FedEx rumorville

['72Gremlin]

Latest from AirInc

I just got back from depositing my $155 into Kit Darby's bank account at the DFW AirInc Conference. Unfortunately, FedEx's official stance on hiring this year is they "have no definite plans to hire pilots in 2004." What does definite mean? An ounce of hope? Enough for me. JR confirmed about 70 pilots in the pool and I asked him about the 737 rumor... he said of all the rumors on the street, that one was probably the most believable. That ounce of hope just turned into a pound. From what I've gathered at these conferences, airlines seem to be very/overly conservative on their outlook on hiring. UPS said categorically... definitely... no questions asked: no hiring in 2004. We shall see. Goodluck to us all.

Grem

 

[SNIZ]

JR?

Is JR the FedEx rep at the Job Fair?

 

[Goose17]

I am assuming he meant John Ryder and not Janet Reno, although they do look a bit alike.

He runs the hiring department.

Goose17

 

[Huck]

I thought he meant J. Ross....

 

[AlbieF15]

J. Ross is now just a one each line Capt. FDX is reducing "overhead" in its cheif pilot force as well as flight admin to cut costs. Expect even more trimming in next year. See post on app window for thoughts on this...

 

['72Gremlin]

Sorry to keep you guessing. John Ryder was the FedEx spokesperson at AirInc. I've seen him at every conference I've attended.

 

[FastCargo]

Interesting call...

Something interesting...

My crashpad roomie was operating a trip a few days ago. The crew was discussing rumors about aircraft purchases. The 737 thing came up...it has been one of the most persistent rumors out there.

Here is where it gets interesting. One of the other crewmembers mentioned that while he was gone on this trip, he gets a call at home from FedEx crew records. They wanted to confirm that he in fact has a 737 type rating.

Now this could have been for ANYTHING (he could have been yanking the crew's chain). But, that is an unusual inquiry. It'll get more interesting if other crew members with 737 types on their records start getting the same call...

Just thought I would share.

FastCargo

 

[SF3CA]

Buddy of mine who has been in long term training for the DC-10 heard that we are working out a deal with boeing. We will buy 737's (used 400's and new 900's) and then boeing will release us from the MD-10 program.

 

[Lightninglou]

Just got back from the Air Inc conference at DFW as well, and thought it was ironic that John Ryder said no hiring, when it seems there are rumors of it picking up in the spring.

I also thought it was strange that FedEx was interested in 737s and not looking at 757s. An F/O I was talking with at the FedEx booth said the reason was that the 757 is a heavy and would require more spacing (wake turb), thus reducing the number of slots available out of MEM. The 737-900 is almost as big as the 757, but not a heavy.

Thanks for the info! Regards,

Lightning

 

[fox3]

I've Heard the Same

It seems as though this may be more than a rumor. Spoke with a couple of very credible Captains in LA this weekend and all of the rumors seem to jive. Apparently the company has already begun acquiring 737 parts and is looking to hire in order to make the transition happen (I have no idea why that would need to happen). They also said that the MD-10 conversion would cease if the 737s were purchased.

 

[switchbiatch]

Unless FDX is going to get rid of some 727's by next Christmas peak or expect to have no one leave the back seat (upgrade,retire, etc.) then they will have to have new blood on property by then. Being called and almost begged to take draft trips as a 727 S/O I will almost assume it will happen. I do not know when but would expect it to happen before Sept. other wise they will not have you ready for peak. But I am sure the bean counters have a diagram and a 100 page document on the exact time to tell Flt Mgmt. It is amazing how hiring can be so top secret. By the way poolies I turned down the draft calls just for you , no just kidding I prefer my time off.

 

[FoxHunter]

All these rumors very entertaining. Others heard in the past, 10 747-400s will be on the property in 6 months. Heard in 1992, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97. The MD10 program will never happen. The MD10 program will stop at six aircraft. Subic will be staffed by foreign pilots. FedEX has studied the possibility of using Tankers for Air to Air refueling of the MD11.

Only one of the above turned out to be true, guess.

 

[fox3]

Another Cynical Captain

FoxHunter, I wish I could be as enlightened as you are. Captains like you are such a joy to fly with. Let me guess, you don't buy beers on draft trips. See Ya!

 

[donger]

I just about puked on myself thinking about getting to start training this year. I may need some meds to keep my heart from stopping!!!!

Its only a matter of time.

______________________________

No more yanky my wanky!
The Donger need food!

 

[satpak77]

Donger

Donger

Mind sharing why you want to give up US Customs (GS-13 + 25% = $100K +/-)?

likely you have most fed. holidays off and pretty much know your schedule a few months out. In addition, unless you are pulling Christmas duty officer, you likely have enjoyed many X-mas off.

anyway, just asking

thanks man

 

[donger]

satpak77,

GS-14 + the 25% LEAPay for about 110K+/yr. Carry a gun, get all kinds of cool toys, interesting detachments, etc, etc.

I guess the answer to that is, I'm single, the money is not why I do what I do (I know, you want to raise the BS flag, but honest, money is nice, but I'll trade it for what FedEx can offer). I would prefer to be able to choose where I would like to live, have the option to upgrade, fly some heavy iron, fly more often.

At Customs, I am stuck with living in Corpus Christi or Jacksonville, FL. I'm stuck flying P-3s, and as far as major holidays off, that is true, but this year, and for a few to come, the holiday season saw the Department of Home Land Security raise the threat level. This resulted in a Customs wide policy to CANCEL all vacation and limit travel for those with days off. I had planned to go to Denver (tickets in hand) and was shut down less that 48 hours before I was to leave. That is the job and I do not complain about that, but I don't care if I have to work every Xmas for the rest of my life. I want to be able to plan my life further than a few days out. And yes that is usually what the schedule does...changes every few days at customs. Sometimes minor, sometimes major, but nothing is ever for sure.

It would take an immense amount of convincing to persuade me to stay with Customs over FedEx. FedEx is one of the few majors worth taking the huge pay cut for...at least initially.

I feel very fortunate to have the job with Customs, and if I were to stay another year or two, I would probably not leave. I fly with some great guys doing a great mission, but I know once I leave I will be called, asking for help to get an interview with FedEx once I'm on property.

Sorry for the long winded response, but it is something I do not take lightly. I have thought long and hard about this choice and I am satisfied and confident I am making the best decision for me.


__________________________________

No more yanky my wanky!
The Donger need food!

 

[satpak77]

thanks Donger

Hey thanks for the reply. I can understand you points completely.

For you and anyone else who may know, anyone have "rough idea" figures for Year 1, Year 3, Year 5 and then junior Capt annual earnings?

I know this is mathematically computed based on various formulas, but again, just ballpark

 

[Herk2Wrench]

Yr 1 50K as a 727 S/O
Yr 3 75K as a 727 S/O through 115K as Widebody F/O on Reserve
Yr 5 110K as a narrow F/O through 130K as Junior Widebody F/O

Of course all rough numbers based on your previously mentioned formulas and seniority etc.

 

[Falconjet]

Captain Pay

5 year Captain in the 727 would make approx 165K and max out at approx 180K after 15 years of service with the current contract.

Widebody Capt in year 10 would make approx 196K per year up to 206K per year at year 15.

Thats pay only, not per diem or money funds.

FJ

 

[de Pez]

Rumors are almost always wrong...However, there always seems to be a grain of truth as well.... That said, I heard (while doing a sim check) 19 737-300's by July 2005, with -800's or -900's to follow.. Time will tell whether or not I desereve a severe bashing for spreading a silly rumor.