A crewmember informed me the other day that it was possible as a FedEx pilot to jumpseat on a FedEx truck from one city to another. He provided a number to set it up, but it turned out to be out of service. Does anyone have any information on if this benefit exists? If so, how to set it up? Thanks.

Call the ramp you want to ride along with and they will let the driver know. Be aware of limited baggage space. I sat with my bag in my lap.

Based on your profile position, posting history, and this post, I'm guessing you recently left Kalitta to join FedEx. WELCOME!

And congratulations on getting a perfect reply to your posted question in the very next post!

BTW, I agree with everything he said. If you're not wearing your uniform at the time, you might offer to help your driver out with whatever tasks they have loading a can, moving a can, loading it on the truck, etc. They'll probably decline, but it's a nice gesture and a good way to express your appreciation for the ride. We treat them good, they treat us good. Carry a couple of bottles of water to share. If it's a route you plan on taking often, you'll probably be seeing a lot of the same driver, so don't mess up the first impression.






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Although that would be really nice of you to do, don't. You're not trained for that and if you were to be injured you can guarantee Fedex wouldn't help you out at all. Just like we have to have one hand free for the crew stairs. It's unfortunate, but you just need to do the job you're trained for.

Bring coffee and donuts though.

Trained for ... I've had to walk across roller decks to get in and out of ramps in numerous locations, but I don't ever recall being trained for it. In fact, other than being told not to walk between dollies, I don't recall specific training for walking around the ramp. But I get what you're saying. Yes, we ARE supposed to have one hand ON the hand rail when ascending or descending the stairs (not just one hand free for that purpose), but if you aren't holding on and you slip and fall, your health insurance will still work, and FedEx will still take care of you. I know, I know, it's a popular legend, and the legend is probably a good motivator to do it the right way, but it's just that -- an urban legend.

Like I said, they'll probably decline your offer to help (there's a correct way to load the can, and many incorrect ways), but the offer will go a long way towards building goodwill. But be careful climbing into the cab of the truck. It could be dangerous.









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Thanks for the welcome!. You're right, I just left Kalitta, and I'm very happy finally be at my dream job! Thanks everyone for the info on the truck ride!

Reminds me of Red Duke, MD (Memorial Herman Hospital ER head) “Medical Minute”. My favorite, “This is Red Duke with the Medical Minute. A reminder for all you old folks. You youngins should take heed, as well. When you are going down the stairs, hold on to the handrail. It’s not the fall that hurts you, it’s the sudden stop.”

Speaking of legends, where is this hand rial rule written? Can you provide a reference because I can’t find it.

I think it was in the B-727 S/O LCA IOE Handbook of Techcedures and Proniques, and it has been handed down through oral history in the decades since.

Seriously, though, I have no idea. I'm sure OSHA requires that the handrail be there, but I don't know of anything that requires anyone to use it.






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they were also placarded with a weight limit of 500 lbs BEFORE the TSA required the locking cages be fitted. Now tell me this, where’s OSHA on that?