Delta vs. FedEx
01-13-2016 | 01:27 PM
#31
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,756
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I like Albie's analogy about FedEx being a bunch of different airlines. So true. If I could stomach it, I'd be a 777 Capt. Some of them make $400-450K, and I would like that paycheck. However, the legs are too long, the trips too long, they work too much for that money. Many people love it and sleep all the time in the airplane, but I would be in constant recovery mode, and feeling awful. That wouldn't be worth it. Easy, short little legs on the Bus are better for my QOL. Totally different airline.
So much depends upon what you might prefer. I dislike interaction with pax and flight attendants (unless they're bringing me wine), I like the flying only, mission oriented part of FedEx. I used to work for a major carrier until I was furloughed, and I felt like I was always interacting with someone. Flight attendant drama, walking old ladies to their gates, it never stopped. If you're an extrovert, you probably like that. An introvert, it drains you.
But if you could live at a Delta base, it could be well worth going with them. Their new contract could be fantastic (I hope), and the profit sharing looks like a really sweet deal. Then again, if the economy goes south, you could get furloughed, which has never happened at FedEx. You have a tough decision, but it is an awesome choice to have.
So much depends upon what you might prefer. I dislike interaction with pax and flight attendants (unless they're bringing me wine), I like the flying only, mission oriented part of FedEx. I used to work for a major carrier until I was furloughed, and I felt like I was always interacting with someone. Flight attendant drama, walking old ladies to their gates, it never stopped. If you're an extrovert, you probably like that. An introvert, it drains you.
But if you could live at a Delta base, it could be well worth going with them. Their new contract could be fantastic (I hope), and the profit sharing looks like a really sweet deal. Then again, if the economy goes south, you could get furloughed, which has never happened at FedEx. You have a tough decision, but it is an awesome choice to have.
01-13-2016 | 01:33 PM
#32
Line Holder
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 21
From: WB Cpt
My perspective comes from freight 747 flying with NW, and mixed international and domestic assignments at NW and DL. Freight eliminates a lot of hassles, but as others have said is a ticket to flying the back side of the clock for the most part. But so is long haul international with Delta or anywhere. Except Delta's "Interport" Asia flying is an exception, where you can stay in or one hour away from Japan Standard Time for several days.
The key point is you have a choice, and can mix it up throughout your career by selecting domestic vs. international with DL. With 20/20 hindsight I would have taken FedEx 19 years ago when I got hired, simply because career progression would have been better and I would have missed bankruptcy and pension loss. Today, the dynamics are different. The Delta NYC base would likely sway me if I was in your shoes. Today I can bid in the upper eschelon of 717 captain in NYC, or upper pack of the wide body copilots or even hold junior wide body captain (if you want to call the 767 a wide body). On the west coast where I want to be, I can barely hold captain on anything. But the relative level I'm at will be achieved in half the time or less for today's hires.
It's green pastures in NYC if you want to live in the NE. Culturally, Delta is a fine place to be. The list of carriers I had a degree of envy toward (look-back "what ifs?") has shortened over the years. There's no other passenger airline on it. Placed in context of choices during a career, I'm pretty darn lucky to find myself at Delta after all the changes in the industry. Best of luck with your decision!
The key point is you have a choice, and can mix it up throughout your career by selecting domestic vs. international with DL. With 20/20 hindsight I would have taken FedEx 19 years ago when I got hired, simply because career progression would have been better and I would have missed bankruptcy and pension loss. Today, the dynamics are different. The Delta NYC base would likely sway me if I was in your shoes. Today I can bid in the upper eschelon of 717 captain in NYC, or upper pack of the wide body copilots or even hold junior wide body captain (if you want to call the 767 a wide body). On the west coast where I want to be, I can barely hold captain on anything. But the relative level I'm at will be achieved in half the time or less for today's hires.
It's green pastures in NYC if you want to live in the NE. Culturally, Delta is a fine place to be. The list of carriers I had a degree of envy toward (look-back "what ifs?") has shortened over the years. There's no other passenger airline on it. Placed in context of choices during a career, I'm pretty darn lucky to find myself at Delta after all the changes in the industry. Best of luck with your decision!
01-13-2016 | 02:02 PM
#35
On Reserve
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
My perspective comes from freight 747 flying with NW, and mixed international and domestic assignments at NW and DL. Freight eliminates a lot of hassles, but as others have said is a ticket to flying the back side of the clock for the most part. But so is long haul international with Delta or anywhere. Except Delta's "Interport" Asia flying is an exception, where you can stay in or one hour away from Japan Standard Time for several days.
The key point is you have a choice, and can mix it up throughout your career by selecting domestic vs. international with DL. With 20/20 hindsight I would have taken FedEx 19 years ago when I got hired, simply because career progression would have been better and I would have missed bankruptcy and pension loss. Today, the dynamics are different. The Delta NYC base would likely sway me if I was in your shoes. Today I can bid in the upper eschelon of 717 captain in NYC, or upper pack of the wide body copilots or even hold junior wide body captain (if you want to call the 767 a wide body). On the west coast where I want to be, I can barely hold captain on anything. But the relative level I'm at will be achieved in half the time or less for today's hires.
It's green pastures in NYC if you want to live in the NE. Culturally, Delta is a fine place to be. The list of carriers I had a degree of envy toward (look-back "what ifs?") has shortened over the years. There's no other passenger airline on it. Placed in context of choices during a career, I'm pretty darn lucky to find myself at Delta after all the changes in the industry. Best of luck with your decision!
The key point is you have a choice, and can mix it up throughout your career by selecting domestic vs. international with DL. With 20/20 hindsight I would have taken FedEx 19 years ago when I got hired, simply because career progression would have been better and I would have missed bankruptcy and pension loss. Today, the dynamics are different. The Delta NYC base would likely sway me if I was in your shoes. Today I can bid in the upper eschelon of 717 captain in NYC, or upper pack of the wide body copilots or even hold junior wide body captain (if you want to call the 767 a wide body). On the west coast where I want to be, I can barely hold captain on anything. But the relative level I'm at will be achieved in half the time or less for today's hires.
It's green pastures in NYC if you want to live in the NE. Culturally, Delta is a fine place to be. The list of carriers I had a degree of envy toward (look-back "what ifs?") has shortened over the years. There's no other passenger airline on it. Placed in context of choices during a career, I'm pretty darn lucky to find myself at Delta after all the changes in the industry. Best of luck with your decision!
01-13-2016 | 02:24 PM
#36
On Reserve
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
The future is guaranteed to surprise...
Seems quite likely that someone will start unmanned large aircraft cargo company within 10 years time, putting extreme (unbeatable?) pressure on FDX. Public pressure will prevent pilotless 121 transport (though possibly not part 91).
Thoughts?
Seems quite likely that someone will start unmanned large aircraft cargo company within 10 years time, putting extreme (unbeatable?) pressure on FDX. Public pressure will prevent pilotless 121 transport (though possibly not part 91).
Thoughts?
01-13-2016 | 02:25 PM
#37
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 16
From: Hoping for any position
Fellow Pilots,
I just got my dream job offer. Twice. Both FedEx and Delta want me to start indoc on the same day next month. I'm doing my research and looking at pay scales, retirement plans, etc. I want to live in the northeast (New Hampshire or Maine). I don't mind flying at night… sometimes.
Any advice or opinions on which offer I should take would be greatly appreciated. Or please point me to a discussion that has already occurred on the forum.
Thanks in advance!
I just got my dream job offer. Twice. Both FedEx and Delta want me to start indoc on the same day next month. I'm doing my research and looking at pay scales, retirement plans, etc. I want to live in the northeast (New Hampshire or Maine). I don't mind flying at night… sometimes.
Any advice or opinions on which offer I should take would be greatly appreciated. Or please point me to a discussion that has already occurred on the forum.
Thanks in advance!
So you leave me a spot at delta....😜
01-13-2016 | 02:34 PM
#39
Banned
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Aeroflot
I think in the long run you'll make more money at FedEx. You'll have the option to make widebody FO pay pretty quickly and you'll make widebody captain quicker than Delta. You'll never have to deal with passengers at FeDEx. Night flying can be tough. Two good options to have though with both offers. Congrats.
01-13-2016 | 03:30 PM
#40
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,047
Likes: 20
From: 7ER B...whatever that means.
Good friend of mine recently quit Delta for FedEx. From what he tells me, most of the FedEx bubbas look at him like he's got two heads or give him a "You did WHAT!?" when he tells them. But he has some serious roots in Memphis so I get it.
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