SWA pilot rejects FDX

[Purpled]

So, was this guy flying for SWA when FDX called him for the interview, or did he start at SWA after he was in the pool at FDX?

The FCIF said that he was a 'pool person from Southwest.' I took that to mean that he was in the pool at both. I guess it's slightly ambiguous, he could have been in our pool and working at SWA but I don't think that would make as much sense.

 

[PurpleInMEM]

My buds at SWA luv it....i started the thread to jab my friend SWA/FO...that's all..it was then hijacked...it wasn't about your friend at all..it was about the jab at SWA/FO and he humorously responded quite well...then someone posted they would rather be unemployed than work at FDX...that sounded idiotic to me..but whatever....and i agree..it would be nice to hear from someone who has done both...different jobs ..different lifestyles....and good luck with the sponsor thing.....and hey purpleinmem...what's up with the bobby brady hall monitor thing...we have moderators...but thanks for your public service announcements...i thought we were all on the same team...and this stuff is funny sometimes...got it...hey is flightinfo a private forum now..since we have to pay....can i say "booby"?

Ahhhh....ok.....

Once again I really have no idea what you're pontificating about, but if you want to imagine me as Bobby Brady then you go girl.

And believe me...we're not on the same team newbie.

Oh and if I forget next month, happy one year flightinfo anniversary!

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

The issue is this: The legacy guys made it difficult for thier fellow pilots to get on a FDX becuase they would take the furlough recall back to thier legacy carrier. FedEx thought they hired lifers....

Now if you are a Legacy guy you have to jump theu more hoops to get hired...

Now, if you work for SWA (maybe JB and Airtran) and want to come to FDX, this guy has skewed JL/KD's perspective..... More hoops?

There are plenty of guys that are ready to come to FedEx without conditionals or tough decisions....

Not saying it is right or wrong, just...it is what it is....

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

since i actually know this guy who passed on the FEDEX offer (he was in my wedding), i thought i would clarify.....

his wife certainly was/is no factor...

money was/is not a factor...

he simply loves SWA, and couldn't go back to flying night freight....

not a choice I would have made, and it certainly didn't helped my chances of getting a sponsor, but it is what it is and everyone makes choices based on their own circumstances and experiences.

i wonder if anyone on this thread has ever actually FLOWN for SWA then left and went to FEDEX ....thats who's opinion i would like to hear.

Then why interview and make your sponser look foolish and ruin it for others at SWA who want to go to FDX? I don't get it?

It seems that JL feels slighted. In which case the SWA guy might have been a bit more diplomatic.... He could've explained that while he was waiting for FEDEX he made progress at SWA and SWA is simply the better choice for his family. etc... Then praise FedEx and wish them well.............

 

[av8trix]

Concur with all. Here is a scenario that some of you may wish to comment on. A buddy of mine is in the FedEx pool. It took him nearly a year and a half to get there. A week after he received his pool letter, Airline X called him for an interview. That airline has a domicile in his hometown. He was subsequently hired at Airline X as well and has a class date in the near future. He told me his FedEx pool letter explicitly said, "don't call us, we'll call you" (in regard to a class date), and that the letter was "not an offer of employment, just a notification that the process of background checks, etc. would continue" (i.e. He's not hired until sitting in class on day one). He asked me for advice. Should he call FedEx to determine if all is well? He isn't the kind of guy who would commit at Airline X and leave as soon as FedEx calls, but he also is struggling with the decision to pass on such a huge opportunity. Any thoughts?

I don't know why he couldn't ask one of his 3+ sponsors to go in to HR and ask for him...probably better than him calling them if he was told not too. I'm surprised his sponsors aren't offering to do that. Otherwise, go where the work is. He may find he loves his job at Airline X, especially if he's living in domicile already. That's a huge benefit. What I did was push off a class date at Airline C until I couldn't stand it anymore....luckily, UPS called in the meantime and I was able to turn down Airline C before class started. But I stressed about the same thing. Didn't want to piss off Airline C by leaving. Someone said this to me that put it all in perspective. "You have to do what is best for you. The airline isn't going to think twice when they furlough you because it is what is best for them." If he starts at Airline X and FedEx calls and it's a better opportunity, then he's got to make the choice that is best for him. It's a good problem to have though.

 

[fox3]

Who cares?

 

[fox3]

Silly Me. Obviously quite a few. I can't believe this thread has so many replies.

 

[Crossky]

you mean you would rather be unemployed that fly for the largest most profitable cargo airline in the world with the best vacation policy, retirement plan and work rules. i guess you don't want to fly widebodies all over the world or even domestically....i guess u don't want to retire a millionaire...and FDX is about 60% dayflying now...you aren't too bright huh?

And FedEx Pilots were picketing with signs and everything just how long ago? Even made the cover of ALPA Pilot.

 

[ferlo]

B...........F.............D..............!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[stonewall]

I don't know why he couldn't ask one of his 3+ sponsors to go in to HR and ask for him...probably better than him calling them if he was told not too. I'm surprised his sponsors aren't offering to do that. Otherwise, go where the work is. He may find he loves his job at Airline X, especially if he's living in domicile already. That's a huge benefit. What I did was push off a class date at Airline C until I couldn't stand it anymore....luckily, UPS called in the meantime and I was able to turn down Airline C before class started. But I stressed about the same thing. Didn't want to piss off Airline C by leaving. Someone said this to me that put it all in perspective. "You have to do what is best for you. The airline isn't going to think twice when they furlough you because it is what is best for them." If he starts at Airline X and FedEx calls and it's a better opportunity, then he's got to make the choice that is best for him. It's a good problem to have though.

Exactly! Just had a M&G at which the ACP encouraged my sponsoree to take a job at Eagle or JB if he was offered one. It would absolutely NOT hurt his chances at FDX. On the contrary, he said, it would show that he was serious about an aviation career. If/when FDX called, his status at either of those airlines would NOT hurt him. However, he DID say this policy does not apply to legacy carriers. You need an "executive referral" in his words to get hired while flying the line at a legacy.

Like aviatrix said, any airline won't show you loyalty if they need to furlough. This is business. You should do everything you can to get hired at as many places as you think you might like to work. If and when offers come in, then you decide.

And, as far as I know, someone turning down FDX has not adversely affected anyone's ability to sponsor someone in the future. Does anyone have any evidence to the contrary besides rumor?

 

[Falconjet]

Concur with all. Here is a scenario that some of you may wish to comment on. A buddy of mine is in the FedEx pool. It took him nearly a year and a half to get there. A week after he received his pool letter, Airline X called him for an interview. That airline has a domicile in his hometown. He was subsequently hired at Airline X as well and has a class date in the near future. He told me his FedEx pool letter explicitly said, "don't call us, we'll call you" (in regard to a class date), and that the letter was "not an offer of employment, just a notification that the process of background checks, etc. would continue" (i.e. He's not hired until sitting in class on day one). He asked me for advice. Should he call FedEx to determine if all is well? He isn't the kind of guy who would commit at Airline X and leave as soon as FedEx calls, but he also is struggling with the decision to pass on such a huge opportunity. Any thoughts?

Your buddy is almost hired. Nothing will stand in the way except for him/her having an accident/incident or DWI while he is in the pool, or a huge downturn in the industry and subsequent halt in hiring.

Otherwise, it is just a matter of time, but that time could be a month, could be a couple of years. More than likely it will only be a few more months, but then they will be "in" at FedEx.

In my opinion if they are Absolutely, Positively sure that they want to go to FedEx I would try to defer the class date with the other carrier as long as possible, hopefully getting the FedEx class before having to attend training or turn down the other offer.

I would only do that once or twice, and only if I was POSITIVE I wanted to work for FedEx. If it took more than a few months, I would go ahead and start with carrier X and then make the decision to stay or go when FedEx called.

If I had the slightest doubt about FedEx or wasn't fully committed, I'd take the first available class at the other carrier and then decide to stay or go when FedEx called. Sitting around waiting (if you have other options) probably isn't the best move for your family.

I would NOT call KD to ask about my status. No how no way. It will happen, the timing is the only issue. I wouldn't jepordize my spot trying to get information that she probably doesn't have anyway.

Good luck to your bud.

FJ

 

[CaptainMark]

Ahhhh....ok.....

Once again I really have no idea what you're pontificating about, but if you want to imagine me as Bobby Brady then you go girl.

And believe me...we're not on the same team newbie.

Oh and if I forget next month, happy one year flightinfo anniversary!

my apologies...it was purpletail...not you..my mistake..i never said i was smart..

 

[FN FAL]

why would confused SWA guys be the central focus of this thread?

 

[SNIZ]

Just to add to the mystery here...rode in the crew bus with what would have been this fella's MD-11 ANC classmate and he said this guy lives in Memphis! Hmm....

 

[pipe]

Concur with all. Here is a scenario that some of you may wish to comment on. A buddy of mine is in the FedEx pool. It took him nearly a year and a half to get there. A week after he received his pool letter, Airline X called him for an interview. That airline has a domicile in his hometown. He was subsequently hired at Airline X as well and has a class date in the near future. He told me his FedEx pool letter explicitly said, "don't call us, we'll call you" (in regard to a class date), and that the letter was "not an offer of employment, just a notification that the process of background checks, etc. would continue" (i.e. He's not hired until sitting in class on day one). He asked me for advice. Should he call FedEx to determine if all is well? He isn't the kind of guy who would commit at Airline X and leave as soon as FedEx calls, but he also is struggling with the decision to pass on such a huge opportunity. Any thoughts?

Your buddy isn't the kind of guy to start at Airline X and leave as soon as FedEx calls?!?!?!?

I'm just throwin' this out there, but Airline X, ANY AIRLINE X, would furlough your buddy in a second. My good friends at AMR taught me that lesson well. No amount of your buddy's loyalty will change modern business reality. Tell him that he should take the Airline X job. If FX calls and he wants that job, he should take it.

Any Chief Pilot that's worth a damn will understand if he leaves. Companies in this business no longer offer loyalty to their employees and loyalty must be a two-way street.

Remember - take the bird in hand, but never, ever stop digging through the bush!

PIPE