Serious Question: CAL or FEDEX

[LivinDaDream]

I have been extremely lucky. I have offers from both CAL and Fedex.

Besides the obvious pay reasons for the first few years, what would you do and why???

 

[i'mbatman]

Unless flying through the night is completely not your cup o' tea i know where i'd go.

 

[RocketRob]

Tough call. I'm happy at CAL and enjoy the variety of flying / equipment (nice and new/clean). But I have a buddy whose on the panel on the 727 at FedEx and is happy. Personally I prefer the lifestyle better on the airline side. Plus you enjoy your days off better when you haven't been up all nights on the road.

Prepare for many opposing views.

good luck on whatever your choice is

 

[Superpilot92]

lucky you, i wish i had your problems.

 

[D-Jumbo]

As RocketRob said, be ready for many different opinions, but then again I believe that is what you are looking for. I for one would go Cargo all the way, I really don't think the turmoil in the Airline (read Legacy Airline) industry is over, not by a long -shot. We haven't seen the last of the mergers yet, how would you do at CAL when they merge with .... UAL, or someone else? I truly think it will ans has to come to this sooner or later, and I for one don't want to be on the furlough list again. Flying on the opposite side of the clock is a very small price to pay for stability. Good luck!!

 

[Halo_RJdriver]

No Brainer

#1 Fedex
#2 Cal

 

[capt. megadeth]

#1 Fedex
#2 Cal

I agree

 

[Green]

Fedex has quite a few widebodies on order, Cal is doing everything they can to keep their head above water. Fedex will probably pay out close to double over your career. Also a merger, which is likely, could very well put you on the street for a few years. I don't see a single reason for picking CAL, except of course the hot FA's. lol

 

[SeaLord]

I'd go CAL but only because I actually like people....and flying them in the daytime.......and because my wife makes a fair income to supplement my alleged career. Safe bet? Cargo is much more stable.

 

[propjob27]

Lets be honest here. We shouldn't even be having this discussion. It's almost in bad taste, ie. showing off.

This is a decison you should be able to make on your own.


CAL:

• FA's to drink with on layovers
• Daytime flying
• Right seat of 757/767 and international flying with less than 1 year senority
• Travel benefits for your family
• Huge number of retirements in the next 5 years.

FedEX:

• 2nd year pay on the Bus/MD-11 is $117/hr. Guys are holding this before their 1st year is even up. You know how long it takes to break $100/hr at CAL?
• Compare retirement packages
• Job security
• Out of the cut-throat 'airline environment'. Not constantly trying to cut costs (read: pilots payscales) to stay competitive with LLC's
• 2nd year widebody pay is $117/hr. Ohh wait, did I allready mention that?
• A new contract is in the near future with even better pay and work rules

CAL has had several people leave recently for FedEX, myself included.

Like the other guy said, its a 'no brainer'. Take the Jan class at FedEX.

 

[michael707767]

Go with Fedex. Do not get involved in the airline industry if you an avoid it. Fedex is not an airline.

 

[pilot141]

Having done both (not CAL but AA in the good times) and FedEx, I'd say go with FedEx. If you already have the offer then you could be in class in January.

The growth in 2006 is going to be huge - upwards of 30 widebodies on the property (maybe more). The bid in the spring is rumored to have 300 (!) new weidebody CA positions. The training dept has been told to get ready for the biggest hiring year ever. Three classes confirmed in Jan.

Oh, and a pay raise coming along with (most likely) an increase in the B-fund and some better Intl trip rigs and the best vacation system in the industry.

If you go to the back of the Boeing you will be holding day flying lines within 6 months of finishing IOE. If you go to the right seat of the Boeing you will be holding B reserve (noon-midnight; ie day flying) within 6 months of finishing IOE.

Downsides: no F/As, night flying if you are junior, no travel benefits for the girlfriend/family.

I've made my decision: I'm not going back to AA, even though I liked the F/As and used the hell out of the non-rev privileges. I flew for 10 years in the military with no F/As, and I make enough at FedEx to buy my tickets when I want to go on vacation.

Good luck, and congrats on your "dilemma".

 

[COpilot]

I've been at CAL for 18 years, I really like it, and think its a great career.

I'd take FedEx if I was you.

 

[coogebeachhotel]

"daylight flying" at Cal ????? What about the international flying. Leave at 6-11 pm and fly all night to Europe.

FedEx no question

 

[Goose17]

If it's daylight you want...

I've been at FedEx for 4 years now and can count on one hand how many times I've taken off past midnight. We have a ton of day flying and even when I was junior, I was able to trade my night stuff for day stuff.

I do (for now) live in Memphis and this is a big part of why I have been able to avoid night flying.

Good luck with your decision. Lots of valid points are listed above.

Goose17

 

[twiceskunkeddog]

Definately CAL!!!

I only say that so that there's one more slot for me!!!

TSD

 

[sgu]

If I were you and I wish on my lucky stars it was me, I'd go to FedEx! As many have stated before the airline industry is in shambles and there is no guarantee that CO would be able to avoid trouble. Good luck with your FedEx career.

 

[1800 RVR]

Dispell some myths...

I'm recent hire with UPS, and, yes, there is alot of night flying, but there is still daytime flying. In my seat, I can hold a day rsv shift (11 am to midnight). Even the night shift is not bad. In my a/c, most trips are 1 leg into a sort, sit 3-4 hours, then 1 leg back to where you started; almost all legs are 1:30 long and under. It is not a bad gig. Granted, there are other fleets that will work you to the bone every night if you are junior.

I flew single-pilot night freight for US Check and while that was fun flying, it kicked my butt. Those hours were so much harsher than these hours. I feel fine on my off days, and the only times that I have felt tired when getting home were because of my own choosing (i.e. commuting home after working at night). Otherwise, it is not bad at all.

The biggest thing that you should consider is the stability of cargo vs. pax. Many posters have already touched upon those issues, so I will not rehash. But I think the best advice that was given already is that, you, and only you can decide what is best for you. The rest of this is just mental gymnastics.

Good luck to you and congrats for being in a position to choose to work for 2 fine companies!

 

[GogglesPisano]

I really get tired of these "which job should I take, I'm so f'ing lucky aren't I?"

You know the answer. It lies within (or in Yoda-speak, "Lies within, it does.")

 

[USNFDX]

I really get tired of these "which job should I take, I'm so f'ing lucky aren't I?"

You know the answer. It lies within (or in Yoda-speak, "Lies within, it does.")

May I suggest you not visit this board................

 

[c5driver]

Schedules

Got a quick question. I know it varies but what is the avg time you spend on the road with FedEx or UPS? I've heard something like 6-7 on with 6-7 off. What are you newhires doing right now? Thanks!

Oh yeah: Go with FedEx!

 

[BoilerAV8TR]

I definitely agree this is in poor taste. If you can't make a decision like this based on your own situation (family, location, finance, etc.) maybe you should seek some counseling. Seems like you might be the guy in the bar on the overnight with a uniform shirt on minus shoulder boards telling the waitress what a cool airline pilot you are. I don't know you and don't wish to prejudge you or piss anyone off, but that is how you come across asking this question on the flightinfo pages...


ps. good luck at CAL, one more slot for the rest of us at FDX

 

[semperfido]

stay away from airlines..there haven't been too many fedex pilots on furlough...move to mempho and have a nice long prosperous career.

 

[Goose17]

defending

I definitely agree this is in poor taste. If you can't make a decision like this based on your own situation (family, location, finance, etc.) maybe you should seek some counseling. Seems like you might be the guy in the bar on the overnight with a uniform shirt on minus shoulder boards telling the waitress what a cool airline pilot you are. I don't know you and don't wish to prejudge you or piss anyone off, but that is how you come across asking this question on the flightinfo pages...


ps. good luck at CAL, one more slot for the rest of us at FDX

I have no problem with someone asking others their opinion when faced with a decision. We as pilots may think we know it all, but it certainly doens't hurt to get others perspectives who may actually be employed with said options. I understand there may be some jealously by others without either option, but that is to be understood.

Gather all the information you can get, make a decision and don't look back saying "woulda, coulda, shoulda".

Good luck.

Goose17

 

[whymeworry?]

1st yr CAL pay: $27,000, no medical for 6 months
2nd yr CAL pay: $50-60,000

1st yr FEDEX pay: $45-50,000 medical from day one.
2nd yr FEDEX pay: $90-110,000

Plus:
- Boxes don't complain (one pax complaint can end your career).
- F/As? Are you kidding me? Why do guys consider this when making a career decision? The business ain't what it use to be, the F/A factor is irrelevant.
- FEDEX is a cargo delivery company, not an airline... big difference.
- Non-reving? Puullease, with all the coin you make at FEDEX you'll be able to buy your own positive space ticket on the web at pathetic prices, competitive with non-rev rates.
- More NET new airplanes, more widebodys, not happening at CAL anytime soon.
- Mergers: if and when there is industry consiolidation, CAL WILL be bought by UAL. And it will get ugly when it comes to seniority integration.
- Flying at night- The 737 has gone senior for new hires. This is because there is no more international pay, and there is quite a bit of deadheading on the B756 fleet done at 50% of pay. So you will likely end up on the 756 and YOU WILL FLY AT NIGHT! Alot.

The only plus side to CAL in this argument may be the upcoming retirements. But since so many pilots in their infinite wisdom seem to beleive the age will change to 65 +, the retirement issue may be a moot point for few more years.

The conclusion... FEDEX, no question. I'll bet the CAL CEO would leave for FEDEX if he could.

I know many, many CAL pilots who left for FEDEX... I know of no FEDEX pilots who left for CAL.

 

[MINIME]

If you want stability for the forseable future for you and your family, go to FEDX
If you don't want to worry about a possible furlough for at least five years, go to FEDX
If at the end of your career you want to retire VERY comfortable, go to FEDX
If you want to work at a place with possible immunity in case of another attack, go to FEDX
If you want to work at a company that has distinguished itself from other legacies, go to CAL
If you want to deal with people and FAs, go to CAL
If you don't mind being in the middle of a possible merger (personally, I don't think it's gonna happen) then by all means, go to CAL
Finally, since you have a choice, how much money do you want to make in the lifespan of your career?
If your answer is in the higher digits, then it's safe to assume that FEDX can probably better meet your goals.

 

[stonewall]

Goose is right about the day flying. I just started yr 2, F/O 727 sitting R-24 (24 hr callout) this month and holding B (day) reserve in Jan. I got called out on 2 week-long trips this month and both were day flying. We pretty fly around the clock. You WILL fly at night sometime, but after a while you can do all days if you want.

I actually prefer the night hub turns. Your duty days tend to be shorter. I can get to the hotel at 7 am, get 7 hrs sleep, eat, get a good workout, and then have time to chill a while before heading to the airport. On the day trips, the duty days tend to be 11 + hrs. I get to the hotel dead tired, have time to eat, don't feel like working out, and then try to get to sleep. Everyone has a different routine, though.

And the vacation....Jan is a 90 hr bid month. Again, I just started year 2, and vacation wiped out the whole month for me. Woohoo! Once I'm done on the 28th, I don't go back until 2 Feb. Pretty good deal if you ask me.

 

[FedExFlyer]

I have been extremely lucky. I have offers from both CAL and Fedex.

Besides the obvious pay reasons for the first few years, what would you do and why???

Take the FedEx job and go enjoy your Christmas knowing that you have made the right decision..........have a few beverages while your at it and see you on line soon!!

Take the CAL job and ask yourself for the next ___ years.......WTF was I thinking?!?!?

 

[FedExFlyer]

I can get to the hotel at 7 am, get 7 hrs sleep, eat, get a good workout, and then have time to chill a while before heading to the airport.

You jet jockeys always out trying to get a good workout......cut that crap out man.......making us old farts look bad!!!

 

[stonewall]

Gotta do something to counter this wicked chocolate chip cookie habit I've developed since I hit the line. Dam* Subway's and Doubletree's....