Snap shot for April has 272 regular lines: (28 day month)
~23% (62) have one trip, average length 11-12 days
~72% (197) have two trips. Anywhere from 9 work days to the max of 15. 40% of the two trip lines work 12 days with a pretty even split after that between 11 or 13 work days on almost all the rest (50%). The other 10% are either max days off or min days off with a slight majority toward the good side. Trip variety between the two for the month is extreme. Anything from two 6-days to a 12-day and a 3-day or almost any other combination you can think of.

The other 5% consists of one line of EWR pm out and backs. 4 per week(Tue-Fri), 3 of the 4 weeks (12 work days), leave around 1500 back around midnight-thirty. There are also 8 lines of STN and 4 of CGN. Either STN or CGN is one 2-day trip (45-48 hours TAFB) per week. One leg over, 24 off, one leg back. Basically 8 works days for the month if you live in MEM. Believe it or not, they often are the most junior lines awarded. Obviously not real commuter friendly as commuting into them ~5 hours earlier on the evening FedEx jumpseat is currently frowned on. So, you either come in off line or the morning of and spend the day in MEM.

Not committed? I should have been committed! Left for 5 years and after 11 years at a regional, 9/11, a merger, a bankruptcy, age 65, 8 years to upgrade, I needed a break! If they frown upon that, so be it. But I was home with my newborn son and daughter for 5 years, ran a successful business and learned other skills I used for a couple of those years in the back of an ambulance! Can I fly an airplane, show up to work on time and stay at one company until I retire? Yes!

Can I fly an airplane, show up to work on time and stay at one company until I retire? Yes![/QUOTE]

So can 15,000 other guys with no break in flying. I think thats what the point was about a break in flying.

So can 15,000 other guys with no break in flying. I think thats what the point was about a break in flying.[/QUOTE]

Like I said, so be it.

The internet wins again!

It didn't used to be a big deal at FedEx if you had a major break in flying. It seemed inconsequential. However, I would get in contact with Albie's company or a similar one, to find out the real deal.

That is, if you actually want the job. Then you figure out what it takes.

I understand completely, and had a pretty similar experience as you. My Fedex sponsor and good friend went in to ask about my application some time in 2010 or 2011 and was asked why I left XYZ airways to become a firefighter and also why it took 5 years to graduate from college. Doesn't matter if that company shut down and it was a period of little hiring including the regionals. Nor did it matter that I worked full time while completing my degree. I even had returned and been flying for the last 5 years before he asked about my application. They really don't understand, perhaps because stuff like that never happens to them. All they see is someone not committed to a flying career because you didn't take any p.o.s. flying job. Don't forget the majority hired there come from the military and follow the same script.

I'm sure it's frustrating not getting the call you want but please put the broad brush back in the paint can. We've got plenty of military guys on their second or third airline thanks to furloughs from majors, companies like World, Gemini, ATA folding, and older guys from Eastern and Pan Am.

There's a pretty even mix of backgrounds in leadership positions at FedEx and within the group making hiring decisions. I don't know what "script" you're referring to but competition is what it is. For every guy that decided to leave the industry for a period of time for whatever reason, there are plenty more that didn't. If airline X has an issue with you making that choice, it's their playground/their rules. 5 years out of the cockpit is significant and if that's the only thing separating you and another candidate, you shouldn't be surprised he gets the nod.

Everybody in my food chain is all-civilian, up to JB, I believe.....

Guys/Gals,
I didn't mean to start anything. All I did was post what I have, no more no less. Yes I took 5 years off, but I came back. I have a flow to American in 4 to 5 years, will that be around when it's my time? I hope so. But I have seen the broken promises and I'm looking for a future for me and my family. I have no sponsors or know anybody at FedEx, so I am just another mature hopeful trying to get hired. That's all. You all fly safe! And I will keep the faith!