Originally Posted by JohnWick757

Just thinking out loud:

I'm grateful for the opportunity along with those who've helped me along the way. However lately I've been having a some buyer's remorse. Just over a year ago I left a pax legacy carrier for opportunity to join purple. Previously I was told and unfortunately led to believe that Fedex is the place to be. With that information I made the tough decision to forfeit 4 years of seniority at an airline in Charlotte. There are many pros here, however it's just a different world, and the schedules are not what I expected. Yes, block hours flown are down, however my overall happiness, health, and job satisfaction is nothing compared to what I experienced at my previous airline; even with their flaws. I'm thinking I may have made a major career mistake. Tell me I'm wrong and off base.

Originally Posted by C2078

One obvious recommendation. You already reset your seniority, started over, left a decent job after almost 5 years. You might be on the younger side, but not getting any younger. Starting over resets vacation accrual, QOL, etc. Think long and hard and stick with a final decision. Fedex is a good job, albeit not the job it used to be. It has many flaws, but so do all aviation jobs. Fedex is not going anywhere. You may remain junior for longer than expected, but still a good job. With 4-5 years seniority at AA, I definitely would not have left, but if I did, no way I am backtracking. My recommendation (probably worth *******) is stay, be a little patient. It will work out. Fedex is going through some major pains/adjustments, transitioning from a mom and pop operation (FS micromanaging) to a traditional corporate cut throat operation. Southwest going through the same thing, albeit much further along. Of course I don’t work at Fedex but one doesn’t need to work there to clearly see the problems but also see the advantages. Top 2 cargo/logistics company in the world, very good/valuable network, they simply need to adjust faster to changing demand and get their crap together operationally, which they will. Notice they have affirmed their intention to keep taking delivery of planes, either for replacement or growth. That is a good sign.

Stick with it. You may go to another Legacy and enjoy rapid seniority progression for a couple of years, only for some new event to happen and finding yourself in an uncomfortable position. Fedex will be fine, short term pain should not last very long.

Originally Posted by busdriver12

Interesting posts from people who’ve only been at FedEx for a few years. People who have only had a small sample of the life cycle at FedEx and are ready to jump ship.

I retired last year after 26 years at FedEx and a couple of years at American before that. No comparison. I always thought I’d rather be the bottom seniority holder at FedEx than the top at a pax carrier. Easy for me to stay, even during the tough times. Was able to retire at 58 because FedEx still has a pension, definitely couldn’t have done that at AA.

Understand, everything is cyclical. Before you know it, the pax carriers will have a downturn, people will be downgraded and many will be furloughed. This would have happened in 2020 and have been very ugly if both the Trump and Biden administration had let the chips fall as they should, and not ponied up billions of taxpayers dollars. Next time, they might not do so.

You can always improve your life at FedEx with a bit of effort. You can make the best of every situation, whether it’s 4A2B (or C), reserve, being very junior, there are so many ways to work things to your advantage. Pick up good trips that drop into sick time, drop crap trips, check open time often for extra pairings, schedule medical procedures on reserve (but call off sick and pull at least one day). Get a friend who uses mil leave and has a healthy sick bank to pass onto you, get a group of people that you trip trade with (so instead of dropping good trips, you offer them to each other). I could write many paragraphs about how to make your life better, it’s all there at FedEx, no matter your seniority. I never understood why people flew garbage trips, I never did (unless CRS mangled the trip). Never could do any of this at AA, though maybe their rules have changed.

Originally Posted by J3nkums

This 100%. Make peace with the decision you made and find exactly what works for you at Purple. The absolute worst move imo you could make right now is hit reset and go back to another legacy.

Originally Posted by Stan446

Harvey Watt is definitely not on the pilot's side.

Originally Posted by pwdrhound

No one says they are. I’m not talking “surgery” to remove a freckle on your butt, but if you are gonna have surgery with full anasthesia for any fractured bones or some type of reconstructive surgery like a hip replacement for example, I would personally reach out to the Union to get their advice and at least get it on record before listing yourself sick, which you clearly would not be in such a scenario. That’s what I’ve always done. You may be surprised what they tell you. That way you have some recourse if things were to turn nasty. At the end of the day, people need to handle things how they see fit but I would wanna be cautious especially if on probation as people have gotten canned here before for knowingly stretching the truth. You have zero protection when on probation.

Originally Posted by FXLAX

Is it really 1.5 hours though? I’ve heard it “interpreted” as 1 hour. Yeah, worse than mesa.

Originally Posted by Freighthumper

I had a knee replaced a little while back. Union said call in sick then use DSA, FDX pilot administration said same and was incredibly easy to work with. I was shocked how easy the whole process was.