FedEx questions
07-31-2016, 02:53 PM
#161
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2013
Position: 737
Posts: 35
Originally Posted by Adlerdriver
Maybe an actual ATL commuter will pipe in. I looked at the typical busy nights, Mon/Tues inbound (ATL-MEM) and the same outbound on Friday (MEM-ATL) for the next two weeks. There are usually two night flights leaving between 2130-2230L with a mix of A300, 767 or MD-10. Each a/c has at least 4 seats or more. There are plenty of seats open tomorrow (start of Aug bidmonth) and the following week as well as at the end of each week coming back to ATL. Maybe that's a summer anomaly, but I don't see a big issue with seats in that small snap-shot. Add to that the fact that your currently employer has what appears to be 10 non-stops each day and I'd say you have some options.
Seems like bailing on an in domicile gig with Delta to commute to MEM would be a tough call. Good luck with the interview.
Seems like bailing on an in domicile gig with Delta to commute to MEM would be a tough call. Good luck with the interview.
08-01-2016, 12:46 AM
#162
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 2,889
Prowler,
I'll give you some advice worth what you paid for it here...
Before you bail on Delta, use your ID and go jumpseat on a couple of FedEx flights. There are a lot of things to like about working here, and a quick search will give you a long list. It has certainly been good to me and my family.
That said, there are some trips and pairings that simply aren't much fun. As in "God, I wish I was doing about anything else right now..." kind of miserable. Doing a hub turn, leaving the hotel at 7-9 PM for and arriving in at midnight-1, then going outbound again 3-6 AM is something you need to experience. Doing them back to back is tough. Doing them after a 24 hour layover and a swap from day flying (which I did this week....3 day legs followed by a night turn) is just very very tough.
We have new hires going to the 777. Long haul international was never a problem for me, and I rather enjoyed it. Of all the flying we do--am and pm out and backs, day turns, night turns, day and night international....I still find the plain old hub turn the most miserable and soul crushing.
Lest I look like a complainer, I will point out there is a variety of flying here, and 1000 little niches you can find that will work for you....with some seniority. If you are a bottom guy, however, expect to do some hub turning now and then for a while. It can be managed....hell some guys prefer them to day turns and other flying...but since you already have a real BRASS RING type job you owe yourself a good look before you leap.
Do I tell guys this at SWA? No. Jetblue....no. But a pilot who is at Delta, in domcile, or at AA, AK, UAL and likes their job should probably do some solid due diligence.
Now--FedEx allowed me to see the globe, and at a point in my career much earlier than I could have done at a legacy. It has paid me well, and I have certainly worked with some great people.
But--this is important--there is some serious SUCK hidden in all that good stuff at times. Maybe a 4-5 leg MD trip with 4 gate changes is equally bad to you. I know the legacies still have their share of red-eyes too. I just suggest you do a mid-length hub turn on one of our jumpseats before you give up what you have. If you say "yeah...its tough...but I can hang and will eventually do something else..." I'll be the first to buy beers and dinner on the layover. If you are completely shell-shocked, however, you might want to take a closer look at our bidpacks and the life you friends here live before you walk away.
Yes--I can show you how you will probably make more money at FedEx. You will fly bigger planes in an industry that historically has been much more stable. All that, however, still doesn't make it automatic. Get some data.
And good luck--whatever you decide....
I'll give you some advice worth what you paid for it here...
Before you bail on Delta, use your ID and go jumpseat on a couple of FedEx flights. There are a lot of things to like about working here, and a quick search will give you a long list. It has certainly been good to me and my family.
That said, there are some trips and pairings that simply aren't much fun. As in "God, I wish I was doing about anything else right now..." kind of miserable. Doing a hub turn, leaving the hotel at 7-9 PM for and arriving in at midnight-1, then going outbound again 3-6 AM is something you need to experience. Doing them back to back is tough. Doing them after a 24 hour layover and a swap from day flying (which I did this week....3 day legs followed by a night turn) is just very very tough.
We have new hires going to the 777. Long haul international was never a problem for me, and I rather enjoyed it. Of all the flying we do--am and pm out and backs, day turns, night turns, day and night international....I still find the plain old hub turn the most miserable and soul crushing.
Lest I look like a complainer, I will point out there is a variety of flying here, and 1000 little niches you can find that will work for you....with some seniority. If you are a bottom guy, however, expect to do some hub turning now and then for a while. It can be managed....hell some guys prefer them to day turns and other flying...but since you already have a real BRASS RING type job you owe yourself a good look before you leap.
Do I tell guys this at SWA? No. Jetblue....no. But a pilot who is at Delta, in domcile, or at AA, AK, UAL and likes their job should probably do some solid due diligence.
Now--FedEx allowed me to see the globe, and at a point in my career much earlier than I could have done at a legacy. It has paid me well, and I have certainly worked with some great people.
But--this is important--there is some serious SUCK hidden in all that good stuff at times. Maybe a 4-5 leg MD trip with 4 gate changes is equally bad to you. I know the legacies still have their share of red-eyes too. I just suggest you do a mid-length hub turn on one of our jumpseats before you give up what you have. If you say "yeah...its tough...but I can hang and will eventually do something else..." I'll be the first to buy beers and dinner on the layover. If you are completely shell-shocked, however, you might want to take a closer look at our bidpacks and the life you friends here live before you walk away.
Yes--I can show you how you will probably make more money at FedEx. You will fly bigger planes in an industry that historically has been much more stable. All that, however, still doesn't make it automatic. Get some data.
And good luck--whatever you decide....
08-01-2016, 06:48 AM
#164
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,756
It's pretty tough to swap living in domicile for being a commuter, that's for sure. However, I commute with FedEx, but lived in my domicile with a major carrier, and I cannot tell you how much I prefer flying for FedEx, even with the hidden suck that Albie is talking about. Control over your schedule, ability to drop and swap. Not dealing with passengers or flight attendants, but focused on flying related operational issues....huge for me, a negative for people who are more extroverted and enjoy that.
08-01-2016, 09:45 PM
#166
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 2,889
Originally Posted by OleDawg
I am also hoping for a call from FedEx, and appreciate all of the insight provided so far.
Anybody know how competitive the commute is out of Orlando?
Anybody know how competitive the commute is out of Orlando?
08-03-2016, 07:40 PM
#167
New Hire
Joined APC: May 2014
Posts: 9
I've been at DL for two years and have roughly 1800 guys below me. I've been flying the 757/767 for my entire time at DL. What are the chances of getting Cologne based as a new hire at FDX? How does aircraft selection work (Does FDX take into account what you currently fly)? I'm also interested in a typical schedule out of Cologne. How long can one expect to sit reserve (I'd be living in AMS)? Thanks guys for the info. Feel free to PM if you prefer. Thanks.
08-04-2016, 09:07 AM
#168
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2016
Position: Right
Posts: 53
Originally Posted by Noise
I've been at DL for two years and have roughly 1800 guys below me. I've been flying the 757/767 for my entire time at DL. What are the chances of getting Cologne based as a new hire at FDX? How does aircraft selection work (Does FDX take into account what you currently fly)? I'm also interested in a typical schedule out of Cologne. How long can one expect to sit reserve (I'd be living in AMS)? Thanks guys for the info. Feel free to PM if you prefer. Thanks.
I am not in an FDA but was very seriously considering it when I was hired. I remember something to the effect of a radius you had to stay within. You can technically live where ever you want but in order to get the living stipend its 100 miles.
There are usually 1 or more FDA slots available in each class but it does vary. When I was hired we only had one Cologne spot and it was first come first serve as to who wanted to go.
If you chose to go to an FDA you will start 1 day earlier with all the MD11 chosen people, but will of course fly the A/C that is in the FDA
08-04-2016, 10:07 AM
#169
On Reserve
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 11
Originally Posted by Noise
I've been at DL for two years and have roughly 1800 guys below me. I've been flying the 757/767 for my entire time at DL. What are the chances of getting Cologne based as a new hire at FDX? How does aircraft selection work (Does FDX take into account what you currently fly)? I'm also interested in a typical schedule out of Cologne. How long can one expect to sit reserve (I'd be living in AMS)? Thanks guys for the info. Feel free to PM if you prefer. Thanks.
I got CGN as a NH.
08-07-2016, 10:10 AM
#170
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2016
Position: First Officer
Posts: 234
Originally Posted by Noise
I've been at DL for two years and have roughly 1800 guys below me. I've been flying the 757/767 for my entire time at DL. What are the chances of getting Cologne based as a new hire at FDX? How does aircraft selection work (Does FDX take into account what you currently fly)? I'm also interested in a typical schedule out of Cologne. How long can one expect to sit reserve (I'd be living in AMS)? Thanks guys for the info. Feel free to PM if you prefer. Thanks.
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