FedEx rumorville

[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.

 

[PastV1]

Just to add to the flames.......

18 or 36 on the initial buy......

Past.............

 

[GoABX]

737-300/400

It seems the 737 conversion might finally be getting some traction.

Does anyone know the basic differences between the 300 and 400 series?

MaxTOW
Difference in efficiecy on the motors
Approx fuel flow/hr @ cruise
Length

 

[dhampton]

The main difference is the -400 is 10 feet longer than the -300.


Depending on the dash number installed, engine thrust:
-400 23.5 or 22.0 k lbs max
-300 22.0 or 20.0 k lbs max


MGTOW
-300 135.5
-400 150.0

 

[Huck]

Thanks Dhampton - say, what's max cruise Mach? We can get Das Boot up to 85, if we stuff plugs in our ears and shout at each other....

 

[XUSAir]

Slow boat

The -300 and -400 will be lucky to go .78 with any weight in the back. No plugs needed.

 

[klhoard]

.85????

Thanks Dhampton - say, what's max cruise Mach? We can get Das Boot up to 85, if we stuff plugs in our ears and shout at each other....

.85 ???

Obviously you haven't flown with "Captain Clacker" recently. . . .

 

[Huck]

Oh, we always fly what's on the flight plan, don't we? HAH!

 

[PurpleInMEM]

"lucky to go .78 with any weight in the back" ????

HOLY SH!T !!!

That should be enjoyable as you make your way west to GTF or GEG...nothing worse than going slower on what is already a hard time trip.

Barber pole climb, .88 or .90 (if you're lucky enough to be in a -100) cruise, barber pole descent (yeah sure everyone does 290). Remember, Sennheiser is your friend.

If you haven't heard the clacker, you're not trying.

 

[dhampton]

.74 to.75 mach are typical econ speeds. .82 is mmo. There is quite a bit of noise above 320 kts or .80.

 

[Huck]

If this does happen (and I'll tell you a secret in a minute) the 72's will still have to do anything more than 1000 miles or so, just to keep the current departure/arrival gates. At FDX, we make money when the planes are on the ground, not in the air. Later departures at outstation = later pickups for the truck drivers. 73's can do the short haul stuff.

And my secret is this: if we were swinging a deal with Boeing, it would be absolutely top secret, because we are probably talking to others as well. Any deal that is rumored is probably a deal that won't happen.

And if we wanted slow twins, wouldn't we just buy more 300/310's - more lift at a comparable cost?

 

[XUSAir]

Boeing used the same tooling in building the 727 and 737 cockpits. The noise problem is the same in both planes. The 300 and 400 737s have great preformance, they fly very similar to a Valsan 727. The problem is the wing and mach buffet. It was not designed as a long haul plane. The wing comes from the -200. This is not the case in the newer models. they have a completely different wing.
IMHO, All the 737 models are great airplanes.

 

[t38dude]

Here's some more info to keep the rumor mill turning. I just flew with a check airman who was briefed yesterday from the chief pilot that they are going to train all of the dudes in the pool this spring and probably even hire more. So hang in there poolies, sounds like it's really going to happen this time.

T38dude

 

[waitinginline]

Rumor or Not, Here I come

I talked with a friend of mine who works in Training, he is normally pretty tight lipped about info he gives.. However, this time he pretty much volunteered info.. He said that training would begin for poolies April or at the latest May.. He also said that they would be hiring more behind the poolies... He did not give exact numbers, but, he did say quite a few.. That is pretty consistent with what everyone else has said.. At least the rumors are jiving this year..

I also asked about the 737 rumor.. He did not elaborate much, but he did say that FedEx is looking to get outta the MD-10 deal and something with Boeing would be the way out..

I hope this is all true, it is hard to get my hopes up though after almost two years..

Yes, I know my Grammar sucks!! So you nerds who have nothing to do but proof read message board posts, save it...

 

[CRJammin]

FRED callled

Hayden...
Fred called and said that he's got a spare MD for you on the side of 36R-18L.

 

[USMCFDX]

From my understanding of the MD-10 conversion program it has nothing to do with Boeing anymore.

If you read page 20 of the FedEx Second Quarter Fiscal 2004 Results, found on the FedEx page under investor relations you will see that MD-10-10 and MD-10-30 aircraft deliveries are large and scheduled through 2008. If the program stops where will these aircraft come from? Keep the DC-10? My guess is a big no. The company fought hard for common type on MD-11 MD-10 so as not to have two training programs. Keeping the DC-10 around also keeps another training program around and other sims, all of which costs dollars.

Something has to replace the Boeing, what it is who knows, but i highly dought the MD conversion program will go away.

Just my .02

 

[Falconjet]

More $.02

I was on a trip Wed/Thu and the rumors are flying (pun intended) fast and furious! They are all about the same. Somebody in training said that we will start hiring in Apr, and maybe a bid in Mar. Sweet. Also interesting was the idea that there would be 30 737s on the ramp by Jun 05. I found that one to be particularly interesting. I think the rumors gain momentum because everyone wants to believe them and they sound good. I have no illusions that these will actually come to fruition, but I will be keeping my fingers crossed none the less.

FJ

 

[Lightninglou]

More pennies...

From a cost perspective (maintenence and fuel), the 737 option seems to make sense. Our USAF BBJ (-700 body with -800 wings/winglets and gear) typically burns about 5K/hr during cruise with the 27K CFM-56 engines. Not sure what the 727 cruises at per hour, but I'm sure it is a lot higher. With only 2 engines to maintain, I'm sure overall costs are much cheaper.

The -800 will give you a useful payload of about 46K (OEW ~90K w/MZFW 136K). How does this compare to the 727?

Anyway exciting news that FedEx may start hiring. I hope the rumors come true.

Lightning

 

[Mr Zog]

I preface this by saying I am just a worker bee and am not even based in Memphis. So this is just 100% hearsay and speculation.

First, I have also heard of training opening in the spring time and a new bid also at the same time. Hopefully, this will happen so we won't have to recusitate anyone treading in the pool. Don't take off the water wings yet.

Second, the 737 rumor. To me it doesn't make sense. FedeEx would lose too much lift. Heck the -800 carries a similar payload to the 727-100. How much can the 737-300, or even -400, carry? Plus, everyone seems to think that FedEx wants to get out from under the MD-10 conversion program. From what I have been told is that this is a great deal for FedEx. I just don't see it going away, unless FedEx is using it as a bargaining chip with Boeing. I believe it isn't that great of a deal for Boeing and that they have incurred most of the added costs to the program. Who knows what the next airplane is going to be on property, but if lift is the main concern then the B-737 just doesn't make that much sense to me. But again what do I know.

 

[Spur]

The 727-200 can carry about 50K but rarely does. Most payloads are in the 30-40K range so the -800 would be a good replacement for the -200 IMHO, especially since the 727 burns 9K - 11K pph (even higher in a hurry).

As far as the MD-10 deal, from what I've heard the conversion costs around $25 million per copy and the deal was done when airplanes were alot more expensive than they are today. Apparently nowadays you can get an A310 with cargo conversion for about $10 million. So I could see getting more airbuses, cancelling the MD-10 program, and phasing out the DC-10 as more the A310s arrive.

 

[Goose17]

a little more

I flew with a captain from training last night. I mentioned to him that I have been hearing a lot of rumors of hiring, 737s and a bid. He said it was all true. He stated that a good friend of his in the training department is heading up the 737 program and he said that the 737 WILL BE ON THE PROPERTY IN 05! He also said the bid was coming out real soon. Sooner than the spring.

Goose17 (with rumors galore!)