Interview odds
Lrjet55: I think that somebody has given you the wrong impression. You do NOT need face time with the SCP to get called for the interview. That certainly wouldn't hurt, it is not a requirement by any means.
I had a friend meet me at the outstation for dinner a year and a half ago and the SCP just happened to be jumpseating home on that flight. I introduced him to my buddy who was in the application system and a year later when they started interviewing again several of his sponsors and I went back to the SCP and reminded him about how well-qualified that guy was and that he would be a great fit at FedEx. A few months later he got the call for an interview.
I have another buddy who I went into the SCP's office on behalf of a few months ago and he had what has been defined as a "heavy hitter" go in on his behalf as well. He also got a call for an interview. The "heavy hitter" is simply a 10th year MD-11 FO instructor who happens to be on good terms with the SCP. By the way, I am just a second year (just starting my third) Boeing FE, a "no-hitter" if you will. I'm sure that the impact of both of us going in on the guy's behalf helped tilt the scale in his favor. Would just one of us have done it? Don't know, didn't want to take that chance.
So we know what works; the more guys who are willing to go into the SCP's office on your behalf, the better your chances are of getting an interview. I walked one other resume in, and that pilot hasn't been called yet, and the SCP made it clear that I had brought him enough business from my old outfit. I understood him loud and clear, I and will have to wait some time before I offer up another rec.
I have flown with other pilots who were hired during the postal contract push who didn't have any internal recs at all, and I suspect that when things start to flow a bit more you will find more people getting called in without the recs. They seem to really like regional 121 operators in general and Memphis based regionals in particular (just a simple observation, no emperical data to back that up).
If you want an interview you need to meet the mins, apply, and UPDATE often. The importance of updating regularly can't be overstated either. They like to see continued interest in the company and progression at your current job, like any other company would. And of course, if you are lucky enough to have a sponsor (or several), ask them if they would take the time to stop in and talk to the SCP on your behalf. Its kind of a pain to catch him at a good time and may take several attempts, but it is certainly worth the effort, in my humble opinion. At the very least have all of your sponsors or anybody you know submit an electronic recommendation on your behalf as well.
I've only been here a couple of years and don't have much experience with the hiring process, but I have seen these events unfold with my own eyes. Keep the faith, apply, update and be ready when (if) the call comes. Track down any and everybody you know and have flown with who works here and convince them that you are the kind of pilot that FedEx needs on the line so they can pass along the info to the hiring folks. Then sit back and let things happen, because it will still take some time (as you already know I'm sure).
Best of luck to you.
FJ