holygrail

Hi,

I am a corporate pilot that spent 13 years at the airlines prior to accepting my current position. My decision to leave part 121 was mainly due to furloughs/ downturn and overall its been good for me. As of late however, I find myself interested in FedEx and SWA. At 49, I do have some reservations about changing again but it seems that a lot of guys my age are being picked up. What does a day in the life of a FedEx new hire look like? How much time can I expect to be away from my family in the first year? After that?

This web site says that new hire pay is 4k per month and then its like $78/hr. I assume the 4k/month is just while in training and then it goes to the hourly rate. Is that accurate? How flexible are the schedules/jumpseats? Ive heard that DEN MEM is a terrible commute. Sound about right?

I also have military experience (enlisted), how does this factor in?

I've been thinking about using a professional log book service/ resume service to consolidate my vast array of logbooks. Any advice?

I did apply for fedex way before this pilot shortage and was never contacted. At that time, I found 2 guys willing to help be get hired but Ive kinda lost track of them. Ive also heard that references are largely disregarded these days. Thoughts?

Anyway, just fishing for any info. Thanks in advance.

Nightflyer

There is a thread labeled "FedEx Hiring" with almost 3000 replies.

After you have read it, you can ask any questions that have not been covered already.

alafly

Please. Do some reading.

FDXpilot

I think you mean “A night in the life...”

gbntpilot

Two very different animals. At FedEx you can stay domestic or do nothing but long haul international, fly days or fly nights, and operate a pretty wide range of aircraft and types of operations. Or, you can go SWA and fly the same airplane on the same domestic routes for the rest of your life. I'm not downing SWA. It's a good company to work for. But, I also know a few SWA pilots who are really burned out on spending their entire career on the 737 flying bottom feeder passengers demanding five star service for their $69 one-way fare. Our passengers don't complain much.

Night reserve to start. Probably hold a line on the 757 within 2-3 months. I only spent one month on reserve before i was bidding secondary lines, but I also live locally. I don't need a commutable schedule. Your time away from home varies greatly depending on what kind of schedule you bid, if you're on reserve, the aircraft you're awarded, and especially if you choose to commute.

Correct. Then you go to second year pay on the first day of your hire month the following year. So, if you're hired at the end of a month, you might not be on 1st year pay for a full 12 months.

One of the best parts of FedEx is the ability to finesse your schedule in many different ways. One could write a book on it. Actually, we have...the 2015 CBA. Google the FedEx ALPA MEC website. Even a non-member can download the pilot contract.

Yes, the DEN-MEM commute is one of the worst. Lots of pilots live there, so the jumpseats are always full.

If you weren't a pilot, thank you for your service, but it's just another job.

Go electronic and just do it yourself. Make yourself do 2-3 pages a day. Then if it's wrong, at least you own the mistakes.

References don't mean crap. A personal recommendation/endorsement is still valuable, but each FedEx pilot can only recommend 1 candidate every ten years. Many save them for their own kids.

holygrail

I appreciate all of your replies except one! Surely my military experience is not “just another job”.... pilots are NOT the only ones that serve.

Otterbox

TYFYS, but don’t expect any extra credit if you weren’t a military pilot is probably what was meant by that comment... If the skillset isn’t directly transferable then it’s a talking point during an interview at best.

Out West

As a mil guy, I’ll have to say that’s a fairly asinine statement.

If I wanted to be a lawyer after I got out, by your assumption (based on that post) a firm should hire me as a partner because I was a military pilot. It isn’t just another job, that’s true - but it also doesn’t qualify me for jack unless it trained me to do it.

Even closer to home? I spent a little less than half of my mil career as a non-pilot. There’s zero reason that should count towards my pilot career. It’s just irrelevant. Claiming that unrelated experience should count for something that it isn’t cheapens the profession.

Dude - if you’re qualified and are a decent human to be around, I hope you make it. But only because you’re qualified and are a decent human to be around.

SaltyDog

From FedEx "In line with the FedEx commitment to diversity & inclusion, these FedEx operating companies were recognized for their tireless work throughout their communities to onboard, retain and promote veterans in the workforce."

https://supplychain.fedex.com/resour...t-to-veterans/

FedEx like many corporations like to brag on the vets hiring numbers by all their corporate subsidiaries. Its a public affairs thing, so though not a pilot. HR likes tp tag the "vet" box to shoe Uncle Sam etc what a great corporation they are in the community.
So, though not a direct business skill set (manipulating an aircraft), Vets are commonly lauded and appeal to companies for teamwork, leadership, discipline which translate to success for the employer regardless of skill set (pilot, mechanic, etc)
Punchline: It doesn't hurt, if have all other skill sets they are looking, they get the extra benefit of hiring a vet for bragging rights. Having attended these award and recognition events for employers, its no small matter for management.

holygrail

Thank you! I served, I’m as proud as anyone... it matters. Your response is the one I hoped for but didn’t expect.