Panzon

I have changed jobs a few times in pursuit of higher compensation, and learned the hard way that high compensation does not bring personal satisfaction. I will never again change jobs for the sole reason of making more money.

While it is true that the corporate flight department might get closed or outsourced without warning, it is also true that plenty of majors have declared bankruptcy or shut down. Plenty of pilots lost their pensions and experienced shattering life changes. Just as there is no guarantee that the OP's corporate flight department will continue indefinitely, there is no guarantee that FedEx, as it is today, will be the same place in 10 - 15- 20 years. My point being that we can't rely on our employer or our union to guarantee security.

Health care benefits get changed all the time. From what I've seen, benefits in union shops are less prone to abrupt changes. So if a person has a family member who will need a lot of health care FedEx may be a better choice.

Working nights takes a toll on a person, and interrupted sleep patterns seem to have a greater impact as one ages. The OP is 37 today: how many years will he have to fly nights before he can hold days? With young kids in the house now, what will be the quality of his family interactions while he's trying to readjust from overnight trips?

Lots to consider.

f10a

90th percentile for Global pay and 1 week on 1 week off sounds like a dream corp gig. Where do we sign up?

Shaman

I've spent my career on both sides of the Part 91 Corp and 121 side of the fence. I recently left a great Part 91 position flying Gulfstreams to come to Fedex and although the first year pay cut hurt like a kick in the groin, I have ZERO regets. This place is AWESOME!!! So awesome in fact most of the guys working here take it completely for granted.

It was getting to the end of the middle of my career and Fedex was the only 121 option I would remotely consider. I applied, they called, I interviewed, and by some stroke of fortune they hired me.

Initially, it seemed like a tough choice, but after doing a serious detailed comparison everything was heavily weighted towards making the move.

I like Albie's client was in my late 30's early 40's was a captain flying new equipment 250-300/yr and around 180k/ year with maybe 4 RONs a month and an MBA.

For me it all came down to two things:

1. With retirements and hiring being as they are advancement would come quickly and so too would come all the benefits of. One cannot simply compare 121 to 91 as a broad history. I believe one has to assess to current state of industry going forward and how that will effect your individual career.

2. No matter how you parse things a Part 91 pilot position always represents a COST CENTER. It does not generate revenue, therefore its necessity to the function of an entity is very subjective. At Fedex a pilot is an integral part of its revenue generation.

On a personal note. I really enjoy just having to fly the jet. This job is far far far easier than any part 91 corporate position. I thoroughly enjoy not having to argue the stupidity of two guys doing a 10, 12, or 15 hour flight and 20 hour duty days. I take comfort in the fact of knowing if I'm not feeling well or I need time away from work I can do so without potentially crippling ops and feeling obligated not to. There will no longer be any concerns about passenger transportation being in position, catering orders, or being told that you will leave at X time and waiting X+a bunch to actually depart.

In essence the beauty of Part 121 flying is there are actual rules and limitations. In Part 91 even the most well run ISBAO certified department has an ops manual that is merely a list of suggestions.

Adlerdriver

I think he meant jeans/sweatshirts (aka comfortable clothing) while we're flying, not on layovers.

Maybe YOU wear uniforms to fly. Many of us wear uniforms to takeoff and land. Top of climb to top of descent is sweats, pajamas, whatever makes you comfy (to a point, anyway).

Jetjok

Hey Adler, tell him about how all the female pilots wear those skimpy, black, see through thingies, during the cruise portion of the longer flights. Oh, yeah, so do a few of the men.

tennesseeflyboy

Believe it or not, there are corporate pilots that have made it to retirement !!! But they were the "lucky ones". Plenty of others out there including myself, that flew a beautiful business jet however come to work one day and guess what ........... the jet is being sold and they are closing down the flight department !!! No guarantees at all the majors either, witness the downturns and furloughs in years gone by.
Big fish in small pond or Small fish in large pond.