer work with kids, continue online networking, and attending 1-2 job fairs a year.
It's too early for interview consulting, but I plan to make the rounds within a year out and basically follow Albie's recommendations. I'm casting a wide net on my future airline apps, but I'm wondering if FedEx even likes these sorts of things. Also, I would be an enthusiastic HKG volunteer, if that counts for anything.
Anyway, what types of things does FedEx seem to like in its potential hires? I'm a mil AMC guy, over 2500 multi turbine PIC (with about 1k of that being instructor/evaluator time) getting ready to leave in a couple of years, but I want to do a full court press on this effort, so even if I don't get called, I'll know I gave it everything I had. I'm planning on finishing a master's, doing regular aviation-related volunteer work with kids, continue online networking, and attending 1-2 job fairs a year.
It's too early for interview consulting, but I plan to make the rounds within a year out and basically follow Albie's recommendations. I'm casting a wide net on my future airline apps, but I'm wondering if FedEx even likes these sorts of things. Also, I would be an enthusiastic HKG volunteer, if that counts for anything.
12-15-2015 | 04:31 PM
#1269
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,506
Likes: 0
From: 777 Captain in Training
Request that you define "future BMs" for the slow kid in the class. Would like to know where I stand before I even hit the line.
FWIW I was called by United and Delta, went with purple. Individuals in class are a mix of mil and civ. To name a few that new hires left for purple..American, Delta, Alaskan, South West....etc.
Cheers
FWIW I was called by United and Delta, went with purple. Individuals in class are a mix of mil and civ. To name a few that new hires left for purple..American, Delta, Alaskan, South West....etc.
Cheers
12-15-2015 | 07:26 PM
#1270
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,203
Likes: 0
From: Gear Monkey
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