Fedex Rumor Update

[ERJ - Jay]

How is the Paris FLying covered?
Subic is a domicile, but CDG is not. Is the A300 CDG flying junior or senior. I was reading about the Special International Basing Authority (?) but is that a senior gig or a junior gig? FedEx is a dream job for me, but with my wife being British, the European flying is the creme da la creme. Any info would be appreciated.
As a side note, isn't you contract coming up for openers? Do you expect that to have any impact on hiring.
Thanks,
Jason Smith

 

[Tarheel]

FedEx Update Website

Just Curious,

Good rumors above about potential hiring. I know FedEx hasn't excepted any new on-line apps for some time now. However, the update website has also been down for almost 3 months. Any intel has to when it might be back up allowing app updates.

Thanks

 

[active_herk]

ERJ-Jay, the SIBA bid works like this:

Every three months, FedEx has a SIBA (Special International Bid Award) bid for the Memphis based A300/310 guys and gals for the European flying, and a SIBA bid for the 727 troops for some South American flying. If you bid and are awarded SIBA, you must then go to a training class (I believe its one day), to get qualified for the international flying unless you were already qualified. Now that you have been awarded SIBA, you must then bid the special SIBA lines out of the bidpack for the next three months. In a way, you become segregated from the rest of the pilots in your seat. These SIBA lines are trips composed of double deadheads back and forth to CDG with a pretty long strech of flying in between. On a four week bid month I imagine they try to get almost their whole month of flying in one trip. They can also have domestic stuff built into their lines. After three months you go back to flying the regular lines unless you bid and can hold SIBA once again. As far as seniority goes, I've heard the European Airbus SIBA is pretty senior right now. Don't know about the seniority in the 727 SIBA. Hope this info helps.

 

[dixieflyer]

Well they must be even more short staffed than I suspected. I understand schedualing is offering advance volunteer for all 727 crew, including SOs.

 

[Falconjet]

FCIF

Yes, an FCIF came out yesterday offering AVA to all 727 seats through the 28th of Dec. I've been getting called for draft trips just about everyday, still haven't gotten one.

 

[kwife]

Just a friendly reminder--this thread was intended to be about any intel anyone might be able to offer about future hiring...Can we bring it back around to that? Any info is greatly appreciated.

 

[AlbieF15]

Kwife,

FDX mgt is VERY close hold on hiring. The best folks can usually do is try to "read the tea leaves" and predict what is up.
We know numbers and hiring stats when we read them in a chief pilot's news letter or an FCIF, and not a moment before.

Generally, when SOs are getting drafted, they need more pilots. We are the "cheapest" labor and the easiest to keep around twiddling our thumbs not working. So...when we get really busy, it is usually a harbinger of hiring before long. We are the "safety net" to make sure there are enough folks on the property to throw into training when demand steps up.

Falconjet is just trying to help you get the picture--play nice.

Albie

 

[USNFDX]

AVA

AVA per the contract is available to any seat between Thanksgiving and Dec 31.




Advance Volunteer Assignment (AVA)
The Company may advance assign a VLT trip prior to the open time assignment window subject to the following:

An AVA may be assigned beginning 7 days prior to showtime for that assignment.

A pilot may be assigned an AVA trip only if :
the trip has a showtime between Thanksgiving day and December 31; or

the trip has a showtime during a bid period in which the Company has requested voluntary vacation cancellations in the pilot's crew position; or

the trip has a showtime during a bid period in which the Company has involuntarily canceled a vacation in the pilot's crew position.

 

[moneyshooter]

I talked to KD today. She said they have no classes planned anytime soon, that they DID plan on classes next year, but not until Spring. Sounds consistent with the other standard info we've all heard.

 

[waitinginline]

FedEx

For any FedEx guys..

Has FedEx ever had class in January or February??
It just seems like they always say spring or March(last year anyway)..

Is it likely that the management types are delaying new hire classes due to the contract coming up in May?? I realize that arbitration and talks can sometimes be lengthy, surely they can't go that long without hiring..

Why is it such a secret when they are planning class dates??
I have a friend in the training department who I have known for 20 years and he won't give any insight.. However, he did say "things are beginning to shake around here" and "it should not be much longer"..

Thanks in advance..
Waitinginline

 

[PanelApe]

fedex

waiting -

Everything I have heard so far has been spring. We keep listening for something better/brighter....but have not heard anything. I was in the AOC last night and talked with several guys in training - same story.

I still think that one of the first REAL signs will be when the HR department starts calling people for updates (has anyone in the pool been convicted of a felony the last 18 months, new employers, etc).

As for holding out until the contract negotiations goes....hard to say, but I doubt it. Noone knows how long the negotiations will take - so I don't think that is a factor. Spring makes sense to me, get guys on the property and trained before next year's peak season.

Just speculations and opinions - take them for what they are worth -

 

[active_herk]

waitinginline, I trained in Feb, and the year I trained there were guys who trained in Jan. Good luck.

 

[waitinginline]

Thanks

Panelape and Herk,

Thanks for the replies, I sure hope you guys are right about springtime! Hopefully we(poolies) will not reach the two year mark.. I am anxious to get over there..

Ready to pour some Coffee..
Waitinginline

 

[AlbieF15]

Well...I was gonna sell these on flash cards to new SOs but since its Christmas I'll just pass it on...

Moos.....the nuclear proof dairy creamer in little packages impossible to open without spilling or spraying on your paperwork..

Blues...aspertane sweetner

Pinks....saccahrine (sp?) sweetner

FDX STD is 2/3 cup full...any more will slosh on captain's hands. Dispite having lids in package, NEVER put a lid on the coffee unless asked (I don't know why, either...)

So...its 2 am, the proper call enroute to Boise would be "how 'bout a cup of Joe, 2 blues and a moo please..."

If its Jethrof15's coffee you are making take a small 1808 lightbulb from the case and put it in the bottom of his cup just to keep him paranoid and awake and paying attention...

Pour safe...

 

[NightFlyer]

Don't forget that when you open the yogurt that you point it away from you, otherwise it will squirt all over you. Take care and good luck.

Nightflyer

 

[TonyC]

Well...I was gonna sell these on flash cards to new SOs but since its Christmas I'll just pass it on...

Reminds me of the days I used to fold a napkin in thirds, clip it on the yoke under the maplight, and slip a Sanicom in the little pocket formed by the napkin. Requisition a coupla mints from the hotel checkout desk, and clip those on, too, for a special touch.

Of course, you have to get the wrap and tuck on the water bottles so the napkin won't fall off before you preposition them in the Capt's and FO's cupholders.

I'm not certain where the concept of FE servitude evolved, but I played along - - and that was BEFORE we had probation. GO figger.....

FDX STD is 2/3 cup full...any more will slosh on captain's hands. Dispite having lids in package, NEVER put a lid on the coffee unless asked (I don't know why, either...)

Reminds me of my days as a courier when I would read the Safety bulletin board just to see what ws going on.

FLIGHT SAFETY REPORT: We need lids on our coffee cups so we don't burn ourselves !

RESPONSE: OK, Captain, we'll get 'em for ya right away.

And I sat there thinkin' "What a buncha brats!"

Pour safe...

SafeLY.

 

[CRJammin]

...waitin'

Hayden: Kay H. called and wants to know why you were late?

 

[busdrver]

Don't forget that when you open the yogurt that you point it away from you, otherwise it will squirt all over you.

I ALWAYS forget that rule. I don't need a Christmas tie, I gots me a custom one.

 

[switchbiatch]

9E to FE FE

Hey 9E guys drowning in the purple kiddie pool dont worry its coming. I have been here a year and half and by the time you get here you are going to be a whole 50 #'s jr. So enjoy flying that CRJ b/c the panel is like sitting in the coat closet of the J31 looking at the exit door. No one to talk to except when coffee is needed and then you are the man for about 10 sec.) You will also find out you are not on a trip but a SORTIE. The great thing is the company is great and will take care of you, you do not fly as much and you do not have to call payroll every 2 weeks b/c it is always correct. The previous post is correct point the yogurt away from youwhen opening , more towards the back of the F/O when he will not slide the seat forward. Also the rumors over here are bigger and more elaborate then imaginable. So do not believe it till it is sitting on the property painted in company colors or you are sitting in class with a seniority #. Hopefully this spring.

P.S. BONE IT LIKE YOU OWN IT
DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT

AND PLEASE CHECH OUT THIS WHITE TRASH CHRISTMAS CARTOON

http://www.toonedin.com/movies/WhiteTrashXmas.html

 

[NightFlyer]

Well, is it just me or does there seem to be more open time than usual? LAX has more than they've had in the past, at least since I've been there. I'm about as junior as you can get there and I was converted to a secondary line. Anyone else noticed this or am I breathing too much of the smog out there in LA?

Take care,
NightFlyer

 

[USMCFDX]

ANC also has mucho open time next month (although they are mostly the 2 to 3 day trips down to the lower 48), and the bottom three secondary lines up here also were all trips, usually we get reserve lines.

Give it a week though and I bet most of it will disappear.

Only flew 1 two day trip for the month of December while on reserve for 15 days, same for the guy 1 number below me.

 

[Murdawg5]

You guys are right... There does seem to be a lot more trips in opentime, at least in ANC anyway... Could this be because for the first time in a long time the company hasn't bought back MD vacations??? I'm not planning on picking anything up, simply because after spending Christmas and New Year's away, I want the time at home with my family... I'm going to enjoy it, too...
Take Care...
Murdawg5
PS... If anyone picks up that hotel layover in Hong Kong, let us know how it goes....

 

[Mr Zog]

Vacation buyback

They did not buy back MD vacations last year in January. This is not atypical. They did voluntary vaction buyback for every month but January (and maybe February not sure).