Airline Pilot Central Forums

Airline Pilot Central Forums (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/)

- Major (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/major/)

- - Delta vs. FedEx (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/major/92732-delta-vs-fedex.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by dualinput (Post 3318219)

I’m not optimistic there will be FedEx captains in 40 years

Yes, because cargo has always been at the cutting edge when implementing new technology.

*laughs in DC-3's still flying freight*

Quote:

Originally Posted by dualinput (Post 3318219)

I’m not optimistic there will be FedEx captains in 40 years

There will be FedEx captains on the flight deck, but they will be up there alone, and it will be much less than 40 years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dera (Post 3318226)

Yes, because cargo has always been at the cutting edge when implementing new technology.

*laughs in DC-3's still flying freight*

because they run a low utilization model where keeping capital costs low is efficient

but they do (at the top end) buy new aircraft and automation will save money on labor

All I’m say is if you’re 40 then it’s a no brained to go to fed ex if commute is the same. Fed ex best of breed no question. If you’re younger there is a very real technological dice roll.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dualinput (Post 3318343)

All I’m say is if you’re 40 then it’s a no brained to go to fed ex if commute is the same. Fed ex best of breed no question. If you’re younger there is a very real technological dice roll.

What do you mean a technological dice roll?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zerosilver84 (Post 3318449)

What do you mean a technological dice roll?

The threat of being replaced by further cockpit automation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExperimentalAB (Post 3318462)

The threat of being replaced by further cockpit automation.

which doesn’t, at all, have to be full autonomy. De-augmentation will be the first move

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroTT (Post 3318313)

because they run a low utilization model where keeping capital costs low is efficient

but they do (at the top end) buy new aircraft and automation will save money on labor

Brand new 767F and 777XF are still old technology. Even the proposed new 350F and 777X wont have the technology for reduced pilot ops. And these new aircraft will be around flying cargo for many decades before they are replace.

As for costs, reducing pilot costs would be more meaningful for airlines like UAL which have much more augmented flights overall and who always buy the next generation of aircraft when replacing their existing fleet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroTT (Post 3318467)

which doesn’t, at all, have to be full autonomy. De-augmentation will be the first move

Long haul with two pilots instead of three?

[QUOTE=FXLAX;3318471

Long haul with two pilots instead of three?[/QUOTE]

yes. One pilot naps, one pilot flies

Quote:

Originally Posted by FXLAX (Post 3318471)

A replacement doesn’t currently exist it will happen eventually. It also won’t be a light switch. The regulatory environment has to be right first then the manufacturers will quickly produce an aircraft as the technology already exists. Regulators will embrace cargo much sooner than pax. IT security will be the main factor IMO for cargo. Once the regulators and manufacturers get on board the cargo operators will slowly replace the oldest manned aircraft and shrink the pilot groups.

If you’re 40 and commute is not a factor FedEx all the way. It’s the best pilot job going as a commuter no doubt. Younger with the pace of technology being exponential then who knows.