UPS, ABX, FEDEX, or commute to SWA at MDW?

[Lafe]

Looking for advice on what I'm missing:
I'm exiting the air force very soon, will be flying part time with Springfield, Ohio Guard, and trying to figure which major I'd fly for if the stars all aligned and I had my choice. My number one [combination] goal is to live in Southern Ohio and take care of my Mother and family WHILE NOT COMMUTING (QOL, don't want to be gone unless I'm earning money). I know....already hit a showstopper and we ain't got started yet. Right now, my choice would be UPS for a lot of reasons, but that's still 3+ hour drive to SDF. ABX is 1 hour drive from my Mother's mailbox, but I assume that they aren't hiring. Far as I can tell, noone domiciled at CVG or CMH is hiring, and I don't know of any majors at all that domicile at DAY. I'll appreciate all input anyone is willing to offer.
(By the way, why are there always FEDEX birds on the ramp at Rickenbacker, but noone domiciles there?)
Thanks!

 

[AlbieF15]

What you are missing seems to be part of the big picture.

Would you commute to make twice as much money for one company as another? Would you stay at home to "avoid not making money commuting" if that meant being an FO for ten years instead captain in 5? Would you commute if it made it more likely the job you get in 2006 is there in 2016 or 2026? Would you move 1.5 hours south of town to have a chance to sit reserve in your own home at UPS and drive 1.5 hours north to go see family a few days a week?

There is no "right" way to play the game, but a little flexibility in your decision making will open a lot more possibilities. FYI...those guys on the ramp with FDX are likely either A) laying over across the weekend or B) deadheading (getting a commerical ticket to/from that area) to or from that field. If A) the dude from that area who COMMUTED in to work is now getting PAID to be laying over in his home town Sat-Mon. If B) he/she has a commerical ticket he/she can use to fly either to their home OR they can use the ticket later in the month if they are local and want to drive home. In that case, they are paid for the time they would be on the commerical flight, regardless of whether or not they actually fly the deadhead (DH) leg. I expect those tirps are being held by someone fairly senior on their respective seats so they can spend this extra time at/near home. UPS and FDX have slightly different work rules in this area, but the punchline is either company offers a lot of advantages for commuters over the hub/spoke passenger companies.

Another point...most of our info here is revealed in our profiles. A few of us even have our names/callsigns in our screennames. Most of us, however, don't have our work info on the boards--technique only but otherwise you'd be getting a lot of this...

Albie
Lieutenant Colonel/FLANG/F-15 IP/UIP/IP/Combat Vet/Combat FAC/727 First Officer/PornStarWashout/InterviewCoach/SarcasticbecauseitslateandI'muponflightinfo insteadofinbedwhereIshouldbe(again)mywifeissurelyp!ssedI'mstillonthe stupidcomputer

 

[Jurassic Jet]

I just heard on the local news today that the Springfield guard unit is getting closed down in the latest round of closings.

And ABX isn't hiring right now. Been hearing rumors of possibly next year though FWIW.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Albie's got the word on FedEx. But I like to think of it this way. If you have even a little seniority on the 727, you get paid to "commute" to where your trips starts and ends, for the hub turn lines. Your commuting day is a day of pay. But you are gone almost a week at at time and flying at night.

At SWA you commute on your day off or bid a late line and commute that morning. Usually you are unable to commute on the last day and spend the night in domicile and commute back on your day off. Not paid to commute. But you fly during the day. Day trips, I think, are on wide bodies at FedEx held by senior dudes.

If you want to commute, look at what flights SWA has near you. Find out what the loads usually are. It is always easier to commute on your own airline if you work for SWA.

Commuting by a 3 hour drive. That is better than it sounds. Better than my commute by air and I could leave when I want. You should show up an hour before takeoff at the gate for jumpseating. 30 minutes at the latest.

 

[TheBaron]

Commuting to MEM out of Columbus should be easy. FedEx has 2 flights a day Tue-Fri and 1 on Sat-Mon from Rckenbacker to Memfo. Depending on parking at the ramp and other factors, a 1:15 flight beats a 3 hour drive for commuting. I commute SDF to MEM 1 or 2 times a week and it couldn't be easier. There are also plenty of trips available that have DH's on both ends so you don't have to begin in MEM. Plenty of day trips available for the Boeing, but they do tend to go more senior, however, with 300+ new hires in the next year, seniority comes pretty quickly if you're willing to stay seated sideways. Good Luck.

 

[capt. megadeth]

Do you have interviews lined up at all 4? Because if you don't, the first thing I would worry about is getting in line behind about 12,000 people that already have applications in. Then I would worry about getting an interview at at least one. Then, I would worry about getting the job. THEN, I would worry about your first choice.....if you even have a choice. Good luck though.

 

[LittleLearBoy]

Out of the five posts (not including mine) I think you need to take the last one first(Capt Megadeth), and put that on the top of "things to do" list, before you worry about the others.

Good luck.

 

[TheDonger]

C'mon don't pee on his Cheerios dude. It's just another statistic in the land of misfit pilots.

 

[TGR]

The reality is, in this environment, you will probably go with the first one that offers a class date. But its probably good you are thinking about your options right now. You need to figure out what will work best for you then put that company #1 and take Megdeaths advice and focus on getting hired there. Thats whats really important.

Just some food for thought. The Guard thing is great--easy money. But you will come to the point where you are losing money by going to the unit to fly a double. For me, long term quality of life is better living close to domicile and commuting to the ANG. Im not the commuting type-- did it for a few years -- too stressful and time consuming. It works for others, but you are away more. Definitely dont commute to both.

Good luck.

 

[OUT]

Do you have interviews lined up at all 4? Because if you don't, the first thing I would worry about is getting in line behind about 12,000 people that already have applications in. Then I would worry about getting an interview at at least one. Then, I would worry about getting the job. THEN, I would worry about your first choice.....if you even have a choice. Good luck though.

But he's military. He's entitled to go strait to the majors and bypass the regionals, unlike us civilian types.