FE written worth it?
 

Does taking the FE exam help you in the long run?

That would depend on whether or not you want to be an FE in your life?

[Most] all working FEs are in the over age 60 crowd so there is no shortage of qualified and currently hired guys wanting that job. Also, as FedEx continues to convert the DC-10 to an MD-10 - where are the FE jobs?

I don't think having the rating will hurt you, and in fact it could be a good education if if you approach it like you'll be doing the job. Black boxes have replaced the FE on new jets, so like FAA certified navigators, it's not a growth industry.

seems like in the next 20 years that position will cease to exist. anyone agree with that assessment? i mean, what planes with require fe's in the future?

I'm not aware of any additional quals that will work against you. If you arenot flying transport aircraft, it will give you a little more insight to what goes on in this world. Some airlines used to req. the written (true at ABX when I got on, but that's getting to be awhile ago), but as said above, FE is not exactly a growth area.

HSLD the main reason I ask is that I downloaded the coversheet to send out and noticed that it mentions the FE exam along with the score. I can't remember who I received a CV from, maybe FlyerJosh?, but it had a FE test and score as well. I was just wondering if it's something a lot of people do to make themselves more competitive in the future. I'd study and take the exam, I'm pretty good at getting good scores on those things, but I didn't know if they had them because of their previous job or if it actually put another notch on your belt for employment.

I'd say the cost is minimal and its not that tough to get the written out of the way. It might help getting your foot in the door at World for instance. Evergreen has gone to a SO program as well. The FE written got my friend at NAC hired a few years back. So it's not a dead end job entirely. He's now an FO on the 73.
For a guy like you with all the other requirements met I'd say do it.

As mentioned, having the rating (or written) won't hurt in a any way, and could actually help get you an interview. My point was that FE slots have dried up.

Someone mentioned NAC, and I have to say you've never seen someone work until you've watched the FE on a DC6! I sat on the jumpseat about 5 years ago out of ANC, I don't know if they still fly them, but what a treat that was!

I worked a few thousand hours as a 727FE and it was pretty close to being a real flying job. It was a great education as they teach a lot more nuts and bolts than most current transition classes do. [geez, listen to me....back in the day....:) ]