Wanted to offer my experience to any military folks interested in or waiting for a call from FedEx. I recently retired from the military with over 2k hrs multi-engine turbojet PIC time and was an IP/SEFE with a clean record. FedEx was number one my list based on their domicile locations and great compensation package. I fully expected to wait for a while to get any calls but the other major carriers called for an interview within a few months of submitting apps. I was offered a job and went to work for one of them while I waited for FedEx to call. I got a PE from a FedEx pilot as soon as that system went live, although I had my app in for close to a year by that point. I just got a call for an interview, over a year after submitting my app. Unfortunately, a re-do on the new-hire lifestyle isn’t in the cards for my family so I’m staying put. The other military pilots I’ve talked to have had similar experiences—not getting a call from FedEx or waiting a long time then failing the HR portion — despite being snatched up by other major airlines in short order. If the PE made any difference then I can’t imagine how long it will take them to call someone without a PE. FedEx is either unable or unwilling to hire experienced military pilots as quickly as other companies. If you’re in a similar boat with FedEx as your primary option, get your apps in early and be ready to wait a long time.

 

Damn bro, I'm already having dental surgery this afternoon, and now you've made my day worse. FEDEX is number one on my list too. I have no PE, I retire this Friday, but I do have a Delta interview lined up.

 

Here's my .02 cents YMMV

Fedex has a much smaller Pilot group than any of the major Pax haulers and they have largely the same percentage rates of attrition that we do. So it is not personal or biased its just math. We hired <500 guys last year the Big 3 hired better than 3-4x that. Delta hired more twice what Fedex did.

I'm sure Albie can chime in here with more detailed info, but getting an interview here is statistically harder. This company wants/needs competent and capable pilots and if its your carrier of choice keep at it. I can certainly attest that its worth it, but on that I am super biased.

 

I don't think you should generalize based on your personal experience. I came from a similar background (all single seat military) and was interviewed and hired recently without a PE just two months after I separated from active duty. 75% of my new hire class had some sort of military background, though they were extremely diverse. 6-9 of my friends with military backgrounds have been hired in the last year.

I agree that the interview process does not make a ton of sense, but Fedex seems to really value military experience.

 

What I will add is not encouraging. Military guys are not getting the call as quickly as they once did here, and while some are getting called the numbers/percentages anecdotally appear significantly lower.

Now--I just messaged a former corporate type that got awarded WB captain, and I'm a huge fan of the sharp folks that come out of the regionals. Full disclosure--my PE is in the bank for my own daughter who hopes to start her 121 career next month. I'm certainly not "anti civilian" or anti-anything.

But yeah...from the fence...it seems like FedEx is not calling a lot of super highly qualified folks until way after their availability date. Is it a deliberate attempt to "reshuffle" the mix of mil/civ? Is it simply random numbers? Dunno... But--Delta reaches out now 120 days to call people for leaving the military, and Hawaiian will go 6 months. It may just be our HR isn't keeping up with what others in the industry are doing as far as interviewing windows.

My pragmatic take is this: If you are a military pilot, who wants to work for FedEx--apply and update frequently. But apply to Delta, AA, UAL, and UPS too. (UPS has recently surged up on military hiring--noticeably...) Like the poster above--you may be in a situation where you decide where you are is the best spot for you, especially if you have a bit of seniority and time there.

By the same token--I don't like hearing "they will never hire a guy like me..." from some of the regional pilots out there. A 27 year old damn sharp FO flew me into SGN a few months back....out of Commute Air and Compass. He wasn't a legacy or an referral. Plenty more here like him, and lately it seems even more. So--apply. With 500 slots this year, and more retirements coming each year, there will be some opportunities.

 

Just a WAG but with new FAA requirements to be a 121 PIC we are having some mil guys who have the seniority to hold CA but based on our relatively low block hours wont have the FAA required time for a while. Throws a little bit of a wrench in their plans when those guys bid for and are awarded CA but the Feds say no dice. Could cause them to hire some RJ scum for a while knowing that they are qualified in the eyes of the FAA to practice their craft from the left seat from day 1.

-UA

PS I am RJ scum, it's a joke.

 

Visit https://pilot.fedex.com/m/news-compa...eer-expo.shtml for details.

 

United is reaching out 12+ months to some military pilots. No common background other than most are senior and retiring (no threat of mil-leave).

 

Does anybody know if FedEx is hiring prop guys or are they just looking at pilots with Jet time?

 

For someone interviewing at the end of March, what could they expect as a timeline? (i.e. CJO, class date, length of training and finally released to the line). Thanks!!

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk