MD11Fr8Dog

Who care which way you sit for a year or so?! Heck, I try to sit at home as much as I can!

You sound like the guy from SWA airlines that was pooled at FedEx. When he got the call with a class date and was offered MD-11 in ANC, he said his wife didn't want to move to ANC, so our chief pilot made it easy on him and left him at SWA. He wasn't willing to commute for a year to 18 months? sheesh!

B767

Pilot7576,
The NWA part was a joke. I know the majors aren't exactly hiring hundereds each month (although they are turning profits). I have researched the majors. Now I'm trying to understand the freight side. I know good and well what each medical is for, especially since I have a first, but using it as a second because it's been over six months and I haven't got the first renewed. So, I think I'm fine in that area. However, a while back I thought I heard someone saying that they were flying for Fed Ex with a second class. I was 13 or 14 at the time and probably heard wrong (this guy is a pretty senior FO on the MD-11 for Fed Ex).

Some info. I still am many many many years away from an airline/freight career. I'm simply asking questions. No need for the personal attacks.

I know nothing about FEs except that they have the majority of the switches on their panel, switches that modern cockpits have for the most part done away with. Like Airbum said, all I have are uneducated views of the FE position.

Oh, by the way, I'm not trying to impress anyone.

MalteseX

I can't speak to FedEx specifically, but I can speak to your questions generally--
FedEx hires into the FE position for the majority of folks; but they have recently hired into the right seat directly.
Guys are bidding out of the back in less than a year, depending on the aircraft (727 shorter, wide bodies longer); depending on the domicile etc. it may be more than a year.
You need a 1st Class medical to be hired. You need a 2nd class to be a FE or an FO (some of the aircraft may require 1st class for FOs)
You sound young: normally the younger you are, the more you want to get into the right seat; fly for low pay; fly for free, pay for training etc. You'll get grief from a lot of guys because as you get older--seniority in seat becomes more important (quality of life; time with kids/family; dislike of being 'on the road' etc); Also, you'll get grief because there are many guys that were check airmen/chief pilots at regionals; or Colonels, Navy Captains etc from the military (that were in charge of hundreds of guys and countless $$$ of equipment) AND they sat sideways when hired at companies that had engineers. That is the reaction people get when reading a post such as your original one.
They probably didn't want to fly sideways either; but did it gladly.

It's a great job. I would not think TWICE about dismissing FedEx or UPS because you may have to fly sideways.

Just think: by the time you are competitive, there may not be FE positions left.

Lifizgud

MalteseX - Most excellent post.

CL65driver

Speaking of the FE being a dying breed, is it true that FedEx was looking at 737s an 757s to replace their 727s? Their youngest 72 is from 1984 or something, right?

B767

Indeed I am young. But not young enough to one of "those guys" -fly for low pay; fly for free, pay for training etc And no, by the time I'm competetive Fed Ex will still be flying the 727s around the country. At one point I also heard they were looking for replacements, so I asked someone and he said not for ten years or so.

captain_drew

YOU sound like someone I would REALLY like to have on MY crew! What a POS!

Want the job . .but don't want to 'pay the dues' . . like the REST of US had to do! A REAL team player!

When you are ready, ask me for a recommendation to the Chief Pilot. . he and I are tight

.. as an addendum:

I traded a Left seat in the Falcon for a back seat in the B-727, when we first got them in '78. It was a 'quality of life' issue. Why should guys WAY junior to me have nice layovers in LAX . .while I was Captaining into PIA, ATW, MKE -and other garden spots -in January?

I stayed side-saddle for a little more than 5 years (4 more than seniority required-could have gone to the right seat in year) . . again for 'quality of life'. . . and having a schedule which allowed me to fly the C-9 in the Reserves 11 days a month.

It was a good move, all around -particularly in allowing me to 'learn' the A/C, from the panel forward . .and pick up invaluable tips from the various front-enders I flew with. Frankly, I think you are stupid for wanting to hop scotch the FE seat . . as you REALLY get to LEARN the jet from that position. You could tell the Captains who never sat back there . . I would catch them staring at the panel . .eyes glazed over . .not having a CLUE as to what was going on back there.

I spent 6 months in the Right seat before moving to the Left . . and NEVER regretted the time I spent back there. You are VERY foolish in your 'attitude'.

B767

Alright, so maybe instead of criticizing me, someone like you, captain_drew, with your expertise, could list the pros and cons to help me out, you daftee. Read my earlier messages, I'm looking for answers, trying to understand the FE position. Maybe I'm a bit foolish and have uneducated views because I know nothing of the position. Didn't know it was foolish to learn something new and try to understand it.

Pilot7576

B767...

You have been on this forum for over a year and you're trying to learn about the fe position? Most people here have names that indicate what they fly, rock bands, favorite celebrities or such. Your moniker indicates to me you fly the 767 in some capacity...that is why you took (and are taking such grief). If you start out by saying, "Hey, I'm just a stupid teenager with a few questions" you will get a far better response than telling us you want to fly the plane and not flip switches. If you're able to hold a first class medical (which I doubt you have because you don't need one) then you would know what a second class is good for.

We have all the time in the world for kids who want to learn more...but we give short shrift to smarta$$ kids who are trying to push buttons.

JMO

Pilot7576

B767

I'm an 18 yr old with PPL going to UND in August - thus the need for a first class. I'm not trying to push buttons. No, obviously, I don't fly the 767, it's just my fav a/c and would love to fly it one day.

I'm not trying to tick anyone off or demean the FE position in any way shape or form. Sorry for the misunderstanding.