Delta vs FedEx

[ASA]

Seriously, here's my situation. I live just outside of NYC, currently commute to ATL for AirTran. Been here just over 2 years. Got an interview with Delta in a few weeks, but also probably will have one with FedEx when they start up again.

If you lived at one of Delta's bases (I might move to Atl or stay right here), how would you compare the two? I don't care about flying pax at all, BUT I'd like to maximize time at home, and even though I know FedEx has great schedules and great pay, it still seems you spend quite a bit of time away from home.

5 and 6 day pairings, etc. I could more easily see 1 trip to Europe and back per week, a 3-day trip, every week vs spending these huge blocks of time away, such as doing a 12-day intl trip with FedEx spending 72 hours at a hotel somewhere.

Looking for some guidance from those with experience on this. I know I should lean towards FedEx simply for more job security (considering I pass either interview), but just not sure. Thanks.

 

[ACL65PILOT]

My buddy at Fed Ex is on the 11 flies one 12 day trip a month. He is in the right seat and makes anywhere from 10-12K a month. Granted he is been there since 2000, but he likes the life.
That said. Go to DAL take a the job, and then if you want go to FedEx later. Come see what DAL has to offer, you may not want to leave. We do work a lot on the junior equipment, but the crews are great. remember that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. You never know what may happen with Fed Ex or DAL for that fact, but you do know one thing. You have an interview here, and THINK you may get one at Fed Ex.

 

[phishn@daves]

What's a bush in the hand worth?

 

[71KILO]

Go to Delta, junior base is NYC. You might be a line holder pretty darn quick.

 

[propjob27]

I'm with the poster who said "Go to Delta first".

Then, when/if the FedEX interview comes, and following that,when/IF you get hired, THEN you'll have a decision to make.

Right now you really don't. Your thread should be entiled Delta vs AirTran.

Who knows when we'll actually start interviewing over here again, you could have plenty of time to wait.

 

[Sinca3]

Fed Ex should start interviewing the end of first quarter ¨08. There might be a pretty good chance a new hire could be assigned to an over seas domicile. That would suck if you want to be home more (unless you move to your domicle) My buddy on the MD11 right seat with a 2004 hire date is sitting at home in S. Florida 18 days a month making over 100k a year.

Delta seems to be a good place to be in the near future...timing is everything! If you didn´t get NYC as a new hire I can almost guarantee you would get the award very soon, as very few want to live there. They are projected to grow over the next 5 years. The current concessionary contract is up for renegotiations in 2010 and I would expect to see some gains in pay for one.
Good Luck

 

[AAflyer]

Seriously, here's my situation. I live just outside of NYC, currently commute to ATL for AirTran. Been here just over 2 years. Got an interview with Delta in a few weeks, but also probably will have one with FedEx when they start up again.

If you lived at one of Delta's bases (I might move to Atl or stay right here), how would you compare the two? I don't care about flying pax at all, BUT I'd like to maximize time at home, and even though I know FedEx has great schedules and great pay, it still seems you spend quite a bit of time away from home.

5 and 6 day pairings, etc. I could more easily see 1 trip to Europe and back per week, a 3-day trip, every week vs spending these huge blocks of time away, such as doing a 12-day intl trip with FedEx spending 72 hours at a hotel somewhere.

Looking for some guidance from those with experience on this. I know I should lean towards FedEx simply for more job security (considering I pass either interview), but just not sure. Thanks.

ASA,

Go where YOU want to go. No one holds a crystal ball. As evident by what happened during 9/11. Look where people had been going, look at where people had left. Who knows what the future holds for ANY airline.

Look at where you want to live, what equiptment you want to fly, and the variety of flying the company offers.

In the end it is a personal choice, and you and your family's happiness.

Best Of Luck,

AAflyer

 

[GogglesPisano]

BUT I'd like to maximize time at home,

.

Then don't commute.

Living near NYC gives you a relatively unique advantage (85% of the NYC base commutes) in that reserve won't be too painful as long as you can get from your house to one of the 3 NYC airports in a "reasonable amount of time." NYC is the junior domicile. I am looking at holding a line at the 6-month mark in the 73n (I imagine it would be a lot sooner in the 88 and a lot longer in the ER.)

You will make more money and have more job security at FedEx. However, nothing is guaranteed, commuting sucks, and flying cargo is a whole different animal than flying pax (ie: it's not for everyone.)

 

[LIGHTDRIVER]

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[AlbieF15]

A big question next year for some guys will be:

Do I leave Delta/start my class at SWA OR do I go to FedEx and suck up the Hong Kong or Paris life for 3-5 years?

Historically, job security at the freight companies has been outstanding. Some guys were willing to pass industry leading contracts at UAL or DAL to come here. Then 9/11 happened, and we by default became not only the most secure, but the most lucrative job in airline aviation.

So what will the next 5 years bring? Open Skies might mean more competition for SWA and DAL, but it might mean more business, too. What happens when these companies get their new contracts? While dollar for dollar UPS or FDX beat DAL today, what will be the case in 2012 or 2015?

How important are passes to you and your family? I have arguable one of the best jobs in the industry, and I haven't never sweated a paycheck not clearing. I have a great Q of life. However, I know one Delta buddy who windsurfs with his family in Aruba almost every month. I bumped into another family on the way to Dubrovnik (sp?) for a vacation/tour about a month back. Logically--I will tell you I can pick up a trip or two and pay for tickets for my entire family. Practically I will tell you--we haven't done that yet (my bad!). My point is there are some perks to a legacy job that are nice, and while perhaps the money isn't as high (now) or as secure I doubt any of us got into this job just for the money.

So--imagine you are a SWA guy living in domicile humping it out but having fun, or a Delta 767 ER guy flying back and forth to Europe. Kim Daniels called and said "we want you here next month...", but she also advises the classes are being filled for Hong Kong. That means you can move over for first year pay + 2700 a month, and your next year you'll make 120 + 2700 extra month. You get some coach tickets home every six months but your family cannot just walk to the airport and travel. You are riding a bus (literally) 2-4 hours to start a trip in the middle of the night at CAN. You'll do this for 3 years minimum, then bid back to MEM when you can hold it and there is a vacancy bid. Plan on 4-5 years by the time you get your training letter. When you get back to MEM, you are the junior guy, so you will sit A reserve, or middle of the night reserve, for 15 or 19 days a month to make your guarantee.

So--what is my point? For some guys, FDX and all it offers will still be the primo choice. Foreign assignments may be looked at as either a great adventure or a chance to make a solid paycheck for a few years. (We've had some regional guys go VFR direct to Subic for this reason). On the other hand, if you are along in your life and have kids approaching high school, have ties to your community, family concerns due to health or custody issues--well--the foreign assignment makes FDX likely a tertiary choice behind some other companies.

So--back to your question--which one? Prepare for both. When you get the FDX invite--go. If you get hired there--assess. Where will I live? How much will I make? Am I willing to accept the tradeoffs?

My prediction is my great company is going to have a lot of great guys and gals go "hmmm--thanks--but I'll pass for now...." when they look at what they will be expected to do to join the team here. At least for a little while, we are going to be hiring a different demographic.

Good luck whatever you do....