FedEx Pilots: NOT living in MEM

[Juan Tugo]

Ok, the FedEx Pilots: Living in MEM thread brought up some excellent info and some good reasons to live -or- not to live in Memphis. For you guys that DO NOT live in MEM, where do you commute from, how do you get there (jump FDX / commercial), how many days if any does commuting add to your trip, and how often are you able to pick up a double DH from your hometown? Thanks.

-JT

 

[NightFlyer]

Well, I'm not based in MEM anymore but when I was the commute was a piece of cake. I live in the DFW area and there are four flights a day on FedEx alone. There are also many flights between AA, DL, and NW to choose from. I was able to hold a few lines that had deadheads to or from DFW but I was never able to hold any double deadhead trips. That was when I was an engineer on the DC10, now I'm based at LAX and the commute is actually just as easy. I'm on reserve out there but getting back and forth is easy with two FedEx flights a day out of Ft. Worth and there are flights just about every hour out of DFW. I would say that I spend 99% of the time commuting on FedEx flights. I've had a few months where I had plenty of money in my deviation bank to buy tickets to LA on a commercial carriers to start my reserve period. I probably lose a couple of days a month to commuting but some months are better than others.


NightFlyer

 

[VaB]

I think most of the guys that commute are to busy commuting to have time to cruise Flightinfo and answer your question.

Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[JerkyHerky]

All I can say is don't try commuting out of the Tampa area. It sucks. It takes hours to fly to/from Mem with 3 or 4 enroute stops in one of the Caravans that FedEx uses for its feeders. The weather is much, much worse there than in Mem. The schools are much better in Memphis and the people are much more courteous to each other there as well. Now let's talk about how bad income taxes are in Tampa compared to MEM where there are none. So, in short stay away from Tampa. Anywhere else more than 100 miles from Tampa is great, though.

Commuting can be easy (other than from TPA) if you pick the right spot. Look for 1 short leg to/from MEM that arrives in MEM relatively early (i.e. by about 2300-2330). Most of the larger markets on the East Coast/Middle America are very easy where you can leave the house by 2000 or so and be in Mem with plenty of time to spare for the night hub turn. Also pick a place that is served by NW Air or some other airline direct flights. Of equal importance - try to find a place that doesn't have a bazillion pilots already living there and where FedEx employees don't jumpseat with their golf clubs and boogy boards in tow and call it "business" (If you get my drift)

 

[vschip]

Commuted out of San Diego for 1 year, and out of LAX area for the past 2 years. Pretty easy out of SD, only had to drive up to LAX once while living there, you just have to plan ahead. No brainer out of LAX, 2-3 flight every morning and night, plus you've got BUR as well(much easier to get to, but no parking). The commute probably added 1-2 days a month, but sometimes you'd get lucky with a deadhead to your hometown, and that's an extra day off. I've never jumpseated to work on commercial carriers, but did use NW every once in a while if I had the bank. Wasn't able to get any double deadheads, those go very senior, but was able to snag a few 36 or 48 hour layovers, nothing like getting paid doing yardwork at home. I don't think Memphis is as bad as some others say it the previous thread, but the heat/humidity of summer just killed me when I was on reserve there.

 

[AlbieF15]

I'm a happy commuter. I usually don't hold 2x DH lines, but I grab a trip or two when I can and use the money to buy tickets back and forth to work when required. God Bless NWA and Pinnacle.

One lesson I see is don't come to FDX thinking you can always hold your hometown line. I saw a guy move up to the A300 after getting senior on his seat so he could fly into his hometown. The 727 was getting bumped, but this guy could hold a widebody to his own place. Pretty neat...until they changed the line to a DC10. Another story--my "hometown" line is actually 90 miles away in TLH. Two months ago the line change to a multi leg O&B plus a multi leg hub turn. Looks like an A300 will be there within a few months. I never could hold the line anyway (except Christmas), but the guys who did and now scurrying for something else to bid. It is certainly awesome when you can get to fly and layover in your own town, but even if you finally get senior enough to do that sometimes the lines change.

Maybe a Memphis guy would have a different perspective, but it seems like there are more O&Bs and fewer overnights/hub turns in the last few months. If my perception is true, it means may have to be even a bit more senior to hold a good commuter line.

In any case--I try to get home as much as I can , but if I'm stuck in MEM you can find me on Beale Street, at interstate BBQ, or maybe at the crashpad down in Tunica. Maybe I'm just worn down, but so far it ain't half bad...

 

[LEROY]

Albie,
Beale street goes without saying. But what is Interstate BBQ? I've been hearing all about the 'Vous and Corky's, but haven't heard about Interstate...
BTW, as the junior member of the JAX-MEM commute club (over 100 members), I must state that if anyone is considering this avenue, don't; they've already told me I have to move! You need fast typing fingers and quick internet access if you want to get to JAX on Fri or MEM on Sun. or Mon.
Like Albie said, everything's great until the lines change. Used to be an Airbus in JAX (8 J/S) now it's a -10 (2-6 J/S) so the commute became a little more challenging. Still, in my very inexperienced perspective, it's fairly straightforward and not all that difficult.

 

[TonyC]

But what is Interstate BBQ? I've been hearing all about the 'Vous and Corky's, but haven't heard about Interstate...

Interstate BBQ is far better than those two, but if you want the best, take a drive NE on US Highway 70 (Summer Ave) to Mason TN for THE BEST BBQ at Bozo's.

 

[Juan Tugo]

This is a hi-jack!

Thanks for the input, guys...excellent info, as always.

Now, for the most important question:

Albie, did you go w/ Collective Soul or Charlie Daniels?

 

[hoya saxa]

Interstate BBQ is far better than those two, but if you want the best, take a drive NE on US Highway 70 (Summer Ave) to Mason TN for THE BEST BBQ at Bozo's.

Don't forget The Commissary in Germantown! Mmmmm.... barbeque.... (insert slobbering sound here)