FedEx hiring with no rec

GogglesPisano · Dec 20, 2005

Is it even worth applying without an internal recommendation?

Would having an MD11 type and int'l experience help the process?

WorldOnTime · Dec 20, 2005

Throw the dice...

One thing is for sure, you won't get hired without applying. The MD-11 time and intl ops I am sure would be a plus. However, I am not sure it would get a chance to get brought up without having a sponsor, recs, etc, etc... It might be worth the $$ to apply, then when you do get a sponsor, you can say "I applied way back when I didn't even know anyone there. That's how bad I want to work here." That would be my angle anyhow. I just finished IOE in November. A year ago, I didn't know anyone here. Things can happen pretty quick is what I am saying. Good luck and Happy Holidays.

inline · Dec 20, 2005

GogglesPisano said:
Is it even worth applying without an internal recommendation?

Would having an MD11 type and int'l experience help the process?

If all your time is civilian then even with your experience chances are slim. It's pretty much a closed shop for non-military pilots. Yes, they do hire a few token civilians but over 95% are military.

seefive · Dec 20, 2005

inline said:
If all your time is civilian then even with your experience chances are slim. It's pretty much a closed shop for non-military pilots. Yes, they do hire a few token civilians but over 95% are military.

That's not true at all. I'd say about 1/3 of the new hires as a minimum over the last year have been civilian.

Flapjack · Dec 20, 2005

If all your time is civilian then even with your experience chances are slim. It's pretty much a closed shop for non-military pilots.

That's just not true. Lots of recent hires are turboprop only, civilian only regional types. Myself included. What you do need is someone at FedEx to stand up for you.

HoursHore · Dec 20, 2005

Class of 47, 12 Pure Civ. 15 Pure Mil, the rest had a combination. 13 Furloughed Major.
The Fed Ex Is Mil Only rumor is BS.
However, It Does take an internal reccomendation. That is true.

JethroF15 · Dec 20, 2005

inline said:
If all your time is civilian then even with your experience chances are slim. It's pretty much a closed shop for non-military pilots. Yes, they do hire a few token civilians but over 95% are military.

Now back in the clown car with you circus boy!:smash:

WorldOnTime · Dec 20, 2005

inline said:
If all your time is civilian then even with your experience chances are slim. It's pretty much a closed shop for non-military pilots. Yes, they do hire a few token civilians but over 95% are military.

Absolute BS. Half of my class had some kind of civilian 121 flying. There were three of us that had never touched a military aircraft.

Caveman · Dec 20, 2005

"Class of 47, 12 Pure Civ. 15 Pure Mil, the rest had a combination."

IOW, about 75% were military.

"Half of my class had some kind of civilian 121 flying. There were three of us that had never touched a military aircraft."

3 out of how many? 40?

I don't agree with the assertion that 95% of FedEx new hires are military, but there does appear to be somewhat of a bias.

AlbieF15 · Dec 20, 2005

...as a pretty good source of info on FDX newhires, I can say the idea that FDX hires only (or mostly) military is horse$hit. We hire corporate, regional, other airline guys, and some really different backgrounds. The "the always hire military.." is a double edge sword, as there have been more than a few guys who walked in here thinking it was automatic since they flew in the military and knew "so and so" here but still ended up with a "no thanks" letter in the mail.

FDX wants quality, leadership, experience, and work ethic. Only a 2-ship flight lead after 800 hours in a fighter? Someone may say "hmmmm.." Ever been an LCA or Sim IP at a regional? Guess what--they seem to like that. The traits I see successful candidates have at FDX is they GO ABOVE THE JOB MINIMUMS when it comes to qualifications. There are plenty of average line guys who've been hired here, but the ones who seem to sail through are the dudes who have done that extra type of stuff.

Wanna get civilian numbers up an airline? Start an airline specific (Mesaba, Pinnacle, ASA, ATA, World, etc) network list and support one another. Nobody gets hired anymore being the lone ranger--it takes a lot of help.

Caveman · Dec 20, 2005

According to AirInc 58% of all pilots interviewed at FedEx from Aug 04 to Jul 05 had military flying experience. That's a 3/2 advantage.

Flapjack · Dec 21, 2005

"That's a 3/2 advantage."

No, that's not an advantage, it's a statistic. To this point, there have been more military types networking with their friends, resulting in higher numbers of military types getting hired, who in turn recommend their military buddies. Just like Albie said, if you want more civilians hired at your airline, get to networking. It's as simple as that.

You are not in any way disadvantaged as a civilian to get hired at FedEx.

dojetdriver · Dec 21, 2005

GogglesPisano said:
Is it even worth applying without an internal recommendation?

Would having an MD11 type and int'l experience help the process?

Are you tired of World Already?

SFR · Dec 21, 2005

Why would anyone want to work for FedEx anyway? It is jst not as cool as flying pax. Who cares about th $$$ and stability.

Caveman · Dec 21, 2005

"To this point, there have been more military types networking with their friends, resulting in higher numbers of military types getting hired, who in turn recommend their military buddies."

I agree and it's that snowball effect that gives ex-mil an advantage in getting an interview at FedEx. I never said civilians couldn't get hired, but the statistics prove the original point that it is easier for an ex-mil to get an interview with FedEx. No question that is all about networking. The fact remains that being prior mil gives you access to a network of folks that isn't available to civilians. Nothing wrong with that and I'm not complaining about it. It's just the way it is. Why are the ex-mil folks so quick to say it ain't so when it clearly is?

Somebody said FedEx hires 95% ex-mil. I said I don't think it's that high of a percentage but there is a bias. All of a sudden the folks are trying to shout down anybody that disagrees with them. So, I pull up a statistic from a reputable source proving that there is an advantage and you guys still want to claim there isn't. Why so defensive? It's an advantage. Use it. I would if I could and if I wanted to work for FedEx (I don't. Great company but the vampire bit doesn't work for me.).

AlbieF15 · Dec 21, 2005

Caveman--your info is valid and professionally presented. I don't think you were the target of any blasts. The "...oh heck--no point in trying if you ain't military..." type posters were the source of agitation.

Same stats....42 out of 100 FDX hires have NEVER been in military aviation. Does that make those without military ties feel like they have a shot? In my mind it should.

GogglesPisano · Dec 21, 2005

dojetdriver said:
Are you tired of World Already?

Not at all. Just keeping an open mind about my career, as we all should.

semperfido · Dec 21, 2005

Caveman said:
"To this point, there have been more military types networking with their friends, resulting in higher numbers of military types getting hired, who in turn recommend their military buddies."

.

this is, in fact, a challenge any civil aviators have to overcome. most of the really good jobs out there are word of mouth and who you know type of deals. the military, being an exclusive club has the network built in.

av8er23 · Dec 21, 2005

JethroF15 said:
Now back in the clown car with you circus boy!:smash:

I am still rolling in the floor from this comment....

Flapjack · Dec 21, 2005

"Why are the ex-mil folks so quick to say it ain't so when it clearly is?"

By the way, I am a civilian-only guy at FedEx. I am only trying to make the point that there is a difference between advantage and bias. I'm not trying to shout anyone down, but I have to call BS on the bias.

When one says that there is a bias, it sounds like it's inherent in FedEx's actual hiring practice. I don't consider it a bias when everyone plays by the same rules (i.e. you need a sponsor to get hired). You get a sponsor, you have your fair shot. Once you are in the system, I think it's a fair deal.

Sure, there could be an advantage if you were prior military and you happen to know a ton of pilots at FedEx who will vouch for you. Just like if you live in Memphis you probably know a bunch of FedEx pilots who will vouch for you. Advantage, Memphis pilots!

Why are there more military pilots at FedEx? Perhaps because many of them are not averse to flying at night because they have done it before while flying for Uncle Sam. Most of my friends in the passenger-only world live in fear of the "vampire bit"...they have never flown at night, and assume the worst. I recall that pre 9/11 most of my (civilian / pax flying) friends never even applied to FedEx yet had apps out to every passenger airline out there, good or bad, that operated a Boeing or Airbus product. Even in today's job market, many people won't take FedEx as a last resort because they would have to fly at night for 6-8 months. IMO, dislike for night flying by civilian / passenger only background pilots is a significant factor as to why you have more military pilots here. Now that FedEx is cool, we are seeing an uptick in civilian new hires. The trend will continue.