Dear Fed Ex Sirs...

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Hey guys,

Just looking for some advice. I'm currently at a regional airline. I have my mind set on flying for Fed Ex some day (just something about the orange and purple color scheme really does it for me.)

But every time I mention to a fellow pilot that I have my eyes set on Fed Ex, I hear the same comments over and over:

"Good luck."
"Don't hold your breath."
"You have to be military."
"You have to have flown with at least 3 fed ex pilots who will recommend you."
"Oh really, who do you 'KNOW' at Fed Ex?"

My first career was working in the business side of Hollywood where primary importance and advancement opportunities were based on WHO you know. Who is sleeping with who, and blah blah blah. I got tired of it after a couple years and decided to become a pilot. Hahaha, I guess in some respects the business' of movies and airlines parallel each other closely.

So here I am, asking you gentlemen for a little advice. I'm starting from zero with no connections whatsoever, but I refuse to believe what everyone else tells me...that it's impossible. I'm not looking for a free ticket or an easy ride. I'll work my ass off and do whatever it takes to earn my chance. But where do I start? What can I do to put myself on the radar?

Sincere Thanks

G
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Internal hire
You do not have to be military but you do need 1 sponsor. The only way around the sponsor is to be an internal hire. If you work for the company for one year, then you can bid on any position with the company that has an opening-Pilot included. So if you can swing "throwing boxes" for a year part time, you are guaranteed an interview if you are qualified. A lot of guys (me included) were hired this way.
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Or Professional Flight Instructor route or Corp Flt Dept. A friend of mine just started hanging out at the various GA airports around MEM and started making friends. I think the fastest way to do it is to throw boxes.

Many ways to skin the same cat,

Hope that helps,

TSD

P.S. I was straight Civ (flying-wise) and all three of my sponsors were too.
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fu k, i threw boxes for them for a summer while outta college, def not a year tho only 3 monhs. i do know some of the sups there pretty well, maybe they can push the resume up to the right people when my time comes too, id love to work for fedex, im a night owl
id do it again its just the schedule is so stupid, its mostly people looking for a little extra spending money, its was 2 hours a night 5 nights a week. id rather just work one 10 hour day rather than making my whole week a struggle
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Thanks guys for the input. This internal hire route sounds like it may be the way to go. Hopefully I can get a flexible part time job at Fed Ex.

A couple follow up questions though:

1. Do you have to currently be employed at Fed Ex when you apply for the pilot position? (Or is it as long as you have worked for them for 1 year in the past?)

2. Ok, so you are gauranteed an interview if you are an internal hire and meet the hiring qualifications. However, after interviewing are they still likely to hire you if you don't have other pilot sponsors? Do they take you seriously? Or do you still have to have some connections to push your interview into the hiring pool?

Thanks a lot guys.

All comments on this or any related topic are WELCOME.

- G
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I'm not one for conspiracy theories..... But while it is a way to do it, but just try to lay low and be careful. A lot of guys, and managers, won't think too highly of you going in to do your time to then go be "one of those ****ing pilots" that make too much money... Someone can screw you.
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Can anyone define "sponser"? Does it have to a friend? A pilot?
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Quote: Can anyone define "sponser"? Does it have to a friend? A pilot?
Both. A friend, actually someone who you have flown with, who can vouch for your flying and personality.
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Quote: 1. Do you have to currently be employed at Fed Ex when you apply for the pilot position? (Or is it as long as you have worked for them for 1 year in the past?)

2. Ok, so you are gauranteed an interview if you are an internal hire and meet the hiring qualifications. However, after interviewing are they still likely to hire you if you don't have other pilot sponsors? Do they take you seriously? Or do you still have to have some connections to push your interview into the hiring pool?
Nothing is written in stone, but,.......right now even having a sponsor seems less help than your sponsor having a speed dialer
As of this year, your sponser, not only having to walk you in and (of course) fill out some computer forms, must also call in to arrange your "meet and greet". well that may seem simple enough, but no it isn't. They limit when you can call to schedule these appointments (it was 17 Apr for the last one) and, like a radio call show for free tickets to a concert, everybody (sponsors that is) were calling at the same time, 0800 Memphis local, Monday AM. I tried, on behalf of the guy I'm sponsoring and plain couldn't get through. Rang for over a hour, got lots of recorded messages about other calls and other "can't take your call now, please call back..." messages but no human answered. Wrote my ACP told him the phone where out of service and would he make the appointment, haven't even received a comment back there.
I feel bad for the guy's and gal's trying to get in here. If it wasn't so important and serious to those who are trying to get a job, it would be a comical farce. I just don't think it funny.
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