Inside info on FedEx pilot hiring

[flyguppy]

4. Only sponsor zero-risk pilots. Pilots have “risks” if: they have weak or negative
recommendations; they are minimally qualified regarding total, PIC, or recency of experience flight
times; they do not have additional aviation skills (instructor, evaluator, management, etc.); there
is some concern regarding their experience level or compatibility with FedEx Flight Operations;
they are currently employed or furloughed by another major airline..

I'm sorry, but the above is a f*&$ing joke. You're a risk if you are currently employed at another major airline?

Sorry I didn't have your measly 1000 jet PIC. Sorry I was fortunate enough to get hired by a major at a young age.

I've been a Captain at a major for going on 2 years. I want to make a move. I want to fly for FedEx.

I'm a risk? P-f*&^ing-lease.

I want my $50 back too.

 

[TonyC]

I'm sorry, but the above is a f*&$ing joke. You're a risk if you are currently employed at another major airline?

Sorry I didn't have your measly 1000 jet PIC. Sorry I was fortunate enough to get hired by a major at a young age.

I've been a Captain at a major for going on 2 years. I want to make a move. I want to fly for FedEx.

I'm a risk? P-f*&^ing-lease.

I want my $50 back too.

With that kind of attitude, we don't want you!







ooops, sorry, I gave you the Jetblue answer by mistake. DOH!







Seriously... We're just as frustrated as you, and I for one hope somebody will buy a clue and get back to reality. While I can understand the fundamental principle underlying the philosophy, I believe they've gone overboard. We don't want to foot the training bill and put food on the table of a guy or gal that's just looking for a place to weather an economic storm before they return to their "real" first choice. One acknowledgement of reality is the exception to USAir furloughees - - they're basically treated like any other non-furloughed, not-employed-by-a-major pilot. Anybody that thinks a current USAir Captain that seeks emplyment with FedEx to be a risk needs a reality check, and that's exactly what they're doing.

If you're the real deal, don't get discouraged, and don't give up. Hopefully the rules will change, or be relaxed to something that better fits reality.


Good Luck!

 

[sandman2122]

Make it happen!

Here's an idea:

How about the furloughed guys that already have their applications in get their sponsors to schedule a meeting with J.L. via the pre-interview procedure.

The more this happens there's a possibility that FedEx will change the current hiriing policy......vs. nothing will change the policy if sponsors don't even make an attempt.

Can't hurt to try..

 

[PanelApe]

zero-risk pilots

Perhaps the reason pilots employed by other airlines are under that category is because of the same old "flight risk". The same old argument....hire a furloughed ____________ pilot (American, Delta, etc......) and you risk having them leave when they get called back.

To the flight management that is a risk associated with hiring a furloughed guy.....they've been bitten before and did not like it.

Don't mean to beat that dead pony.....

PanelApe

"Any of you HOMOS touch my stuff....I'll kill ya"
"Any of you HOMOS call me Francis....I'll kill ya"
Bottom Line......Lighten up Francis

 

[6Pak]

Suggestion Box for the disenchanted:
Address a letter directly to Jack Lewis, Chief Pilot, Fedex, Democrat Road AOC, Memphis, TN, 38194, send your social and a quick note telling him you want your $50 back. You deserve it, and I'm sure he will understand and take the appropriate action.
Suggestion Box for FedEx Employees:
don't gloss over the end of the email: "we all signed a form when we got hired saying that we would protect the confidentiality of the Pilot Interview Process". hate to be the party pooper but be careful out there, these are strange times and your ACPs will be happy to "help" you if they see any chance to shine.
Merry Christmas!

 

[FedEx]

Hey Flyguppy,
With an attitude like that, we don't want you. I forked over HUNDREDS of $$$ to the major's just hopeing for interview. $100 American, $50 United, $75 Northwest, $100 Delta(UPAS). I didn't ask each one of them for my money back, should have. Never got one call from any of them. Thank God!!!!!!!
Just like you said, you were LUCKY to get on with a Major at such a young age and you are even a CAPTAIN. Sounds fishy to me why you would want to leave. I don't think I know one Captain at a MAJOR that would give all that up and start all over at the bottom. If you are one of them, go see JL, I am sure he would talk to you.
Good Luck

 

[Sluggo_63]

I think what he meant was...

It's pretty lousy of FedEx to collect $50 from the thousands of furloughees who put apps in, with FedEx knowing before hand that not one of them would be called.

The "No-furlough" clause should have been on the front page of their Pilot App website.

How much did FedEx collect from guys that didn't stand a chance.

Sluggo

P.S. I paid my $50 on the off chance that they would change their mind, and I have no problem with it.

 

[TonyC]

Hey Flyguppy,
With an attitude like that, we don't want you. I forked over HUNDREDS of $$$ to the major's just hopeing for interview. $100 American, $50 United, $75 Northwest, $100 Delta(UPAS). I didn't ask each one of them for my money back, should have. Never got one call from any of them. Thank God!!!!!!!
Just like you said, you were LUCKY to get on with a Major at such a young age and you are even a CAPTAIN. Sounds fishy to me why you would want to leave. I don't think I know one Captain at a MAJOR that would give all that up and start all over at the bottom. If you are one of them, go see JL, I am sure he would talk to you.
Good Luck

DISCLAIMER: The above post is not representative of the majority of pilots who fly airplanes at FedEx.

Please observe the disgruntlement (is that a word?) in the above post, and take the "advice" with the commensurate dose of salt.


Good luck to all the hopefuls.

 

[TonyC]

It's pretty lousy of FedEx to collect $50 from the thousands of furloughees who put apps in, with FedEx knowing before hand that not one of them would be called.

The "No-furlough" clause should have been on the front page of their Pilot App website.

I agree. However, I was not consulted during the design of the webpage. Use it as a way of getting a taste of the company you're asking to work for.

P.S. I paid my $50 on the off chance that they would change their mind, and I have no problem with it.

That's the approach I would have taken, too, and I would vigorously challenge the practice. Find a sponsor (surely of the 4300 you must know at least one) and get that sponsor to go to bat for you.

I know one thing for sure, it will not change unless there is pressure to change it. Pile it on, folks.

 

[Goose17]

on the defensive...

I don't think FedEx tries to make money by collecting $50 from pilot applicants that don't have a chance of getting a call. First off, FedEx is making a ton of money and adding your $50 isn't going to do anything. Secondly, during periods of no interviews, FedEx closed the online web site to prevent people from paying $50 when there wasn't any interviews happening. They could have simply left the site open if they wanted to collect your $50.

As for guys out there feeling stiffed, like posted above. This company had been burned by your predecessors. When the major pax carriers were furloughing years ago, FedEx hired some off the street. Many of them promised their loyalty to FedEx only to have them jump ship and flee back to their old seniority number. You know the saying... fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.

FedEx has not listed a no-furlough statement on the app. Why? Because we do hire SOME furloughed pilots. But lets face it. The pond is FULL of fish. You can be very selective in today's market as a pilot employer.

Bottom line. If you want a chance with FedEx, pay your $50 and do anything and everything mentioned in the email above. If you don't think you have a chance, go buy $50 worth of beer and have a good weekend.

Good luck to all those whom are interested.

Goose17

 

[J Dawg]

Hey, way to go Goose!! My FedEx bud confirms all. It is the real deal.

Don't forget your FE written. It will be hard for a sponsor to explain why you don't have one.

I have my FE written, but its more than 24 months old. But I work for a Part 121 carrier, so technically it's current per the FARs. In my case, do I need to retake it? I've heard different things, ranging from "yes" to "you can apply and interview with an 'expired' one (if mine is expired, which it isn't per the FARs), but you need to retake it before you start class".....to "no, they don't care".

Any factual insight would be appreciated.

 

[NightFlyer]

Yes, you need to have taken your written within the last 24 months. Good luck.


NightFlyer

 

[J Dawg]

Yes, you need to have taken your written within the last 24 months. Good luck.


NightFlyer

Do I need it before the interview, or before class?
Thanks for the info.

 

[F18-FDX]

J Dawg,

Let's just say that common sense applies. The other 7,999 guys looking for an interview probably have a current FE written, being "technically" current is probably not the best way to be competitive and look like you REALLY want the job. If you've already been called for an interview I'll put money down that everyone you interview with will have a current FE.

Not to be a d1ck, but why stand out in bad way? Why make your sponsor have to answer the question if asked? "Well, he's technically current" may not be optimum. As noted by the System Chief Pilot on down, and has been mentioned already in this thread, FedEx can be as picky as they want to be. Do everything you possibly can to have your checks in the correct blocks.

 

[J Dawg]

I never said I would go into an interview without it. Just trying to get as much info on FedEx's requirements as possible, since FedEx fails to properly explain what they mean by "current" FE written on their application site. It is even mentioned in their Q & A summery, without a complete explanation of what they mean by "current". Is it too simple for them to state "The FE written is required and must be current within 24 months"? Thanks for answering the question though.

 

[Daveman]

I want my $50 back.

Hey the long and the short......If you're not in Tight, it will be a long, long time.....a long time!

 

[capt. megadeth]

My FE was taken over 24 months ago too. I asked my sponsor about this and he said he was in the same situation and FedEx didn't have a problem with it. This was also prior to 9-11. He told me to just go re-take it. It doesn't take that long if you just buckle down for 2 days and study it.

 

[PurpleTail]

Hey the long and the short......If you're not in Tight, it will be a long, long time.....a long time!

Not true. It is what it is right now but it won't remain this way.

 

[Falconjet]

FE written at FedEx

I have posted this response several times on many threads about the FE written at FedEx but at the risk of coming off as a pompous a$$ I will gladly repeat it. I have also tried the search function several times and it is pretty unwieldy so I don't mind repeating answers for folks with questions that have been asked and answered before. That said:

Capt Megadeath: I have to disagree with your sponsor. I was told during newhire training that FedEx does not recognize the waiver on the FE written for folks who are continuously employed by a 121 carrier. I don't know why, and no real explanation was given, that is just the way it is. I doubt that you will get an interview without a current (WITHIN 24 MONTHS current) FE written. I am almost absolutely positively sure that you won't be able to start class without it as well.

There was one exception reported a while back for a pilot who was in the Iraq who couldn't renew his written for obvious reasons and the FAA gave him a new expiration date. I'm not sure of the specifics but that was an FAA decision which wasn't based on the 121 employment extension.

I don't think it is a post 911 thing, or a we're swamped with applicants thing, it is just the way FedEx views the requirement for the FE ticket. They don't want to mess around getting FAA waivers and extensions cleared up when you complete training and it is time for you to get your ticket. In fact, in 02 when my class went through we all had some kind of limitation on our FE ticket and we all had to immediately trudge over to the FAA to get new tickets without the restrictions. I can't remember what the restriction was for or why we all had it, but FedEx doesn't like restrictions on the ticket, kind of like SW requires an unrestricted 737 type rating. It is just the way it is.

So if you want to get on at FedEx, keep your ticket (and class I medical) CURRENT and don't forget to update your profile OFTEN. I'm not sure if I like the sound of the program that was just put out, but I think that as the hiring wave continues we will see a lot more folks without sponsors make their way into the system. Just my opinion.

Again, best of luck to those in the app process.

FJ

 

[capt. megadeth]

Falcon,
Thanks for the info. I am definitely getting that FE written done again soon.
Happy Holidays!