FedEx Zurich pilot base

[Goose17]

The following is from part of an email from our union today (just passing some info along):



Chairman's Message
October 25, 2004

There have been many rumors flying around over the past few weeks
about a crew base in Zurich, Switzerland. It appears highly
probable, from discussions that we've had with management, that
Zurich could become a base, supporting the Charles de Gaulle hub
operation in the near future. We believe that this would be a
positive development for FedEx and its pilots, and we are
cautiously optimistic that management will address the many
issues surrounding an additional foreign operation.

Goose17 (currently in 727 FO upgrade school)

 

[Huck]

You'd have to live in Switzerland under a 3 year non-renewable visa. Deadheads to get to work. I've heard both busses and MD11's.

 

[fox3]

Heard the same

Yep,
I heard the same here. I was in Paris earlier in the month and the word from the CP there -- Zurich crewbase in the Feb time frame. 40 Bus crews initially, maybe MD-11s later. The company is still working out tax issues. A four year, non-renewable work Visa was mentioned, which creates it's own set of problems -- we'll see.

 

[On Your Six]

Can someone say EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE? I hope you guys get some sort of expat package for that... I have been there many times - very pretty but a bit on the super-expensive side... Get ready to pay $7 US for a small coffee at Starbucks in Zurich.

 

[b757driver]

Can someone say EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE?

I second that comment! If you have never lived or worked in Europe before, check your pocket change. On average, things are TWICE as expensive as in the good ol USA. Some, like gas are the equivalent of $7 a gallon. It does vary by country but it certainly ain't cheap! Oh, and the $/EU/Swiss Fr exchange rate will also go against you.

I'm sure you guys will be given an attractive package by Fedex, so this probably won't affect you too much.

Outsourced US Pilot Working in Europe.

 

[capt. megadeth]

ME ME ME!!!!!! Please I hope FedEx hires me someday!

 

[Murdawg5]

It's nice to know that our union representatives will be talking to the swiss regarding any agreement that could be made with FedEx... You guys are right about expensive.... Later on in that email, it was stated that US State Department officials receive a 80% COLA!!! That'd be nice, but I'm not sure if I could see that happening for us and I'm sure that ANY cost of living adjustment for us pilots has not been considered by management... That alone could halt the deal... Maybe that's why it took so long for management to get the union involved???

I haven't heard anything about the MD going there, but it makes sence that the Airbus would operate from there.... However, I'm not so sure if having a pilot base in Europe would benefit the pilot group... Consider the DH's required now that the SIBA guys have... Essentialy, they have a reduction of two/three days a month of work (if you don't consider dead heading work) which will be eliminated when/if this deal happens...

Take Care,
Murdawg5

 

[MCDU]

ME ME ME!!!!!! Please I hope FedEx hires me someday!

Well, you do not want FED EX to have another hull loss. After that hard landing of yours that almost broke the plane in half. I think you should stick to nursing.

Just kidding of course.

Marty

 

[MCDU]

Well Zurich would be interesting, due to the fact that the airport does not allow for late night and early morning operations. Very noise sensitive airport and lots of politics in ZRH.



Marty

 

[klhoard]

(From what I overheard while taking a dump in the AOC bathroom from two janitors talking about what they overheard another pilot talking about. . . )
.
.
There won't be any purple and orange airplanes parked in Zurich. All of the FedEx airplanes will be parked somewhere else in Europe and every pairing will begin and end with a deadhead.
I doubt that very many people will live in Zurich, but just deviate every trip and live where the jets are parked.
So if they can get that 80% COLA and throw in all of that bank money, "Zurich" (wink, wink) will be a pretty darn senior base.

 

[C-17->Majors]

This will be a crew base, not a hub. I doubt many folks will actually live in Switzerland unless they have to for work visa rules.

 

[Huck]

All of the FedEx airplanes will be parked somewhere else in Europe.

Aye, there's the rub. It's CDG. And the French won't give us work visas. The Swiss will.

Don't know about other countries over there - you'd probably have to get a work visa from that country. Or commute from the states, like some SFS pilots do.

We might hear the details when the lawyers get back this week.

 

[On Your Six]

I think the Swiss are probably willing to work with Fedex because Swiss Airlines (former Swissair) is in serious trouble and the airport is losing money as the volume of frequencies decline... I thought that I read that EasyJet pulled out of Zurich due to increasing landing fees (related to the reduction in overall airport activity). The Swiss are ready to do a deal to keep their airport income stable...

It really is a gorgeous place though. If you could get a special expat package, I'd recommend doing it for a year or two. Super expensive but at least you would have nice skiing!!!!!!!!

 

[Kav]

With regards to crewmembers deviating and living where the trip actually starts flying from... that might get a bit expensive as well. Many of those countries, if they are EU countries, tax foreigners who live and work in their country. For example, Raytheon maintainers who take care of the USAF Learjets and Gulfstreams in Germany get the US tax break on their first 80k of income.... but then get taxed by the German govt because they live and work in Germany. That tax burden is 50% of their annual income.

I'm not certain of all of the tax laws for each individual EU country... but that would certainly be something I would look into before making the decision that I was going to bid Zurich and deviate to live elsewhere.

Regards,

Kav

 

[klhoard]

I think it's going to be a great opportunity for the Memphis based MD-11 F/O's. . . . especially the ones who's seniority numbers are less than say 3500 or so!!