FedEx FE

[cargohauling]

Have a class date coming up in MEM. It looks like we may have a choice between the (senority permitting) back of the 72 or the 10.

Could any FDX guys please share pros and cons.

Thanks, can't wait to get to MEM.

 

[BamaBoy]

727 vs. 10 FE

Cargo, this subject has been widely discussed in previous threads, but I'll give you my "quick and dirty" from the 727 perspective.
1. Training - the 727 FE school was somewhat intense, and I've heard the 10's training described as a "gentleman's program". Advantange - 10.
2. Pay - no difference the first year, and with the projected hiring rate, you probably won't be in either seat much more than a year. No significant advantage unless you plan to stay in the seat for a long time, then advantage 10.
3. Seniority - the vast majority of "over-60" guys go to the back of the 10, meaning that most new-hires will be sitting A Reserve (midnight - noon callouts) for the entire time they're in the back. The junior 727 FEs are practically all brand-new, so your relative seniority moves pretty quickly. Advantage - 727.
4. Trips - 727 flies domestic, with a lot of short-haul, multiple daily legs, shorter-duration trips. 10 flies primarily long-haul international, one or two legs/day, longer trips. Advantage - pick your poison.
Bottom line, pick the type of flying you want to do for a while, and base your decision on that. You will be upgrading quickly, and right seat training will be a lot easier if you're already comfortable with the systems, not to mention the fact that you'll enjoy your time in the back more as well.
Standard disclaimer - I've only been here 7 months, and I've only seen the back of the Boeing, hopefully some other FDX brethren will add their insight.
Good luck - you can't go wrong either way - and welcome aboard.

Roll Tide,
Bama

 

[cargohauling]

What are the reserve lines for 72 vs. 10 FE. Week on week off?
Thanks

 

[seefive]

there will be much more movement in the back of the 727 which will lead to better trips. the 10 has better trips in general to begin with. congrats and good luck. i'd probably say the 727 would be the better bet.

 

[USNFDX]

Commuter= 727

Live in Memphis= 10

 

[fdxdisco]

Minor correction. The DC-10 does very little international now. Only San Juan and Brazil. They both go senior and they've also gone to our lease guys.

I've flown back seats in both and the 10 is by far the best job of the two. You don't go small airports in the 10.

I once had a DC-10 captain tell me there are two airlines at Fedex, the 727 and the wide bodies. The wide body guys have it much better.

Anyway, my two cents worth.
Disco

 

[Purpledog]

Where do you live. If you live in a small town that the 72 flies to, you might want to go for it.

 

[Echopapa]

Minor correction. The DC-10 does very little international now. Only San Juan and Brazil. They both go senior and they've also gone to our lease guys.

I've flown back seats in both and the 10 is by far the best job of the two. You don't go small airports in the 10.

I once had a DC-10 captain tell me there are two airlines at Fedex, the 727 and the wide bodies. The wide body guys have it much better.

Anyway, my two cents worth.
Disco

Correction to the minor correction. The 10 does not go to either San Juan or Brazil any more. All domestic except for GDL.

 

[Huck]

I've been on the -10 panel since September, and I'm still #5 from the bottom. Over half of the list is over 60.

But soon they'll be going back to the left seat....

 

[fdxdisco]

Echopapa, thanks for the update. Haven't been on the panel in 4 years. Maybe that splains why all the DC10 guys are coming over to the Mad Dog.

Purpledog- I was in Tucson when I was on the panel. I thought the best week I'd every have was when I got a 727 Tucson line. Turned out to be the hardest week I've ever flown. I never got any sleep. Some guys can do it. A lot guys, who bid their home town, end up sleeping in the hotel just to get some rest.

As far as the airplane and panel goes the DC-10 is an easier job. I enjoyed the 10 much more than the 27.

Disco

 

[2Aoff1Bon]

Agree with everything said so far. Will just add only that with the hiring going at the present rate, movement up the list in the 27 is really fast. I have been on the panel one year, and bid at 57% for April. See ya next month, Disco!

 

[Purpledog]

A lot guys, who bid their home town, end up sleeping in the hotel just to get some rest.

I too stay in the hotel. However it is nice to have a double DH that shaves 2 days off my trip and 4 off the month.

 

[FedEx1]

A lot of the 727's aren't RVSM capable, so looking forward to picking thru the thunderstorms at FL260. And the ice. And the bumps. At least the radiation is less.

And the 727 is so LOUD. That is a good thing only when you fly with chatty cappy's, keeps 'em quiet at 4 am. But I'd rather have the quiet. Noise raises your stress level.
I gave up a DC-10 back seat for an MD-11 right seat. But junior man on the back of the -10 would be better than some of the 727 stuff. Can I just say BOS-IND????

 

[Echopapa]

A lot of the 727's aren't RVSM capable, so looking forward to picking thru the thunderstorms at FL260. And the ice. And the bumps. At least the radiation is less.

And the 727 is so LOUD. That is a good thing only when you fly with chatty cappy's, keeps 'em quiet at 4 am. But I'd rather have the quiet. Noise raises your stress level.
I gave up a DC-10 back seat for an MD-11 right seat. But junior man on the back of the -10 would be better than some of the 727 stuff. Can I just say BOS-IND????

This is not quite accurate....I flew with a structural engineer a week ago that said that only one 727 was not RVSM. Let me preface this by saying I am not a "Boeing" guy, but sounds like most of the fleet is converted.

 

[Purpledriver]

This is not quite accurate....I flew with a structural engineer a week ago that said that only one 727 was not RVSM. Let me preface this by saying I am not a "Boeing" guy, but sounds like most of the fleet is converted.

I'm not a structural engineer, but I do fly the right seat of the 727 at FedEx and I can assure you that most of our 727 are not (at least not yet) RSVM capable. MD-11 school can't come fast enough.

 

[Falconjet]

Concur with Purpledriver: I've only flown on 2 (count em) that were RSVM compliant so far, and I've been flying a pretty fair amount lately. Whoever your structural engineer source is Echo they are not up to speed on the configuration of the Boeing fleet.

By the way, I would recommend the Boeing due to the fact that most of the newhires will be going there and you will be able to get off reserve pretty quickly. With so many senior folks in the -10, the reduction in their flying, and the small number of new hires coming behind you, you could be on reserve until you are able to bid up to a window seat. That might not be too long (right now), but if things slow down where would you rather be, holding a line in the Boeing or sitting reserve in the -10. Nice to have the choice if you are senior enough in your class to get a pick.

FJ

 

[IrishSkies]

Have a class date coming up in MEM. It looks like we may have a choice between the (senority permitting) back of the 72 or the 10.

Welcome aboard!

Thought you would like to know I saw P.D. today (your welcome letter will explain the initials if you don't know who that is) and you are right, looks like 8 seats to the back of the 10 for each of the Apr classes and maybe a handfull (7 or 8) for all the May folks.
Good Luck - I know everyone who gets the K.D. phone call is giddy about getting here but it's nice to know what your choices might be.