Perhaps. It looks like it might be a matter of perspective.

I think the process of interview prep, company research and the interview itself is a two way street. The candidate is being evaluated of course, but he's doing the same thing with his potential employer. If, in the course of his evaluation process, he determines the job won't suit him (maybe due to commuting) then he says TBNT. Maybe that happens before he even interviews.

When our friend with the interview said he was unfamiliar with "FedEx Ops", I took that at face value. I didn't assume that he was researching commuting while choosing to ignore the company, culture, origins, purple promise, etc. Those things don't fall under "ops" in my view and are certainly far easier to get information on than the nuts and bolts of commuting. I think it goes without saying than anyone preparing for an interview with a fortune 500 company would be doing their due diligence when it comes to corporate research of all the HR subjects you listed. I have to assume he is doing just that and happened to go the extra mile by looking into how the commute might work for him.

Somehow you decided that if I were to ask a question in an interview about commuting that I would choose to ignore company specifics in OTHER questions I might pose. I seem to recall answering more than one question during my interview. ;)

Sometimes the written word fails us even though we think we're doing a SH job of making our point. Face to face over a beer, I'll bet we'd be on common ground before the first one was finished.

P.S.
Based on your reply to JJ, it really seems like you're advocating that anyone seeking employment with FedEx or any other airline should interview and receive a CJO before they look into whether they will actually be able to take the job. If commuting or some other aspect of the FedEx operation becomes a show-stopper for someone and they can determine that BEFORE going to the trouble of interview prep, airline tickets to MEM, hotels, etc. - why would that be a bad thing? Seems like good head work to me.

You assume WRONG.

And how long ago was that?

Like has been in mentioned, it's a bit of a different deal now.

Sure, ANYTHING is fair game for the asking.

But what the HR types ask/value now isn't exactly what it was back in the day.

That's all I have to say about that, I'm out of this peeing contest. You have a good night.

John Carr,

As a guy currently prepping for a FedEx interview, I can assure you that people ARE getting asked very pointed questions about how they are going to make commuting work. I have personally spoken with a guy who was asked multiple questions about how he expected to make a DFW to Memphis commute work. His interview was two weeks ago. He did not have a good answer, and was not offered a position.

Adler, thanks for the info. This is a dream job for me, and I am scouring the internet to learn all I can about the company prior to my interview next week.

I said that I was going to move to Memphis, so I didn't have to be junior and commute. And then I did, until I knew I could commute, after five years. Actually, it was more that I couldn't stand it any more. But I would honestly consider the possibility of moving, to make it easy on yourself, though you wouldn't have to make that decision right away. I suspect FedEx, and Dallas, is one of the easiest commutes ever.

Some good commuting answers would be that you will get to Memphis the day before a trip or reserve, have plenty of backups, be willing to buy a ticket if Jumpseats aren't available, watch the weather, never push it.

"Have you thought about the commute from DFW to Memphis if offered a job?"

"Nah the geniuses on APC said I was putting the cart before the horse"

Although these two things are independently facts, don't make the mistake of implying cause and effect between the two.

Very true and if asked why Fedex? Feel free to throw out any answer. They probably don't care and are just filling time.:confused: