Ihateusernames

Btw. I have yet to meet a 40 year old Fedex Captain who doesn't look like they are 50. So. You can have whatever benefits you think you have. I'd rather have my health and good looks vs and extra $1k a month.


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ZapBrannigan

He isn't wrong about the block time. We fly the heck out of ourselves to earn an extra TFP or two. I'll bet that ages us every bit as much as the occasional hub turn. Especially with AM trips that show at 3:30 Gary time, and PM trips that don't block in until 2am Gary time.


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ANGFlight81

[QUOTE=ZapBrannigan;2447227]He isn't wrong about the block time. We fly the heck out of ourselves to earn an extra TFP or two. I'll bet that ages us every bit as much as the occasional hub turn. Especially with AM trips that show at 3:30 Gary time, and PM trips that don't block in until 2am Gary time.

Agree Zap, but the rest of his “facts” were bogus...

07Driver

[QUOTE=ANGFlight81;2447242]
Your mileage may vary. Those are the facts to me and what has been my personal experience. You can disagree because you’ve had a different experience.

To reiterate, every airline has some sort of premium pay option-SWA, UA, DAL, FEDEX
And just like SWA there are times when it is easy to roll in the dough, and times where you can’t find decent trips to pickup, if any at all.

Like Zap said, it’s just a job. You guys need to chill out and stop taking the criticisms personally, everyone wants different things and has different experiences.

07Driver

Did you get a FedEx rejection letter or something? You seem mad at FEDEX on this thread and the 2005 hires thread.

Ihateusernames

Never applied.


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Ihateusernames

Just to clarify. I never applied. I base my judgement on friends I have working there. We are close to same age and they look a lot more street worn. Maybe I'm just blessed w great skin. I doubt it and would bet the night life takes a toll.


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flyguy81

That and the LTD/medical issue were really the only things I didn’t care for out of the contract.

Tuck

I'm guessing you haven't met too many Fedex captains then. Frankly I'm not sure if I know any SWA 40 year old captains - about 1/4 of my Navy squadron went to Southwest - good guys but ALL overweight and grossly out of shape. They ALL said that trips beat them up - and this was even back when they were in their 30s - they were tired after. Most of my Fedex trips are mini-getaways - honestly. It's very rare that I return home after a trip tired or need time to recover. We've got Fedex senior Captains that do the Race Across America every year.

As far as money goes - like was said earlier, every airline has their perks. We have guys that regularly make $500K plus just on their pensionable wages - not counting their pension, B fund, and benefits. Our vacation is far superior than any other vacation in the industry.

I do think that lots of Fedex pilots have a different outlook on things - my goal is just about 1000 CH a year. If I get a trip at 150% one month then I'm likely to drop something and give me more time. Money and time off. I think almost every SWA guy I've seen is always chasing the money - if they can get some days off great, but money is by far the priority. I'm in a cycling group made up of pilots from my old squadron - we've got just about every airline represented except SWA - they are just far too busy to do that sort of thing. Nothing against that but it's a very different culture. Every SWA guy I've ever known has been a great guy but definitely concentrates on the pay - time off or long layovers (are there any?) don't ever factor in to the equation.

SWA is a great airline - seriously I really believe that, but like Fedex, it's not for everyone and has a very specific culture. One thing about Fedex - there is a huge variety of flying. Not so with SWA - your choices are mornings or nights and weekdays or weekends - otherwise it's all the same. No long layovers, few downtown hotels, no real international, one type of equipment...and that will be true for your entire career - it's what has made the company great. Nothing wrong with that just be sure you know what you're getting into.

BZC17

Real talk.... let’s stop comparing Swa and Fed ex.. I get it, both have perks. Swa’s perk is the ability to manipulate your schedule. Fed Ex’s is the ability to make money with a low block. To each their own.

Personally I’m too lazy to play the premium game. I average about 110 trips a month at 4th year pay and fulfill my duties on the mil side while also participating in family/social events.

Rsj does paint a pretty rosy picture so I get how people can become jaded against it. I am to lazy to be attached to my phone and I live in a pretty junior base.

In a the squad we have a smattering of different airline jobs(ups, fed ex, united, delta, american and swa ) . The only ones that actually enjoy working are the swa guys. Everyone else touts how little they have to work to get paid the minimum. Take it or leave it. I’m by no way a Swa koolie. It’s a job, but it is one that I actually enjoy doing.