FedEx hiring with no rec

[AlbieF15]

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]

Are you tired of World Already?

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

 

[semperfido]

"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]

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

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

 

[Flapjack]

"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.

 

[FastCargo]

Is it even worth applying without an internal recommendation?

FedEx has hired before without an internal recommendation...but it's been VERY rare. Typically, it's happened when they've needed pilots, but very few are applying. During the 2000/early 2001 timeframe, everyone was going with PAX carriers because life was good there, little night flying etc. As a result, FedEx probably relaxed their 'internal recommendation' qualification for bit because they needed pilots for the mail contract that was pending. I can imagine that those guys who got interviewed/hired without an internal probably had more emphasis on their background checks and interview.

Unfortunately, that's not the situation anymore, at least not for the forseeable future. I'd apply, and keep your record updated, but realise you could be waiting a while. And like everyone else said here...network, network, network...and network some more!

Good luck!

FastCargo

 

[Caveman]

Bias vs advantage. It's semantics. I used both terms. I agree there is no company policy favoring one group. The bias/advantage lies in the fact the ex-mil network is dominant at FedEx.

"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 was agreeing with you until this part. That's a crock. I don't like the 'vampire bit' meaning I don't want to work on the back side of the clock. It's got nothing to do with flying when it's dark outside. I've never, ever met another pro pilot that said they were afraid to fly at night. All my friends that fly freight hate the back side of the clock flying. The physical toll is awfully demanding and most would rather fly a more typical front side schedule but they also like the money and stability of the freight world and therefore choose to put up with the schedule. As for me, I'd rather not put my body through it. I don't like it and I don't do well with that kind of schedule so I don't apply to freight companies. I'm certainly not afraid of it.

 

[Flapjack]

Flying backside of the clock or flying at night (how used in the context of this conversation)...semantics. Considering it gets dark before dinnertime in many parts of the country these days, did you really think I meant that passenger pilots are knee-knocking afraid to fly in the dark? hee hee I don't think so. Silly. I meant that my friends have expressed to me that they are "afraid" of the toll that backside of the clock flying would have on them. Same concerns that you just expressed, and for good reason.

Bias or advantage - not interchangeable terms. Bias is a prejudice against something in an unfair way. Advantage is just a circumstance or condition. It just is. That's right on the mark for our purposes. When you used the terms interchangeably, I took your post to mean something else entirely.

But I do get your point, nonetheless. Again, all I am trying to point out here is that the perceived favoritism toward miltary pilots is baloney.

Flapjack, out. Peace!

 

[HalinTexas]

Military vs. civilian only bias. It has always been that way, even when there are considerable amounts of high-time, current and qualified pilots out there. SWA has been hiring 60/40 of late. (this came straight from a former interviewer)

I applied back in January after I updated my FEXw and before the "inbread recs" were known about. Found the address of a an old "friend" and crashpad roomate at a previous employer, wrote him a letter, never heard back. Oh, well. I ain't holdin' my breath.

 

[HoursHore]

I don't think Freight has a Monopoly on the Early AM Flying. I seem to hear alot of PAX Callsigns in the Middle of the night.

 

[Caveman]

"Bias or advantage - not interchangeable terms. Bias is a prejudice against something in an unfair way. Advantage is just a circumstance or condition. It just is. That's right on the mark for our purposes. When you used the terms interchangeably, I took your post to mean something else entirely."

I'll concede that 'advantage' is a more appropriate term but I wasn't trying to insinuate any prejudice when I used the word 'bias'.

 

[Falconjet]

In the interest of full disclosure I would like to say that if you come to FedEx you will be flying on the back side of the clock for more than 6-8 months. There are very senior pilots flying hubturns out of EWR every night. Those MD-11s need captains too. So, although there is a fair amount of day time flying, there is still a considerable amount of back side of the clock flying that you will be doing your entire career.

It is a constant battle over day flying vs upgrade vs commutable vs night flying vs domestic vs international vs etc, etc, etc, etc. That battle can be eased perhaps by living in domicile, delaying upgrade, or flex instructing or whatever, but it is a battle that you will fight your entire time at FedEx. As someone else said, there is so much variety here that almost everybody can find something that works for them, so I wouldn't rule FedEx out just because of the night flying.

This isn't necessarily where I envisioned myself 5-10 years ago, but I feel pretty fortunate to have ended up here.

FJ

 

[Laughing_Jakal]

Back to the thread

The question is about being hired without an internal recommendation.....you'd have a better shot of being recalled by USAIR