Tumbleweed11

I'm by no means an expert, but had a really good friend NOT get a FedEx invite with about 2700TT with about 900 in the F-18 with the rest being IP time in the T-6. He got invites from Delta, American, United and Southwest.

Might be pure coincidence or there might some truth to the 12.5 statement. Either way, would love to get some clarification on the topic.

BiloxiJack

+1... I did this and it was possibly the easiest and most fun mission I had.

Otterbox

It doesn't sound like FedEx disgards T-6 time but until one has their minimums and the type of time they require one shouldn't expect to get a call.

1500 hours total fixed-wing time as pilot-in-command (PIC) or second-in-command in multi-engine turbo-prop A/C or jet A/C or combination thereof (GTOW 12,500). A minimum of 1000 hours total fixed-wing pilot-in-command in multi-engine turbo prop A/C or jet A/C or combination thereof (GTOW 12,500 or greater) is preferred.

In the case of your friend, Regardless of total time, 900 hours of Hornet time is neither 1500hrs PIC/SIC in a multi engine turbo prop/jet above 12.5k nor 1000hrs PIC time multi turbo prop/jet 12.5k or greater. Once they get 600hrs of SIC time at one of the majors they got hired on to they'd meet the 1500hrs of the type of time FedEx wants and can start applying again but would still be 100hrs short of their preferred type of PIC mins (unless of course the military conversion brings them above the 1000hrs PIC threshold they're looking for).

FlyNavyHawkeyes

Okay I'll be more precise. When meeting with them, they only counted time above 12,500 pounds on their "scoresheets", so while I'm sure they count the time in the totals, I doubt their system values lightweight time as much.

*yes I know there are exceptions, etc. But anecdotally, I haven't heard of or seen a lot of T-6 IPs getting out after their first tour get hired at FedEx. I have seen quite a few T-45 IPs leaving at their first opportunity get hired there.

Tweetdrvr

We have had some guys at DLF have trouble getting calls with T-6 time as most of their PIC. It's been guys the AF sent back to the training command just as soon as they upgraded so their multi PIC (Herc, C-17, KC-135) totals were less than 500 hours. I've also seen some of the AFSOC guys in the single turbo prop NSAs who have come to the T-6 have some trouble getting calls.

We had a guy who came to us with about 300 hours of C-130 PIC, who was teaching sims on the 757 at FedEx. FedEx did not like his time in the T-6, and would not count his type rated instructor sim time in the 757, so he is at Delta.

It might be the same mission and just as difficult as it has always been teaching primary at the UPT bases, but it is treated differently than the plane it replaced.

If you have 1000 hours single engine jet PIC or 1000 multi turbine pic weighing more than 12.5k lbs, then life is good. The single engine turbo prop guys seemed to face a few hurdles getting calls, just as I'd imagine Caravan drivers and any corporate PC-12 drivers are probably having same difficulty.

Based on anecdotal observations of gold wingers who transferred to the AF Reserve associate IP program, it seems as if SWA was the place for a lot of T-34 bubbas with most of their PIC as single engine turbo prop.

SpringLanding

Thanks for the information. I'm approaching 1000 hours aircraft commander time in a 57K multi engine jet but probably won't hit it before heading to a new assignment and smaller aircraft. If FedEx has a conversion factor I think I'll be north of 1000 hours.

My takeaway is that the objective difference between a T-6 and T-45 when getting hired is the heavier weight, specifically the T-45 GTOW being above the 12.5K-- and this is particularly important for UPS and FedEx, given their stated minimums.

Snaplock

I specifically asked about this topic at the FedEx Expo. I was able to corner the head of hiring about this and he told me that "it's different for military." I asked him if the computer would prevent someone with T-6 time from getting the interview invite. He said, "no". However, I suspect that FedEx does not count T-6 time toward the GTOW requirement and especially with so many qualified applications I don't think you can expect an invite anytime soon if you have to use your T-6 to get you over the hour requirements.

Synixman

If you're a Navy Honret guy I don't think they'll even offer you VTP with all the needs out there for Jet IPs. We have exactly one Navy Hornet pilot in TW5. Marines are different obviously.

I can't speak to T45 life but T6 lifestyle is pretty good. Diversity of missions is lower, but still opportunities to keep it fresh. Guys with multi engine time (P3/E6/jet) plus T6 IP time are getting offers from majors once they're within 6months of separation dates if they've finished the ATP, with plenty of networking opportunities with reservists.

Also Pensacola/Milton (to me) beat the hell out of Meridian/KVille/Corpus. That's subjective though.

Tumbleweed11

That clears it up....Basically T-6 time is counted in regards to the application as a whole, but you still need to meet the minimum 1500 hrs of PIC and/or SIC in ME turboprop/jet above 12.5k.