FedEx "not for everyone"? - Page 3 - Airline Pilot Central Forums

#21

Squallrider , 10-03-2018 09:41 AM

Gets Weekends Off

I live in base with a great company, great flexibility but still taking the interview. I have questions about schedules as I have a young family but the chance to fly heavies and the pay is very tempting. Will ask around and get info and if I get a offer make a decision. I love what FedEx is capable of and they have a great future I believe.

#22

UnusualAttitude , 10-03-2018 09:43 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Albief15

I'll be the first to tell you at times I am tired. I get a little cynical at the emails on fuel, safety, etc. I think the company nickels and dimes us frequently and misuses the contract to their advantage which is irksome.

But...

I've never flown a jet I didn't trust.
I've never been pressured to take a flight, carry a writeup, or do anything I considered unsafe, illegal, or immoral.
I never flew with another pilot here I thought was unsafe/dangerous.
I've never had a paycheck bounce.
I've never for a day sweated a furlough.
I've had two back surgeries, a few family hospital stays, and for 2018 we added a torn ACL and an emergency appendectomy for a couple of my daughters. I have been on buy-up or Geo Blue my whole career, and the out of pocket costs have been trivial.

In short--when I do catch myself *****ing--and I do *****--I realize most people would kill to have these complaints.

I also realize I'm "tired" because I work a lot--more than I have to. Why? My middle class upbringing has a hard time leaving that kind of money on the table when work is available, and I've got a family with dreams of their own. If I throttle back to a more QofL pace--and I'm doing it a bit more now--I realize there is a LOT of down time here if you play it right.

So--yeah...if I lived in CLT, ATL or DEN I might consider staying at another carrier. But this is a good gig.

Excellent post. Agree completely.

#23

Low Flyin , 10-03-2018 10:05 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squallrider

I just had a newborn while on probation and was able to get 5 weeks off, I bid for 3 off and dropped 1 week of trips, and got bumped off of another. With layovers at home I’m gone for 3 days max on any given trip

#24

Squallrider , 10-03-2018 10:34 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Low Flyin

Nice , that’s not bad at all . Typical trip length? I’m assuming you’re on the 757?

As for the OP I’m very happy where I am but FedEx is a great company too and I think the best thing anyone can do is interview if you’re interested and then decide. No one job is perfect for everyone

#25

Shaman , 10-03-2018 10:35 AM

Gets Weekends Off

A mentor of mine once told me, "Never turn down a job you haven't been offered"

The same man said, "Consider an interview an opportunity for you to evaluate a position just as the potential employer is evaluating you."

#26

Temocil27 , 10-03-2018 11:54 AM

Gets Weekends Off

If walking down the terminal in a blazer and hat turns you on this job may not be for you. If you struggle to sleep 6-8 hours during a daytime layover this job may not be for you.
The cons- you will definitely do night hub turns and fly the backside of the clock. That's not for everyone. The pros- too numerous to list. Some of my favorites after 2 years here: NO PAX, making enough money to live comfortably and support my family and all of our hobbies, flying big planes that are impeccably maintained in wide open airspace with a black towncar always waiting to whisk me to the hotel.
I have never felt as respected as an airline pilot as I do here. Sure, every job has stuff to complain about, but here it is really rather trivial. For reference, I fly the 757 and am able to hold very commutable lines and for the last several months have been able to hold weekends near my house. Good luck!

#27

HIFLYR , 10-03-2018 12:34 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by heyyo

Have a FedEx interview coming up. The call came as kind of a surprise. I haven't always paid that much attention to the company, and my app wasn't in great shape - errors, etc. It's easy to look at that hourly rate and think, "how can I pass this up?", but my research also says this can be a tough job. The thing is: I feel like garbage when my sleep gets too screwed up and I don't like long flights. I also happen to like my life the way it is now, despite being paid significantly less than FedEx pilots.

There's a trade-off, of course, as the opportunity to live abroad, see the world, fly a heavy and enjoy great pay and benefits would be great. It sounds like there's quite a bit of schedule flexibility too. Still, not sure about taking this path.

Does anyone know pilots who have left FedEx? Many posts on APC say, "you'll love it here"*, with some caveat on the asterisk. Is caveat ever too much? Or does everyone just grin and bear it?

I hear this a lot too much night flying. Name one major that does not have plenty of night flying, 0400 get ups to launch for multiple legs, transons or international flights. Yes, at Fedex when junior some nights but after then it’s mostly up to you how much night flying you do just like anywhere else. I personally would rather land at 2400 than get up at 0400 but to each thier own.

#28

Moosefire , 10-03-2018 01:18 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by HIFLYR

This is a great point. I feel it’s common to hear “I couldn’t handle FedEx. Too much night flying”.

Then I think: “ok, but you wanna go to a legacy and fly widebodies right? The ones where just about every flight to Europe is a redeye”.

#29

KC10 FATboy , 10-03-2018 02:38 PM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyyo

Where are you that you are making significantly less than FedEx pilots?

My advice, if FedEx is paying more, go there, step up to a Major when they call you. This assumes you're not needing to build PIC time etc.etc.

If you still need to build PIC time, stay where you are and wait for the Major to call you.

#30

busdriver12 , 10-03-2018 06:20 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by HIFLYR

Wait a minute, do people who land at 2400 consider this night flying? If I get to bed at sometime close to midnight, that's day flying. Absolutely hate getting up very early. Then again, I am willing to do quite a bit for a long layover.