Ahhh, thanks. I get it now. :D

I heard of several F/Os who immersed their kids into the local German school (which is usually, not always, way better than the US counterpart). They then took the $5,000 education stipend and used it for private German language lessons after school each and every day. Within two months the kids were fluent enough to fit right in.

Don't lie.
 

That's right, the anonymous "FedEx" guy is telling you to lie on your application...genius.

Moving to a FDA should be a good deal. Having to fill open slots with New-Hires should be your first clue.

My professional advice is do not mislead KD or the HR department at FedEx. If anyone gets the vibe you are lying or misleading them, you may A) get your offer rescinded or B) get placed in a purgatory status and placed in class much, much later.

Shoot straight and you may end up in a class a week later. Lie--well--you may never get on property. I can only imagine HR team's reaction when someone says "oh...yeah...thanks for the interview.....but I CHANGED MY MIND on the whole FDA thing..." I don't think it will endear you to anyone in management, and as a probationary pilot that doesn't seem too wise.

There are other companies that pay new hires more (American) or have pay scales that approach ours (Delta) that are hiring 1500 this year. Get your ass fired from Fedex and I imagine getting picked up at those places might be a bit more of a challenge.

It is not a lie, if you are willing to do it. The problem is how can you commit if you don't know the rules? I am willing to buy a new truck today, but I won't decide on which one until I drive it and the dealer makes an offer.

Hell the company can't even tell what country they are committing for.

That is the best point made.
The company should let you say OK to one and not the other.

No, just consider that you would be willing to do it. When, if ever, the company figures out what they want. This job is good enough that if you aren't willing to even consider moving or commuting for a couple of years, you don't want it bad enough. I wonder how many people said they were planning on moving to Memphis during the interview, and never managed to end up there. Were they lying?

Cool about the $5K private school stipend. We've paid up to 26K per kid for private school, with no stipend. I can't imagine international schools are more expensive.

I am not at all opposed to and FDA, but I don't want to check yes on that box until I know for sure what all is entailed with that. I certainly don't want to come across as dishonest or manipulative by checking yes and then saying no after the offer. I just want to make an informed decision. I keep hearing about stipends and allowances, but I don't know anything for certain.

If anyone could get me a copy of the FDA LOA, I would really appreciate it.

Actually, all FDA pilots are "permanently domiciled in Memphis, Tennessee". Per the EMEA/HKG personal agreement.