ChinsFive

My list (in 2 years):

1) Alaska
2) UPS
3) SWA
4) Hawaiian
5) United
6) NWA

767pilot

It must be the way those guys drink it.

FliFast

UPS is a trucking company....

Not an Airline and not the Air Force.

We are merely truck drivers with polyester pants...sheesh !!!!

But a good gig nonetheless, just calling it like I see it.

Deez340

I hear this quite a bit from my UPS friends and jumpseaters. They say it's a great job but that you are quite aware that you work for a trucking company. Could you elaborate?

CaribPilot

Best list Ive seen on here so far.

⌐ AV8OR WANNABE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deez340

I hear this quite a bit from my UPS friends and jumpseaters. They say it's a great job but that you are quite aware that you work for a trucking company. Could you elaborate?

Well, they used to call FedEx an airline that happened to have trucks and UPS a trucking company that happened to have airplanes. I think that statement was very true in the past but from what I’ve heard from guys/gals I’ve been flying with, things have improved greatly from the way it used to be (way before my time). I think FedEx has been expanding their ground side and we’ve been growing our airline side and in a way the two companies are becoming more similar in their structure; also pilots at UPS are definitely treated more like ‘airline employees’ nowadays rather than truck drivers (not that there’s anything wrong with either profession). At least that’s what lots of senior folks have told me; they fought hard to improve things for the pilot group here and personally I think they did a heck of a job and it shows.

We have our quirks and some things might seem strange initially. For example why would a multi-billion dollar company that prides itself in technological innovation keep using an archaic (in my view) phone system (VRU) for trip trades, open time pick ups, etc? Granted, you can do that online now as well but I figured we’d be the innovators when it comes to computers and online procedures. Also, sometimes it’s hard to understand why a certain decision was made by the management (for example leather jacket issue which in my mind alienates future employees) however overall I think it’s a great gig.

I have three very close friends at purple and we keep comparing our benefits, schedules, retirement plans, medical insurance, etc, etc. Each time we seem to come to a tie or maybe find one company being just a tad better than the other in one area but then the roles reverse in another area. To ask someone if he would prefer to fly for purple or for big brown is akin to asking the same person if he would prefer his million dollars in twenties or in fifties?

Do your job and enjoy your time off knowing your paycheck will be on time! I really think both FedEx and UPS are the top airlines of today and that the lead will widen in the future.

As far as hiring – I wish we had some kind of “silver bullet” system here when it comes to recommending someone. Basically wish our recommendations were worth more “points.”

Just my worthless ½¢.

fr8rcaptain

I'll take mine in $20's...it's more fun to roll around in

MrSuupafly

Isn't that what Hefty smurfed all over Smurfette? No thanks.

Slice

I think that was blue spoo.

duvie

I think the decision to go to Fedex or UPS is a tough one. First, my body likes sunlight, and although I understand you can eventually hold day time flying, I wouldn't especially want to wait the time it would take. Maybe I'm a wuss there.

Second, living in base is one of my top priorities when choosing an airline. I would like to live near the ocean due to its importance in most of my hobbies/passions so that eliminates quite a few airlines (unless you like surfing in 50 degree water)

Everybody's list will be different because the varying criteria we use to judge companies and our geographic proximity to their bases. Based on pure company health I would have to say.....

1. UPS/Fedex don't know enough about to either to put one above the other
2. SWA
3. DAL/CAL
4. AA
5. NWA
6. USair
7. United

I didn't include companies like AirTran or JetBlue because I think companies like those are in a different category.

My choices with my own specific criteria thrown in:

1. United
2. AA
3. DAL
4. CAL
5. Fedex
6. UPS
7. NWA/USair