FDX Magic Word

[Boilermaker]

Good news: FDX hiring looks optimistic. Bad News: How long do you have to have an app in with a recommendation before you are considered???? Just wondering from those of you poolies and new hires how long you waited for the process to start and are there any magic words? Thanks all!

 

[MD80JAD]

I talked to the asst CP yesterday and he was telling me that the hiring forcasted in the bid was nothing compared to what will happen this year. He even mentioned hiring into the peak which I know is not the norm. He said besides the 48 which will come in 24 in sep and 24 in oct. possibly 24 in Nov and 12 in december. Then the 05 hiring will stay spooled up for about 200. Good news for you poolies and us with a lot of juniority. The time it takes from recognition of application to interview can be anywhere from a week to over a month but any one with the mins and the letters on file, its probably a good time to call your sponsor and ask him to talk to the hiring department to get you in.THE PLUMBERWhat does a Flight engineer do? I move stuff like my seat, coffee, air and fluids!

 

[C-17->Majors]

How to get a FedEx interview revisited

I just spent the past week listening to the VPs, department managers and the chief pilot paint a very bright future about hiring for the next few years.

For those of you who posted your online profile, paid your $50 and are patiently waiting for a phone call, let me give you some perspective about hiring here. FedEx uses a sponsorship system to select candidates to interview. The vast number of recommendations come from the crew force; someone you know is willing to take the time to go to his or her assistant chief pilot on your behalf.

Many of our several thousand qualified applicants won't have this luxury. Your options in this case seem to be waiting and hoping, have a chance encounter at an Airinc conference with someone from the hiring dept, or have your buddies get hired and then sponsor you. There is one other way that will virtually guarantee you an interview after one year. If you are serious about working here and have the option, got to your local FedEx ramp or facility and get a job. If you meet the minimums, you are essentially guaranteed an interview after a year of employment. Does a year seem too long? There are plenty of folks that have been on the street for three years now, ask them how long a year is.

Good news for furlougees. Although the company is not currently interviewing furloughees except from USAir, one year of employment can get you an interview as well.

Things look really good here right now. I think we are going to interview in numbers not seen since the postal contract surge a few years ago. Good news, unlike many others, we hire most of the folks that interview here. However, if you do get the call, get on the phone or e-mail Albie right away for help with the interview and sim. He promises not to keep his new seat pressed up against my desk in exchange for referring folks to him. Seriously, an interview at a major airline right now is a very big deal, be well prepared!

 

[ars225dh]

Is this sponsorship system you mention different from having an employee reference listed on my application?

My friend (FedEx pilot employee) is listed with his employee number on my app. He also did some thing on his end (online, I think) to confirm the recommendation he gave me.

 

[C-17->Majors]

No, your sponsor(s) need to speak to their asst chief pilot(s) on your behalf. You may want to take a trip to MEM in an interview suit and have them introduce you.

 

[LEROY]

I overheard someone talking about this "personal" face-to-face with the SCP. Is that the real deal? Can current employees still saunter in to JL's office with resume's, or do we have to tell our friends to fly up here?

 

[AV80R]

To C-17->Majors ...

"...one year of employment can get you an interview as well...”


I do have a friend who’s been looking into quitting his flying job to “throw boxes” for a year or so hoping for an interview. I must say the idea seems to make more sense to me for every day that goes by and lately I’ve been considering it as well. The way I understand the program is that you still need to meet the regular minimums, etc, but you also have to remain current. Is the flight currency based on the FAR’s or is there a specific number of hours FedEx requires, i.e. 50/month? Do they care if you maintain your currency in an Apache or a Seminole? Would you happen to know the pass/fail rate for those guys as opposed to the regular interview pool? Also, I heard it’s possible to sign a 3 year contract to work as a simulator instructor and then “flow through” to the main line. Is that true? Sorry about the many questions, trying to make some decisions… lol



“...Good news, unlike many others, we hire most of the folks that interview here...”

I went to an AirInc seminar several years ago and was told FedEx had some of the toughest interviews out there and that less than 30% made it through the process. Was the information incorrect? I sure hope so…

Thank you for your reply,
av80r

 

[C-17->Majors]

"I do have a friend who’s been looking into quitting his flying job to “throw boxes” for a year or so hoping for an interview."

I'm not sure if you should quit all flying to get an interview. Would anyone care to comment on this and the internal hiring process? Obviously you need the minimums at least to do this. I'm not sure how the company looks at these folks during the interview, but I am sure that you have to stand on your own merits as an aviator.

"I went to an AirInc seminar several years ago and was told FedEx had some of the toughest interviews out there and that less than 30% made it through the process. Was the information incorrect? I sure hope so…"

The latest info that I have heard plus antidotal evidence put the number at 20-30% being unsuccessful in the process. The sim is a show stopper, the rest a bit more subjective. If you get to this point, call Albie and ensure you get the money back guarantee he promises.

Best of Luck!

 

[TonyC]

To C-17->Majors ...

"...one year of employment can get you an interview as well...”


I do have a friend who’s been looking into quitting his flying job to “throw boxes” for a year or so hoping for an interview. I must say the idea seems to make more sense to me for every day that goes by and lately I’ve been considering it as well. The way I understand the program is that you still need to meet the regular minimums, etc, but you also have to remain current. Is the flight currency based on the FAR’s or is there a specific number of hours FedEx requires, i.e. 50/month? Do they care if you maintain your currency in an Apache or a Seminole? Would you happen to know the pass/fail rate for those guys as opposed to the regular interview pool? Also, I heard it’s possible to sign a 3 year contract to work as a simulator instructor and then “flow through” to the main line. Is that true? Sorry about the many questions, trying to make some decisions… lol

The internal hire process has been explained on this board several times before - - I imagine you can pull up a few posts using search for "FedEx internal hiring". (In fact, Here's one The critical item to consider is the fifth bullet under FedEx Pilot Careers Qualifications, namely:

• Recency and type of experience is considered

You've GOT to do something to keep flying, and the "what" and "how much" are not specified.

The simulator instructor position is a special exception to the internal hire process. You have the option of accomplishing the pilot interview up front, and if you "pass," upon completion of your 3-year commitment, you'll go to the line with the first class of newhires. It's a risk, though. I can tell you it's very demoralizing to see class after class of newhires come through the doors while you're in the first of your three year commitment to sim instructing.

I went to an AirInc seminar several years ago and was told FedEx had some of the toughest interviews out there and that less than 30% made it through the process. Was the information incorrect?

Yepp, it was incorrect. I don't know specific numbers, but I can assure you the vast majority of interviewees are offered employment.

 

[AV80R]

Thank you “C-17 -> Majors” & “TonyC” for your replies. I’ll try to rearrange my schedule and jumpseat to the DC AirInc job fair. Hopefully the FedEx recruiters will be able to give me some advice on what to do or not to do.



“…I have heard plus antidotal evidence put the number at 20-30% being unsuccessful in the process…”

“…I can assure you the vast majority of interviewees are offered employment…”


Great to hear the pass rate is so high. If I ever get a shot I’ll definitely do everything I can to be prepared. I have been doing some research and Albie has been part of the plan all along.


Thanks again, av80r