FXLAX

I agree that it’s better just to get it right from the beginning. But any notion of the unknown, whether it be a real concern or not (I don’t believe so), should not prevent someone from voting what is best in their mind. The choices are, spend the time to fix it in a relatively short time or wait until the next section 6 negotiations, years away.

Anthrax

tell us mote about the grass, dummy.

you’ve made up your mind: go ahead and vote yes.

Viejo

I also have been here about 1.5 years. This post is the absolute truth.

CatIIAutoLand

Did a thread like this ever exist prior to about 6 months ago? Seriously, where was all this info BEFORE I made my decision to move. The grass may not be greener but if I knew all of this before I made the move, I likely would have stayed put. I caution any pilot currently at or with a CJO from a Legacy from making the switch. I can't predict the future but I doubt that this gig will be what it once was made out to be ever again. The change in leadership is making sure of that.

I'm not saying I believed it was all unicorns and rainbows at FedEx, but I really had no idea these sentiments existed in the crew force. I'm just glad I'm not alone in the way I've been thinking. It seems that from not only here, but also those I talk to around my peer group, that the same sentiments exist within the crowd hired in the previous two years or so.

I remember during my interview and indoc all I heard was "you're gonna love it here" and "you're gonna make so much money". Neither has been true so far. It's 100% a Job. That can be good or bad but I in no way bleed Purple. I show up, do what I need to, and go home.

Here's to hoping this young crowd has the fortitude to stick around and force change in a positive way. We can do it if we stick together and make it so

CatIIAutoLand

Great ideas. I'll be adding these to my list of improvements I want to see soon. As it stands right now, I will never bid another seat if it means I have to stand reserve. Our reserve rules are too terrible for me to do it as a commuter. Not until things change!

gasnhaul

Guys/gals…leave!

I’m saying this not as in I don’t want you here. I’m saying this because nothing gets the company’s attention and possible new hires attention more than a flood of people voting with their feet and walking out the door. I’ve been here for too long and am too old but even with my years on property I’m so disgusted with everything that if I were 5 years younger I’d be dusting off my resume and looking (and who knows…if the contracts are THAT good and I could live in base I still might consider it). With the hiring going on elsewhere, everywhere, if you’ve been here 5 years or less or are 45 or younger you should very seriously be looking… and if you’re a poolie or looking to come here, DON’T! We are over staffed, the company seems completely clueless as to what the future holds (FedEx pulled their guidance going forward and see the giant sort facility right in the middle of the MEM ramp that STILL isn’t operational), we have ZERO leverage for negotiations (see the over staffed comment), and after earning this place billions in profits during the pandemic they now want to turn their backs on us and tell us to pound sand when asking for a new contract (we do get plenty of pats on the back via email tho). We have minimal retirements, are parking more airplanes and aren’t planned to start taking many deliveries until FY24. China opening up could change things around but it also means more pax flying ie more belly freight as well. The TNT integration has never panned out as hoped, I think management went full in on e-retail being the way forward forever and forgot that when passenger flying starts full up belly freight goes right along with it. And since we told everyone we can’t get it there overnight anymore without completely exorbitant fees people have decided they don’t REALLY need things that quickly and are happy to wait another day or two to get it at which point they don’t need/use us or *gasp* they go to an actual store and buy it🙄

Sadly this place will NEVER change. There are too many who think being a “freight dog” is a way of life and not dealing with TSA, pax and wherever else are job benefits that are included in QOL. Realize must of our old guys were folks that couldn’t get hired by the majors back in the day because they were black sheep with spotty records or sparkling personalities (you’ve apparently already met a few). The old “hauling rubber dog $hit outta Hong Kong” comes to mind. People came here because they couldn’t get on with the big boys…that’s your senior dudes.

Finally, I used to think the A Fund was a main reason to come here. I now see it as a trap…it’s going to go away at some point. It’ll probably be after I’ve retired and think I’m gonna have it for retirement only to find the company is “bankrupt” and I now get pennies on the dollar from the PBGC. Speaking of retirement, I can’t believe how many folks don’t know/have never heard of the PSPP AKA pancake plan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm_K3B_Xbws Before it was “stabilized” it was “variable”. They (the Union) changed the name four times (I think). They (the Union) tried to get rid of the A plan on their own outside of Section 6 negotiations! Oh and by the way never could explain exactly what it was other than “it can’t lose money”😒. No one I EVER spoke with wanted/asked for it but they (the Union) knew better and were/are smarter than all of us so we should just blindly follow their all knowing lead! And in the end the COMPANY said no😂 but we never knew how much money was spent on this pile o’ $hit that no one but our illustrious Union leaders wanted. You’re better off with a 401K and profit sharing because the money is YOURS!

The green pastures don’t lay under your feet here. We’ve already had the cargo carve out for safety…single pilot ops will be next. I’d come here as a last resort if you can’t get on with a legacy or you want to live in Memphis for some unfathomable reason. Otherwise seek greener pastures with the airlines and enjoy your career!

Gas

FDX1

Clearly, reading comprehension isn't your strong suite. This comment is about the OP's thoughts on career choice, and zero to do with a vote on a TA that none of us has actually viewed yet. Idiot.

Anthrax

really? we don’t have a TA to vote on. never knew

how stupid are you!

chanandlerbong

Yes, WHERE was this information over the last 6-12 months? Leaving the military, I sought out FedEx for a long time. It wasn't some COVID-inspired dream; I was led to believe that this was THE place to be. My experience has been "good" overall so far, but the hype died down very quickly. I'm open to the idea that the company's behavior could be motivated by contract negotiations, but "never attribute to malice what can be attributed to stupidity" -- this company seems like it has no idea what to do now.

I read the archives of the FedEx (and UPS...and all the legacy carriers) forums all the way back to just after the '08 meltdown before interviewing (and talked to many friends, and looked at non-APC sources), and though it was made clear that no airline is perfect and that FedEx has the standard cargo operator drawbacks, the terrible work rules (things that go beyond just "reserve is bad"), odd pay system (other posters have talked about this enough), and all the other little details were never mentioned...and believe me, I asked. Do guys here just want everyone to think that they have the most coveted job in the industry? When we're having guys in BI get their assignments changed with no notice, and when we're still interviewing when the writing is on the wall that these guys/gals will be swimming in the pool for (potentially) a LONG time, it just shows that someone doesn't have their act together.

So, as a junior guy whose family is ~3-4 hrs from NYC (but we'll never live close enough to NYC to drive...closer to Boston...not moving) and who also turned down DAL to be here (ouch), what's the best move? Ride this thing out, go to UAL/AA, beg DAL for another interview (yeah right), go to JB just so I can drive? Yeah, I get it, I'm just asking a bunch of random people on the internet for advice, but now that people are finally being honest about FDX (and no one anywhere else is, even to this day), I at least have to ask.


I don't hate it here, and I'd much rather stay vs starting all over again, but I feel compelled to ask. There are probably others out there who do too. Fire away. There's no harm in someone calling you an idiot on the internet...you might just get some good advice along the way.

FXLAX

Can’t hurt to interview somewhere else. You can’t make a choice unless one is on the table.

It seems like many here take it personal when someone complains about work rules. They are the ones who typically will say, “Delta is still hiring“ or “leave if you don’t like it here.” I think that that mentality is starting to change with a majority of the seniority list having been hired in the last 7 years. I feel like we now have more pilots willing to speak out about all the industry lacking work rules. And in my honest opinion, that is a good thing. You can’t make something better if you don’t think it’s bad to begin with. You have to admit there is a problem before you can tackle that problem.