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Serious Question: CAL or FEDEX
- Thread starter LivinDaDream
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BoilerAV8TR
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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
ps. good luck at CAL, one more slot for the rest of us at FDX
semperfido
Keep Humpin
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Goose17
Well-known member
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defending
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
BoilerAV8TR said:
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?
Well-known member
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- Sep 17, 2005
- Posts
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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.
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.
Last edited:
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.
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.
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.
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
You smell something??
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FedExFlyer
You smell something??
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schmooze
Well-known member
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- Apr 5, 2002
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- 76
This may or may not have been mentioned previously, but another factor to consider is where you currently live. Your QOL will be much better if you live in or close to your base. From what I hear, FDX has some pretty commutable lines, but depending on where you live, commuting may be a bit more difficult at CAL.
Although I'd choose FDX if I were in your shoes, it really comes down to personal preference. FDX may offer things that cater to you that CAL doesn't and vice versa. Good luck with either company.
Fly safely.
Schmooze
Although I'd choose FDX if I were in your shoes, it really comes down to personal preference. FDX may offer things that cater to you that CAL doesn't and vice versa. Good luck with either company.
Fly safely.
Schmooze
boost
Active member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2005
- Posts
- 38
I have done both and I personally think that you would be crazy not to go to FedEx. You have so many options over here...live where you want with our commuter policy, live in MEM and make more dough, fly domestic, fly international, fly big ones, fly small ones, fly on paid tickets on the airlines to your home city, fly in the day, fly at night. I swear every guy here has found some little niche that works perfect for their life. We are expanding like crazy and with big airplanes.
I know there is a weird kind of "cargo stigma" placed on us by the pax guys (that probably have never flown cargo) but I have never been happier than flying those quiet profitable boxes.
By the way, not all of us cargo guys hate people!
This job just lets me spend more time with the people that really matter!
See you over here amigo!
boost
I know there is a weird kind of "cargo stigma" placed on us by the pax guys (that probably have never flown cargo) but I have never been happier than flying those quiet profitable boxes.
By the way, not all of us cargo guys hate people!
This job just lets me spend more time with the people that really matter!See you over here amigo!
boost
FedExFlyer
You smell something??
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semperfido
Keep Humpin
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FedExFlyer
You smell something??
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FedExFlyer
You smell something??
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