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I second that! RST combined with ECIC is the way to go when it come to preparing for the interview! ECIC and RST partnership was a solid choice!

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Ready Set Takeoff

Ready Set Takeoff | Take Your Career to the Next Level

Ready Set Takeoff
 

RST is an amazing resource. If you have an interview with FedEx or Delta (Ready Set Takeoff) or wanting to prep while waiting for the interview (different website, Ready Set Takeoff Preview), this is a can't miss resource. Focused on learning the concepts and not just memorizing. Amazing effort, best I've seen for airline technical prep. More and more content is rolling out and it has been amazing watching it all happen as a member. Send me a PM, I'd be happy to describe either site further, also coupon available.

Did you say coupon available?

I would not recommend RST, personally. I think their service is good, but unnecessary. There is enough free test prep available.

[edit]... and if you don't do ECIC you're an idiot.

I can't disagree with C6V more on the RST front. Yes, there is free prep out there...you could just read Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators and call it good, but it was a nice feeling rolling into the testing knowing what to expect. In my interview group (approx 1 month ago) 10/10 guys used RST and 10/10 guys made it through the first day. To a man, they all said they were glad they'd used RST.

Agree 100% about ECIC. Definitely do it.

Can't fault Tito for trying to build a better mousetrap with the training software on RST.

There's been plenty of readily available, adequate gouge out there for many years. The low-tech PowerPoint and MS Excel simulations of most of the cog sub-tests, as well as solid info about the tests and sub-tests (courtesy of the vendor for the test), have been around for a long time and easy to find if someone went looking for them. For the folks who wanted more, that existing gouge even pointed to the Lumosity games you could play that would closely simulate most of the cog tests.

RST has just one-upped that existing stuff, and from my perspective it appears to be a nice improvement. Weather or not that improvement is worth the coin to join RST is going to be up to everyone individually.

Most folks who'd never had the chance to see the actual cog test at either a Delta regional interview, or hadn't seen the very similar tests that the military uses for TBI screening, saw the cog as this big mystery boogey man. I suppose if someone really wants to knock off the "scare factor" of not knowing exactly how the test works, dropping a couple hundred bucks on the RST trainer is money well spent.

Another vote for Tito's RST product... was hired last month, the website took ALL the mystery and anxiety out of all day 1 testing. Great product, great dedication to making keeping it current. The price is absolutely worth it.

FedEx new hires
 

After flying with, and getting to know multiple newhires here, I believe I will start offering an "extracurricular," off company property class sometime during Basic Indoc. A few of the guys in some of the recent newhire classes, during after-hours social events, encouraged me to provide my "This is what those powerpoint briefings mean to you as a FedEx pilot" knowledge. We all know that there is a difference between data and information, and knowledge. Because the company has limited time during BI, the amount of data often far outweighs the amount of actual knowledge you get. An example is the disparity between the very important 4-hours of FAA-mandated training on Hazardous Materials vs. the minute and a half, maximum, of time we actually spend inspecting the loading of, and signing its simple paperwork during preflight. If you and your significant other are able to have a heads-up as to most of the aspects of being a FedEx employee and pilot before BI and IOE, you might be able to more quickly sift through all the data and get some understanding and knowledge you can use to better your life. This course would be the flip side to my friends in the pre-hire interview prep business. It has the potential to save you a huge amount of heartache and $. Many of you have already spent thousands of dollars getting here. I hope to be able to help you and your families make up far more than what you've spent through facilitating a comprehensive understanding of multiple areas of life as a FedEx pilot - from how not to fail bidding to the importance of the Contract (for those military converts), from vacation bank concerns to insight into healthcare vacillations, from suggestions on navigating Memphis' streets and unique political and social disposition to how being on Reserve works for you, and much, much more.
I hope to be able to offer this for newhires and their spouses starting with the next classes in September. Keep watching, and post if you are coming to class and might be interested.

-Vee1Rotate

Having just gone through BI I believe this will be a huge benefit to future new hires. BI is a great course but there is just so much company/faa required info that they are required to go through they miss the "how is this info going to apply to me".

Two perfect examples: bidding and healthcare/retirement

Bidding: BI just begins to scratch the surface (this is a bidpack, and this is what a line looks like etc. but no tricks of the trade i.e. Don't bid secondary lines on months when you have vacation etc...) If I didn't get a chance to sit down with a more experienced FedEx guy over beers one night I'd still be lost. (And I can still guarantee I'm going to screw it up the first couple times even after getting some gouge from him...)

Healthcare: This more plays to the military Tricare folks (like myself) who have never known anything but Tricare. The benefits folks came and talked for two hours but after that time and numerous questions I still feel like there's a ton of info I don't know and lots of other questions I never even thought of asking. (i.e.: you don't know what you don't know so how do you know what questions to ask?)

Bottom line, I think this will be an invaluable asset to all new hires and especially ones that have no former 121 experience.

Sounds like a great idea, however, I wonder what the legal ramifications would be if your interpretation of what you're presenting is incorrect and causes some form of harm, either financial or otherwise. Just wondering. Actually, this type of class might better be presented by FedEx ALPA.

I don't think anyone is going to pay you to take a "gouge" class.

Interesting first post. Sending up a trial balloon under another username?

When I first read your post, I didn't think you were going to charge money. After reading Check6Viper's opinion (which I share), I re-read your post and now see the promises of potential QOL improvements and monetary benefit in exchange for your knowledge. So, maybe you are planning to charge. I really hope I'm wrong.

No, it's really not. Interview prep courses are generic to some extent and can be tailored to address various airline interview specifics when appropriate. They introduce and/or hone skill sets that are necessary for success in the interview process present at most airlines today. What is taught can be used at multiple companies and isn't airline specific. In fact, while most of their clients are probably prospective airline pilots, the methods they teach are applicable to anyone seeking to better present themselves to a potential employer. Not everyone is capable of assembling the knowledge, team and resources necessary to effectively teach those methods. On the other hand, any one of the 4000+ pilots at FedEx who weren’t hired in the last year can probably do a reasonably good job of explaining many of the subjects you mention. The more complex issues can be handled by the people and resources at ALPA for which our pilots already pay their dues.

Viewing our new hires as a potential income stream leaves a bad taste in my mouth. These pilots have made it and they are now our co-workers, crew members and potentially new friends. I and most pilots I work with here would give the information you’re talking about offering them in your “course” free of charge over a beer.

so…..you’re going to teach former military pilots that the contract is important? :rolleyes: How many slides will that take?

…um, what? :confused:

I’d love to see the slides on this part of the course. No potential audience minefields there at all.


There always is….order in the next 20 minutes and receive an added bonus copy of “How to abuse the Out and Back lot like a management pro”.

Seriously, I agree that there are many areas of our work life and contract that require detailed explanations to navigate properly. Most of us either read the contract and figured it out on our own, posted here on APC or asked someone else who’d already cracked that nut. No one I asked for help with vacation, bidding or anything else charged me money for their advice.

I think your assessment of a need to educate our new pilots is valid. I would suggest you approach ALPA and see if the union has some guidance for you. Creating a one-stop source of “how-to” knowledge sounds like a great idea. I just don’t think our pilot’s need to be paying for it on top of the dues they already pay ALPA.

What???

Going to class to learn all the in & outs of the CBA and bidding secrets of your enlightened brethren??

I thought this was what A reserve and crashpads are for?

Multiple guys sitting around questionably dressed, watching TV, surrounded by unwashed dishes and looking for the lost remote --- but all the while, sharing sage advice on all aspects of FEDEX life

Please don't start a business and ruin it for all those guys :)

I can tell going as someone who finished indoc in August that nobody in my class wanted to attend extra curricular coursework on top of the 8 hours of class we already were being paid to attend. I'll figure out finer points of the CBA over beers on layovers or by calling ALPA.

If you layover with me, I'll not only answer all your questions for free, I'll provide the adult beverages of choice!

I'd like to layover with you. ;)

Me too. I think almost all of the captains you fly with would be happy to do the same thing. Pilots on probation don't pay for food or drink if they fly and eat dinner with me. I'm happy to tell people anything they would like to know, and I must be doing okay because someone just told me I was "legendary" as far as scheduling goes.....I think that was a compliment.:eek:

Highly suspicious that someone would post about this on their first post, and the next following post was supposedly a newhire lauding it....on their first post.

Any pilot at FedEx would be glad to share whatever they've learned with you for free. In fact, you generally can't get us to shut up about it.

As suspicious as it may sound I have no connection to the previous poster. I am a brand new FO that just finished BI last week and still was looking for answers so I decided to join here and start searching. I saw that post and thought I'd share my .02 since I just finished indoc.

As for layovers and learning tricks of the trade from all of you that have been doing this for years, I can't wait.

Then, welcome. Trust me, we are happy to share. You will be inundated with advice, probably whether you want it or not. Free of charge.

Now that's funny.

Don't forget to include the "how to park in a not-real parking spot but right next to the entrance/exit of long term parking".



For us military guys- the contract is important. Read it and refer to it often. There-subject covered.

I personally think what the OP talks about is a good idea- I think most of us came out if BI with more questions than answers. I also agree that ALPA would be a good resource, a "gouge book" of some sort like I've seen for the Hong Kong domicile, or just the 'ole "figure it out as you go along" will have to do. But not a paid class.

Anyone know what happened to the Pilot New Guide? I lost it when I transitioned to my new iPad. The FDA section on PFC makes many references to it, including it should be available on SCL, but I can't find it.

I appreciate that man. I can't wait!

15 yards. Spot of the penalty. Loss of down.

Perfect.. Somebody has to keep an eye on her.:p

What's up with the "Millennium Falcon" listed as aircraft type on the pilot credentials website? I listed 2 hours SIC time thinking it would get app pulled....

Really...I only got a little less than 12 parsecs of SIC time. Can't remember the Captains name, but his Wookie FO is already in upgrade training at Delta.

A parsec is a unit of length, not time.

Are you sure?

...even in the space-time continuum??

And without using the APLC who knows how many fortnights are in a furlong?

:)

These last posts are some of the very few left on APC that are actually funny.:D

Other than what's on APC, do you know where I can find mandatory retirement numbers for FedEx? I'm familiar with the "crystal ball" but I do not work at FedEx... yet (hopefully)

Capt's should take care of their crews, but levels of knowledge vary wildly...and, there are people who have contract "knowledge" that is 100% inaccurate.

(Two examples: I once reminded a Capt that we were a NOCAT city and thus reminded him to file a claim on the expense report, he said I didn't eat so not filing anything and said I'd get fired if I filed a claim--needless to say I filed, and am still working. On another example, happened to hear a Capt complaining about dropping into El Paso to pick up some freight and getting nada $$ for doing so, asked if he'd filed for the extra 30 minutes of Disruption compensation--then learned that he hadn't but it was "too late" now. FYI-it's Never Too late, and hopefully that extra $$ will eventually be company generated. But, if you don't know you're supposed to get it, well, maybe you won't.)

There are many discussions on Vacation bidding and Substitution. If you have questions, ask, there are a substantial number of posters here willing to answer any questions either via a post here, or a PM for easier back\forth.

And Yes, If we're on a Layover, Newhires eat and drink for free if you're with me and I'm happy to answer any questions. Just speak up because I've already got my Capt's hearing.

(Vagabond, you're always welcome too. :-) )

Hello Everyone!

Sorry in advance for this long post...Im hoping I can get some career advise/guidance towards setting up the right career path to eventually fly with FedEx.

A little about me...
Im a former Army Paratrooper that became interested in aviation only after sitting for hours in the bellys of C130's and C17's before making a high performance exit out the side. Im currently flying a Pilatus for a 135 EAS operation in Phoenix and have a little experience with the cargo side of things when I flew for a company doing inter-island cargo in Hawaii in a shorts 360. Im still very low time (800 hrs) and know I need ALOT more to even be competitive.

Can any current or former FedEX pilots Pm me and maybe share their story /career path to what eventually landed them their BIG break? With aviation the way it is, and the possibility of lots more hiring in the future, Im just not sure what is the best way to get to where I want to be. I have no family in Aviation and trying to pave my own path. I was told once that "You'll never know if you made the right decisions until you retire"...well im hoping any advice I can get will help me be better informed with making these decisions. Im approaching R-ATP mins and not sure if i should go to a 121 regional as an FO, or upgrade in the Pilatus under 135 and build PIC....ANY and all info would be greatly appreciated!!

Quick question of you guys, got the invite from kim on Thursday, I wrote her back my preference for the interview but haven't heard from her? I know it was a holiday weekend but just a little nervous why I haven't heard anything yet.

Check on units
 

A competent candidate for FedEx should know that a Parsec is a measure of distance and not time. Sorry, but back to astronaut academy. Most Fedex pilots are competent astrophysicists, and I'm not talking b+ students. Big Purple / Big Singularity....

Try to relax. She is probable trying to fill the interview classes and is looking at everyones preferences. The next time you hear from her will probably be when she has a date for you.

thanks man, just curious