SWA/FEDEX Question

[TeeTime]

Does anyone know how flexible SWA & Fedex are when it comes to scheduling? Is it easy to trade or drop trips between bases? Can you go below min. guarantee (and take the pay hit) or take time off without pay/ personal leave? Thanks.

 

[klhoard]

It's directly proportional to how thin or fat they are in your seat. . .
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As far as taking pay hits. . . I've heard about guys who fly for FedEx "part time". . meaning they have another job (law practice, stock broker, ect.) and drop most of their trips every month and only fly when it's convenient to keep the benefits / retirement.

 

[sandman2122]

Pretty easy

Dropping trips is pretty easy at FedEx, all via computer. In special circumstances one might contact thier Asst. Chief Pilot. If it's not a holiday or scheduling is short in your crew position, you can normally drop a trip.

 

[donger]

I have been working the line at FedEx for a very short period of time, and during the month of Nov, I was able to drop all my reserve days but four. I did it just to see how far they would let me go. Then I picked up trips in "open time" to make my money for the month. Good system, even better if you carry a laptop around with you (wireless is key too!)

 

[klhoard]

Yeah, until they get fat in your seat and you're left with a bunch of "General Makeup" and no trips in open time. . .

 

[donger]

Then you just save that general make-up for when you make more than first year pay!

 

[737tanker]

At SWA trip trades between pilots are unlimited. All you need is for someone to want to pick up your trip. We have Capts in BWI who give away all there flying & pick up in HOU so they don't have to commute. As for going below guarantee that is not a problem, you can give away your whole month & not fly at all if that is you what you want to do. Again provided pilots want to pick up, which is usually not a problem. As for being granted personal leave the chiefs are fairly flexible, & depending on the situation will work something out with the pilot.

 

[TeeTime]

Thanks for the input guys. I want to make sure I have time to work on the golf game if I get hired!

 

[LEROY]

The scheduling supercomputer at FedEx seems to be pretty whimsical. Sometimes people can drop R-days left and right; some days it's impossible. I was told recently that the computer took over the R-day scheduling completely, but there's still a "man in the loop" for trips.
BTW, I've been surfin' open time for late January every day with no good prospects. Why don't some of you senior guys drop a few goodies for us VTO bums once in a while!?!?!?
P.S. I'm not really complaining, the trips I am able to hold are great, and the fact that I can hold trips is even better!!!