Airline Pilot Shortage

[HooverPilot]

The gouge I have is that FedEx is extremely hard to get into regardless of community (unless you’re a blue angel...). Of course, I am ignorant of the subject and good/bad gouge is all I have.

The biggest issue I see with folks not getting the call from FedEx is that they don’t get their app in early enough. Like FrankTheTank said, FedEx only has about 4,700 pilots, but they get as many apps as Delta/AA/SWA, etc. it takes time for your app to rise up and be noticed. Do yourself the solid and have your apps in early, and update them regularly! I pushed my app 14 months before I retired, updated it every two weeks, and was able to start my second career while still on terminal leave.

 

[Ken_gone_flying]

The biggest issue I see with folks not getting the call from FedEx is that they don’t get their app in early enough. Like FrankTheTank said, FedEx only has about 4,700 pilots, but they get as many apps as Delta/AA/SWA, etc. it takes time for your app to rise up and be noticed. Do yourself the solid and have your apps in early, and update them regularly! I pushed my app 14 months before I retired, updated it every two weeks, and was able to start my second career while still on terminal leave.

I've heard to even get looked at by FedEx you need an internal rec, and that they limit the amount of recs their pilots can give. Is that true?

 

[FrankTheTank]

I've heard to even get looked at by FedEx you need an internal rec, and that they limit the amount of recs their pilots can give. Is that true?

Used to be. Recently it was actually hurting applications but the SCP has told us that is no longer the case. So honestly, non of us really know. I have flown with lots and I mean lots of new hires that did not know anybody here. The computer scores your application so if you have a strong application, it will rise to the top. But I do know for fact, that it takes updates into account. So as previously mentioned, apply as soon as you can and update, update, update. If you can make it to one of our job fairs or find a bud here to Endorse your app then that’s just icing on the cake.

 

[Python]

On a slightly different note...how important is 1000 TPIC for a military guys getting out trying to get to the majors? I may end up just a little shy on that metric by the time my time comes. I hear it’s a magic number for guys making the jump from the regionals, but not sure if that’s the same for the military.

 

[HooverPilot]

I've heard to even get looked at by FedEx you need an internal rec, and that they limit the amount of recs their pilots can give. Is that true?

I did not have an internal rec (personal endorsement) and was hired. Most in my class did not have one either.

And 1,000 TPIC is a magic #. Officially, it is only preferred, but as the Chief Pilot will tell you, they haven’t had a need to hire anyone with less than that.

 

[jarhead]

Some info from UAL hiring dept -

 

[zippy]

On a slightly different note...how important is 1000 TPIC for a military guys getting out trying to get to the majors? I may end up just a little shy on that metric by the time my time comes. I hear it’s a magic number for guys making the jump from the regionals, but not sure if that’s the same for the military.

For the majors in general not a deal breaker provided you’re otherwise meeting hiring minimums (I have a buddy at delta with 0TPIC time and the highlight of his resume being 2500hrs right seat in an RJ for example... he admits he’s a rarity but it is possible).

For FedEx, as previously stated, it’s needed if you want to be considered. Think UPS is still the same way also unless it changed very recently.

 

[Ken_gone_flying]

Used to be. Recently it was actually hurting applications but the SCP has told us that is no longer the case. So honestly, non of us really know. I have flown with lots and I mean lots of new hires that did not know anybody here. The computer scores your application so if you have a strong application, it will rise to the top. But I do know for fact, that it takes updates into account. So as previously mentioned, apply as soon as you can and update, update, update. If you can make it to one of our job fairs or find a bud here to Endorse your app then that’s just icing on the cake.

Got it, thanks. Being in a VR squadron 80% of the discussions are about hiring requirements and interviews. I've got a while before I'll be starting the process so I'm taking in as much as I can early.

 

[FrankTheTank]

Got it, thanks. Being in a VR squadron 80% of the discussions are about hiring requirements and interviews. I've got a while before I'll be starting the process so I'm taking in as much as I can early.

If you ever end up in Millington send me a message and I am more than willing to answer questions over BBQ and beer!

 

[Deleted member 24525]

Some info from UAL hiring dept - View attachment 19452View attachment 19453View attachment 19454

It’s like Christmas every time I see these retirement projection charts.

 

[Deleted member 24525]

Got it, thanks. Being in a VR squadron 80% of the discussions are about hiring requirements and interviews. I've got a while before I'll be starting the process so I'm taking in as much as I can early.

That is the best part about finishing up in the VTs or VRs. I have pity for our peers who are not in a a squadron with a bunch of reservists when they're trying to get out...or dudes who are on the boat....They have nobody to ask those questions...go over apps etc...sucks

 

[Hair Warrior]

Just curious, why is it considered preferable to fly for Fedex as opposed to a passenger airline?

 

[HAL Pilot]

They have the best pilot contract.

Boxes don’t complain

 

[ARAMP1]

Although there have been a few times, recently, that a few new hires have made me feel like I was single piloted

LOL. (hopefully you're not talking about the month we were paired together)

Used to be. Recently it was actually hurting applications but the SCP has told us that is no longer the case. So honestly, non of us really know. I have flown with lots and I mean lots of new hires that did not know anybody here. The computer scores your application so if you have a strong application, it will rise to the top. But I do know for fact, that it takes updates into account. So as previously mentioned, apply as soon as you can and update, update, update. If you can make it to one of our job fairs or find a bud here to Endorse your app then that’s just icing on the cake.

When I was hired two years ago, I didn't know a soul at FedEx. I actually called up Albie Hagan and said "you don't know me, but I was just hired and used Emerald Coast and I have a few questions". (he went out of his way to get me the gouge, btw). I remember right after I was hired if the topic of who sponsored you came up, everyone was surprised that I didn't know anyone. Now, in the last couple years, I've probably ran into 30-35 people who have been hired without an internal rec. Probably even more that I didn't know about since the topic doesn't come up very often. Definitely, today it has little to no bearing if you know a current pilot/employee.

It's kind of a double edge sword of sorts. If someone is an LCA at your company, and they say they've flown with Snuffy before and he'd be a perfect fit, don't you think his word would mean something? Vice versa, I thought I had a good resume (with well over the mins in each of the three airplanes I've been an instructor in), but getting an interview would hinge on if I knew the right people?

 

[ARAMP1]

Just curious, why is it considered preferable to fly for Fedex as opposed to a passenger airline?

Personally, I think it's preferable to fly for whichever airline that has a base in the city where you want to live. My wife's family is from Memphis, so we moved there. They say "when you live in base, it becomes a part time job". Well, when the the grandparents live in base, it takes it to a whole new level.

For FedEx specifically, I think the contract could be better. But, there is so much variety in the flying that it makes it easy if you want to commute. Generally, you'll get paid more and fly less. If you want international, you can bid that. If you want local, you can bid that too. (sometimes even on the same airplane). I was holding local out and back lines while I was still on probation. I did that for the two years I was a first officer. Just flew one leg out somewhere then flew right back. I slept in my own bed every night. I didn't even pack a bag...just showed up with my company issued iPad. My favorite was Knoxville...I didn't even leave the state of TN...just flew 45 minutes there, was on the ground long enough to eat the catering, then flew 45 minutes back. My personal record was from walking out my front door to walking back in my front door in just over 5 hours. But, to each their own.