[QUOTE=busdriver12;1794289

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.[/QUOTE]

Which country were you living in at the time? Could you have sent your kids to the public schools and let them learn the language?

??? First year pay at the new American is $40 an hour... $36,000 for year one roughly...

OK Albie, so why is the company playing games with their applicants. Paris? The Europe domicile is in Cologne, right?

You advise us to shoot straight, but the HR department is NOT in this case. Do you have any info on whether the two FDA questions are designed as another set of filters in the application screening?

My apologies for the snarkiness... THANK you for all the information you provide here.

New AA contract will be in 70-80k range according to sources.

I am not defending HR. All I am trying to do is keep new hires or interviewees from being shown the door. Last round see guys said the had FE written a done...but did not. Some were not hired. Had one guy who was not forthright about an issue escorted off by security during his interview.

Want to be a sea-lawyer? Want to stick it to the man? Go for it! My suggestion is let the guys off probation and in positions to influence the issues do the fighting. If fedex is one of your many choices, and you don't mind explaining your choice...one on one...to HR...go ahead. But know you are an at will employee for the next 12 months, and any misstep will be without the benefit of any accumulated goodwill. Our company has fired folks, and I would hope we could avoid adding any more to the list.

Perhaps my experience knowing guys fired makes me cautious. If you want to ignore the advice its 100% your call.

I should have stipulated--Do not lie. Do not mislead. But there is a big difference between saying you are willing today--right here right now--to accept a hypothetical FDA assignment and (for example) saying you have a current medical or other required qualification listed. If you have zero intention of EVER accepting an FDA assignment, either with or without your family, then definitely do not check yes. I hope "they" remove these wide-open FDA questions. Until they do, every time you change your mind after talking to your significant other, better make sure you update your application accordingly.:rolleyes:

Everyone just relax. There was a similar question on the questionnaire when I got hired in 2012. I answered yes. At no point in time during the interview (Day 1) did it come up. Day 2 while completing CJO paperwork, I was asked what I preferred. I prefered MEM but was seeking further info on CGN and I stated such. I never received the info they said they would provide me before I was offered a MEM class. Several people in my Indoc class had volunteered. There was never any pressure other than knowing you would most likely start immediately if you volunteered.

FWIW, here is the exact verbiage from pilot credentials.

48. As we may have a need to fill positions in our Foreign Duty Assignments we are asking that you respond to the following questions. The response to these questions is merely an expression of interest and does not imply that you would be assigned these positions.

Are you willing to accept an assignment to Hong Kong for a minimum of two years?
Yes No
Enter any comments below


49. Are you willing to accept an assignment to Paris for a minimum of two years?
Yes No
Enter any comments below


50. I am interested in a Foreign Duty Assignment at this time. Please type yes or no.

Fair enough...thanks Albie!

The Paris domicile question is an error they never corrected from the 2011-2012 hiring window. Should say Cologne and that is what the intent is.

Yep, cuz the company is all about intent instead of what is actually written.

Well, in their defense the road to hell would still be gravel if it weren't for intent.

That would be the United States. I suppose they could have learned some English at our local public schools, but they learned far more at their private school. Really good private schools are extremely expensive, even in America.

Bravo! And, you did that on FDX new hire pay?

Wow. That's a lot of moolah to send your kids to private school. Each semester is a Harley, boat, and a second home.

No, we started paying for school on FDX fourth year pay. But it's a lot cheaper if they are young, and not all schools cost so much. Though for two years, I think people could suck up anything if they want the job. Though I think FedEx could make the FDA's a better deal, and hope the union negotiates hard on that. If people don't want to pay for international school, they could have the kids go public or even....gasp....homeschool for a couple of years. What an amazing experience for kids to grow up for a couple of years in Europe. Man....if the trips and pay were better, I'd be there voluntarily.

Going into debt for a couple of years, or just living low for awhile when you're looking at your overall picture is worth it. I've been furloughed, and that's far more expensive. It's not easy to get a good flying job, even with the majors starting to hire, there just aren't enough decent options. You take the job you get, struggle for a couple of years, and then it gets better.

Only if your second home is a trailer. But yeah, we gave up a lot of toys, we would always say it was a Ferrari every other year for them. Anyways, it's paid off so far, and it's better than just leaving it to them after we die....as a pilot with FedEx, it could be any day now. You never know if you're going to be the next one to die in their fifties or sixties, sadly.

We have homeschooled for years. I have no problem with it. However, it is my understanding that it is illegal to homeschool in Germany. Not sure about China, but my initial assumption is that it's against the rules there too.

Wow, illegal? Talk about the government interference in your life. I wonder if there are exceptions for internationals. I also wonder if people live in neighboring countries where it is legal and commute to CGN, if that is workable.

In Germany it is verboten, in the HKG SAR it is ok.

No exceptions in Germany. They're hardcore about it and parents get sent to JAIL for bucking the no-homeschool laws.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Living in a neighboring country might work for school but you would not be eligible for the housing allowance.

One thing to keep in mind is that the CGN folks are on narrow body pay and take a pay cut each time a check is deposited (paid in dollars and spending Euros). The Union is fighting this issue in the contract talks and it appears as if the school allowance might (will probably) go up.

You said it yourself.....if the trips and pay were better you would go. We need to make this better so that it can be a realistic option for everyone and you won't have to rack up debt to do it. In my opinion being broke defeats the purpose of living in an FDA and negates the benefits of being based in a foreign country.

"You said it yourself.....if the trips and pay were better you would go. We need to make this better so that it can be a realistic option for everyone and you won't have to rack up debt to do it. In my opinion being broke defeats the purpose of living in an FDA and negates the benefits of being based in a foreign country"

I agree. However, I think being broke for a couple of years is worth it, if that's what it takes to get the job. Like you, I really hope this gets fixed for people.

< 1000 PIC Hours a show-stopper?
 

When the hiring window opens again for new profiles, will you even be considered if you have less than 1000 PIC hours? I have 2300 Total ME w/ approx 500 PIC hours. Would I even be considered?

Unfortunately you won't even get past the initial screening questions on Pilot Credentials. The requirement is 1000 PIC.
https://fedex.pilotcredentials.com/i...qualifications

Specifically... 1000 TPIC

I know a poolie who was called in to complete phase 2 of interview at the end of Jan. Sounds like things are starting to happen.

I'm confused, how I s this person a Poolie if they had yet to complete phase two of the interview?

Poolie implies already hired!

Any wild ideas of what the competitive quals will be like for pure civilian pilots in the near future? How does enlisted (non-flying) military experience look in their eyes? Hardcore about college GPA/academics?

Maybe not poolies in the real sense, but there were about 10 people who tested/passed in late 2012 and were waiting to be called back for the panel/sim check, in addition to some folks who had completed the whole process and got CJOs.

In addition to the true poolies (CJO holders), FedEx called those who only tested to see if they were still available/interested.

Pilot Credentials sent an email to ensure application was up to date. May not mean anything, maybe they are about to start making calls again? No idea.

UA

My Poolie buddy got another email this weekend reminding him there are spots available in HKG.

Your Puli buddy?

Grooming information for the Puli


:eek:

Do they ever waive the 1000 ME time for PIC? My son would have a strong internal rec but just started accumulating C130 time. He has plenty of turbine time as well as a bunch of helo time that counts as much as kissing ur sister....

TIA

Pilot7576

Doubtful.

There are no doubt hundreds of other, better-qualified applicants with similarly strong internal reqs.

Thanks...time has a way of catching you up with the hours necessary...he'll just have to fly his butt off...

Pilot7576

I have a few questions regarding FDA rules for those living in Cologne.
1. How far could you live away from base? (Considering living near Ramstein or Stuttgart to work part time with the reserves)
2. Is there a stipend to offset educational cost for children? (DOD schools charge 24K per year/per student :( )
3. Any financial assistance for the move to Cologne.
4. Any good ideas to make it work? (I know this may open up the discussion to the Jokesters but please I’m kind of serious)

I second Woodro, I think a lot of us would like to hear how this is being handled. PLEASE PLEASE keep the comments relative.

I think you have to live within 100 miles, or as approved by the company.

I think you get 5k per kid.

I think you get 10K to help with the move, limited shipment rights, 4500 rental allowance, and coach tickets for the family.

It works, some people love it, some hate it.

I have not done an FDA but quick guesses on my part in case the company is calling you today, plus this will prompt someone else to post to tell me I am full of sh1t and give you different numbers.

The 100 mile rule only applies if you want to take the housing allowance.

The CGN housing allowance is 3500/month

1. CGN is 3500 housing....must live within 100 miles and must be in same country.

2. 5K per child capped at 10K total per year

3. 10K seed money to get you started...plus other perks ...realtor fee, deposit, household goods packing, storage and shipping.

4. Talk to some folks already doing it....FDA is a love it or hate it deal...its up to you to make the best of the situation.

Hope that helps you make a decision!