Fed Ex / UPS

[Tweaker]

This question is for pilots for Fed Ex or UPS. Do you think it would improve my chances of eventually getting a job flying for them if I got a job elsewhere in the company while I am between flying jobs? I am considering looking for a job delivering packages or in the distribution centers. It pays well, and I think that if it would increase the odds of getting an interview later it would be worth it. I don't know any pilots for them, and I don't know how I ever will. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[sandman2122]

Absolutley at FedEx.

 

[busdrver]

Absolutely, positively at Fedex.

 

[TonyC]

Click here: FedEx internal hiring



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.

 

[AV80R]

Tweaker,
I went to the AIRInc job seminar just over a week ago and had a chance to ask the very same question to the FedEx recruiters (Ms. Daniels). She was very nice and very friendly but the impression I got was “well, it’s a possibility but…” She emphasized the currency requirement and when I mentioned my idea of flying part time jobs and flight instructing as a way of staying current, she didn’t seem too excited about that. She did like my current flight experience and my “progression” and thought that if I had more “sponsors” (still working on it ) I‘d be very competitive. Maybe she was just trying to get me to keep working on my support network?

Everyone’s situation is different. In my case, I’m thinking about resigning from my current flying job in order to work as a package handler hoping for an interview. Well, maybe she just didn’t want me to replace a flying job with a hope for an interview? I wonder if the advice would have been the same if my resume said “furloughed?” I wish I’d asked but the line behind me was sooo long and I had already asked so many questions; didn’t want to push it.

I believe though that if I was a furloughed pilot this would’ve been the perfect thing to do. Especially if I had been laid off from a major airline, which I am not, this would’ve been an ideal job. For one, at FedEx this would have “erased” the status of being furloughed from another major airline. Also, it’d have given me a chance to learn more about the company culture, get to know people, etc.

Tweaker, I am not telling you to go for it or to forget it because I don’t know myself. I’m still not sure what to do and I keep exploring all the possibilities. I just wanted to share the info I got during the seminar. Also, do a search, lots of great advice from TonyC and other FedEx insiders on the program. Plz keep me posted on what you decide and I’ll do the same.


Good luck 2 u. av80r

 

[BIGBROWNDC8]

As for UPS,
I hope I can explain this (from what I understand) and not sound too confusing. UPS likes it if you have other experience other than flying. (Especially throwing UPS boxes or delivering UPS boxes) They like to see that people have struggled or sacraficed to get where they are in life. That being said, I think if they know you got a job throwing boxes for the sole purpose of getting ahead for a flying position with them, they might not like it. Ive never heard anything official regarding this, but knowing what I know about the relationship between pilots and "others" in the company. (IMHO) It seems like they wouldnt like you using "their jobs" to get one of "our jobs." (us and them mentallity)

There is another side to this, Say you end up working for some boxhead punk who is you supervisor. He/she doesnt like you because he knows that one day you are going to be a pilot making 5 times his salary and he will still be a boxhead throwing packages and gives you bad evals or gets you fired... Then you will never get hired here...

This is a great place to be, however there is a large devide between the pilots/mechanics and anyone else that works here.

My advice (if you want it) focus on flying if flying is what you want to do as a career. Study everything about UPS/FedEx and know all you can about the company before you get the interview. If you have extra time, work on getting the interview (connections/LOR's/Etc)...

Again, this is speculation, Ive never heard anything official from UPS regarding this. I have met pilots here that use to throw boxes for UPS BEFORE they started flying, Ive never met any that got a job throwing boxes after they were a Professional pilot...

Good luck

BigbrownDC8

 

[BrownTailGuy]

Tweaker,

I threw boxes for UPS while I was in college. During my interview I mentioned that very fact to the interviewers and they both said "we noticed that" so I suggest it might not hurt.

I do believe however that the best way to get aninterview here at UPS is to fly a lot, and get to know as many pilots as you can and more importantly a manager of some sort here at Big Brown. I think if you find a manager that is not a pilot might be best. If you get them to write you a letter it may give you an edge to get an interview. But throwing boxes wouldn't hurt. Just FYI getting a drivers job right away is very hard to do.

 

[767-300ER]

Getting a pilot recommendation is the single biggest hurdle to getting an interview at UPS.

You don't need a manager's recommendation (although it certainly would help), as when I was on probation I was able to get 2 guys interviews. And mine was their only referral.

If you have a UPS recommendation with good quality time (ex-military; left seat on a large jet; lots of left seat commuter time) or they liked you at an AIR Inc. conference, you stand a decent chance of getting called.

 

[de727ups]

"Getting a pilot recommendation is the single biggest hurdle to getting an interview at UPS."

Nope...the biggest single hurdle to getting an interview at UPS is for us to start hiring again...hehe.

 

[AV80R]

“I have met pilots here that use to throw boxes for UPS BEFORE they started flying, Ive never met any that got a job throwing boxes after they were a Professional pilot...” BIGBROWNDC8

“I threw boxes for UPS while I was in college.” BROWNTAILGUY

At the job fair I ran into a guy who’s now at Mesaba and who used to throw boxes for UPS (5 years). He said that he started working for UPS before he had any serious flight experience and then had to resign in order to build quality flight time. Apparently, once you resign you can never come back. That’s why he can never work there. Is that true? I’m confused. Browntailguy – did you have to resign your position in order to build flight time? Were there any repercussions for doing that? I guess not since you’re at UPS now?

Bigbrowndc8 – how did the pilots you’ve met who threw boxes BEFORE flying manage to build their flight experience? Did they have to resign their positions at UPS once the got hired at a regional?


Sorry about the many questions, this is pretty important subject to me and many others. Thanks for your help, av80r.

 

[sgu]

Me too

I also worked at UPS while in college and hope to rejoin the company as a pilot. I do have someone to write me a Lor and looking for some more to cheer me on. I hope 2005 will be a good year!

 

[Meat n the Seat]

Ups

I was a commuter pilot/ checkairman and was fortunate to make the aquaintance of the director of ops wife. She asked if I had ever concidered employment with UPS. Needless to say...SHWINNGGG!. Application arrived in the mail within a week, interview within 2 weeks. Prepped my a$$ off, was not going to be denied. Long story short, went through the bs at the begining of the interview with the rest of the hopefuls, got to the one on one interview. and was instantly shot down. No talk of qualifications, experience, reasons for wanting the job, etc.... The fact that I had loaded semi trailers for them during two the holiday season when I was 18 and 19 years old constituted working for them before. It was explained to me in a very nasty tone that UPS does NOT hire those who have worked for them before and were arrogant enough to resign. There is (was) a line on the first page of the application, asking if you have ever worked there before. These people didn't even read my app. prior to calling me in for the interview (Or they wanted some cheap intertainment to break up the task of interviewing flight crews).
If you want to work at UPS, find out their current policy regarding prior employment with the company, and being eligible for employment as a flight crew member!...Good luck to all!

 

[flybrowntails]

for what its worth--maybe nothing--

3 in my class had worked for brown previously.

fbt

 

[BIGBROWNDC8]

AV8OR,
I wish I knew the specifics about the guys who had the experience of throwing boxes. Truth be told, I dont even remember specifically who they are, I just remember talking with a few people who said they had thrown boxes in a previous life. This was a few years ago.

Again, My advice for UPS if you want it. Dont bother trying to backdoor an interview with this boxes idea. Fly your ass off, become as compitive as possible, learn everything about the company as you can and seek out a LOR that has some substance... Substance = (I hate to say it again), but usually its an ACP (Assistant Chief Pilot) Management guy (box head) or a Management Pilot in that order of significants. LORs from line guys doesnt go very far here, this place doesnt value us line pilots as an asset as much as they value their own (management). I may be wrong, but I dont think so.

 

[AV80R]

Bigbrowndc8,

Thanks 4 your advice.

Also, are check airman, simulator instructors, etc. part of your “Management” or are they considered to be line pilots, (although with good seniority)? In other words, do you think a simulator instructor’s recommendation would be as valuable or more/less valuable than a line pilot’s. I know it’s all a guessing game, but maybe you have an idea on the subject?



Thanks again, av80r.

 

[Tweaker]

In my case, this is not simply a situation of quitting a flying job to try to backdoor a flying job. I have been terminated under questionable conditions from a regional Captain position. If you want to hear more about that, don't ask, see post in regional section. Long story short, I will not have a grievance hearing for 6-7 months. I am optimistic about getting re-instated, but I am not optimistic that US Airways will be in existance by that time. (8-9 months)


I am trying to A) find a job to pay the mortgage and keep my kids in underoos
and B) increase my chances to get a job at my ultimate goal airlines (FedEx/UPS)


Some of the posts scared me in regards to any perveived arrogance to resign and then try to work there again. I am going to have to make a decision about this job today or tommorrow.

 

[T-Gates]

Can anyone confirm or deny that the nepotisim policy has been dropped? I keep hearing different things on the matter.... Last I heard if your relative would not be in direct supervison of you, your good to go. (In my case, not even close, father works in Marketing at Corporate)

Thanks for any input.... And if any you UPS guys stop through CAE at night, come by and say hi to the guys on the Shorts!

 

[AZaviator]

In regards to the original question, what if you threw boxes for UPS or (in my case) Fed Ex, whenyou were in college while working on your ratings over 5 years ago? Would this hold any weight at all when applying or would it not considering it was 5yrs ago?

 

[Falconjet]

Yes

Azaviator:

To repeat what the others from FedEx said: Yes, absolutely, positively it will help you at FedEx if you threw boxes earlier in life. How much help, who knows, but it does help some. I've flown with lots of guys who threw boxes in HS or college and the best part is they get to keep their original employee numbers so it appears that they are super senior. Very impressive at Yia Yia's I'm sure. Anyway, it can't hurt, so list it if you did it.

Good luck.

FJ

 

[Clyde]

In regards to the original question, what if you threw boxes for UPS or (in my case) Fed Ex, whenyou were in college while working on your ratings over 5 years ago? Would this hold any weight at all when applying or would it not considering it was 5yrs ago?

AZaviator,
I threw boxes while I was a flight instructor. Left to go get some good quality flight time and then reapplied. I was able to get rec's from my supervisors when I was there previously in addition to pilot recs. This seemed to help and was discussed in my interview. Not saying that previous experience will guarantee anything, but I don't see how it could hurt.

 

[klhoard]

Yia-yia's

. . . <snip>. . so it appears that they are super senior. Very impressive at Yia Yia's I'm sure. Anyway, it can't hurt, so list it if you did it.

Good luck.

FJ

There is a current copy of the seniority list in the women's bathroom.

Those chicks know what you can hold. . .

 

[Falconjet]

Klhoard: Now thats what I'm talking about!

FJ

 

[AZaviator]

Appreciate the info/advice Clyde and Falconjet.