Is it right to pursue FedEx and UPS at the same time?

[FlyBoeingJets]

Any Purple/Orange or Brown guys have input on this?

Any sponsors been burned by buddies being walked in to the Chief Pilot and then turn the company down after interview, post 9/11? Are your recommendations as a sponsor any good after this experience?


Am I smoking crack? Should we not care after securing a place in the pool?

Any guys that were sponsered have an opinion? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Purpledog]

I would be a little pissed if I took a day off to go to MEM to sponsor a guy and he went to Brown instead. However, I would also think he was a fool for not going to the first to offer him a job, his life, not mine. The sponsor's credibility might be tainted but don't worry about it, we have a job.

 

[Falconjet]

Particularly in today's environment you would be foolish to not have a backup plan to your primary goal. You never know what is going to happen next month or next year, so to not pursue every company that you think you would like to work for is selling yourself and your family short.

This is a business, and its simply a business decision. Yes, every company only wants employees who really want to be there, all their first choice, but that is unrealistic. When I introduced my first sponsoree to Jack Lewis about 2 years ago he told my friend to not put all of his eggs into the FedEx basket, to keep his files active at the other carriers who are hiring. We weren't hiring then, but the fact remains that you need to keep all of your options open. Jack knows the business and that it would be foolhardy to only apply at one carrier.

If you go to another company that works better for you and your family nobody should hold it against you or your sponser. They may not give that much weight to his/her next recommendation, but that is the company's loss. I would like to think that the folks doing the hiring (at least at FedEx and I would imagine any airline) have been in the game long enough to know that they won't land every fish they hook.

I wouldn't BS my prospective sponser though, because if they walk in your stuff on the assumption that you will chew broken glass to fly for airline xxx, and then you bolt, that might burn your friendship with your sponser. If you are upfront with your sponser and they know you are looking at a few other companies and they are still willing to walk your stuff in, then they should be able to handle it if you go elsewhere.

You have to do what is best for you and your family.

Just an opinion, worth what you paid for it.

FJ

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Thanks Falconjet.

That puts it into perspective. I made too many assumptions. Not everyone is in the same situation and I didn't think about how a sponser might want to walk you in even if you aren't screaming FedEx or Die!!

The definition of the "zero risk candidate" at FedEx is getting clearer to me.

BTW, you guys rock!

 

[jjetpilot]

Go BROWN........cuz yer NOSE IS

 

[jjetpilot]

Thanks Falconjet.
BTW, you guys rock!

too funny......

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Go BROWN........cuz yer NOSE IS

Guilty as charged.

 

[maxpwrset]

My own personal experience... When my company announced layoffs, I got the network gin all spooled up again, and within short order I had a couple friends willing to sponsor me at purple, a blue dart in the wings, and several friends at another carrier waiting to help.

In the end, I pursued employment at the place I wanted to work most first. I also kept the other people informed and was upfront about it. Had I not been hired at my number one choice, I would have moved to the number two, and so on. They all knew this and respected my honesty. And I know that should things change, as they sometimes do in this whacky business, they are still there waiting to help me, with no feelings of ill will.

I respected them too much put them in a position that compromised their credibility. I agree totally about doing what's best for your family, I also believe strongly in having some integrity in how I deal with those who are willing to stick their neck out for me. JME/O...

 

[LearLove]

This summer will be 5 years that I've been applying to both. Whichever calls first if they ever call at all. I don't know anyone close enough at either FDX or UPS to get a "walk-in". Guess I'm on my own.

 

[b757driver]

Common sense should tell you, as have several posters above, that you are "working" for yourself and your future career - not to have a smart answer for the interview board of "....you were my preferred carrier of choice". Both the company and your sponsor should realise this. In today's world, you may have a number one choice but where is the GUARANTEE that they will even call you, let alone hire you. Make no mistake, it is still dog eat dog out there.
Do what is right for yourself and your family and be honest about it - it should be not secret. People get pissed off for all kinds of little things nowadays. Life is too short, don't worry about it. It's the first at the winning post that counts. I have lost count of the times I have been waiting for my #1 to call/offer a job/a class date and NEVER did. If I had not pursued my 2nd or 3rd choice, I wouldn't have one now!!!!