El Peso

I don’t think the original poster is talking about a lack of a new TA. I think he/she is realizing that flying freight and the operation that entails is not for him. Sounds like a schedule thing to me, and that’s not changing no matter how good a new TA is.

To the OP. Someone convinced you to leave AA four years in? As we’re on the precipice of a new contract and the retirement wave is just beginning to accelerate? I’d call that person and tell them to get F’d.

RaiderPilot

I’m starting to feel as if I made the wrong choice as well. Year one pay was a total slap in the face and 150k to fly the 75, like we do, doesn’t sound as enticing as 7 years ago. If we can’t get a solid contract- I’m out.

Adlerdriver

Like any airline, FedEx has its warts. So I'm not trying to blow smoke or claim we're the top of the heap. But if you're using your time in the right seat of the 757 as a newer hire to make an evaluation of your decision to come to FedEx, I'd suggest you slow your roll. Flying the 777 or MD-11 internationally or being based in OAK flying double deadheads to Asia is a completely different airline. If all you wanted to do is bang out domestic flying for a career, then you probably SHOULD have stay put.
With some seniority, the domestic gig at FedEx WILL get better but in the end, for many it's still domestic night hub turns on the dark side of the airport. Add in some day flying and consistent deadhead travel as a commuter and it's acceptable.

Huck

I was checking into the Sofitel in Dubai last week. A Fedex captain was waiting to check out. I looked him in the eye and said, "How's it going?" He seemed to be genuinely annoyed at me, mumbled something and shifted to the other side of the lobby.

I turned to my FO and told him this is why we don't have a contract. 7000 miles from home, two of us meet up in uniform, no words are passed. I remember at my regional we were like a flying club. What the hell is wrong with this pilot group?????

ogarmyopar

Perfect I’ll check in with you in 7 years after I get a training slot on the triple after making 65 hours a month on narrowbody pay without any ability to work more or fly for premium pay. What a weird system this whole make up bank bs…

Dakota

Seriously?

Nightflyer

He might have been deaf and not understood what you said.

pwdrhound

I've been here for well over two decades and sad to say this is not the Airline it once was that we were all proud to work for. Quality of life has continually degraded over the years with each contract and has only been offset with seniority. Having seniority is an absolute key here for long term health and sanity. Ever since Fred's departure at the helm the management of the company really appears to have taken a slide for the worse and it's sad to see as this is our baby, at least for those of us that have been here a while. What I see happening at Fedex post Fred is analogous to the post Herb era at Southwest. I sure hope the ship gets righted.

We are not valued and are being treated more like third tier pilots with each passing day as the company placates us with empty thank you's and tales of financial woe all while doing stock buy backs and looking for ways to outsource our flying. I love this company but we as a pilot group do not appear to be part of the Fedex PSP moto any longer as far as I can tell. The Fedex retirement "carrot" is becoming more worthless for potential new hires with each passing day with zero indication that the company wants to rectify it, quite the contrary. If you are senior, this is still a good place to work, but far from the best place it once was in the glory days of Fedex and that's unfortunate.

If I was a relative new hire here with a few years of seniority and a 25+ year career ahead of me, I would have to think long and hard about polishing that resume having it ready to go just waiting to see if we get a contract that recognizes our worth and contribution. We must get a massive improvement to our 7 year old CBA to bring us in line with the industry. If it falls anywhere short of industry leading, I would likely be having a serious discussion at the dinner table. In the end, nobody has a crystal ball and you won't know if you made the right choice here or elsewhere until the day you retire. Good luck...

schloppy1

The upgrade time to wide body at Delta is sub two years. Every month hundreds are hired above you. If you’re waiting for a new contract, that could be months or a year away. That’s a lot of lost seniority. The pro’s of this job with a little seniority are pretty good. I bounce around the planet with a schedule I like and take two entire months off each year. One con I’ll add is just how easily the company will walk over our contract. They threw the already terrible section 24 in the trash and the grievance was settled with just a small amount of cheddar thrown our way. If you’re hired in the next year, plan on many years of 757 reserve. If hiring picks up, plan on years of 757 reserve while new hires are brought in above you to the wide body you’ve been awarded. Things are slowing down here and FedEx is slapping us in the face. For the time being, the legacy’s are offering better pay and a hug on your first day. But don’t think for a second they won’t slap you with a furlough when times change. Choose wisely and good luck.

C17B74

Man, this is a tough thread with many friends at Purple and a few getting ready to retire who have had a great run with 35 yrs on site (or thereabouts) so they have been through the growing pains. Hopefully your freighter gets turned around for the good and soon. Remember when SWA was the place to be (it is still in the eye of the beholder, no argument), but there never has been a reigning top dawg for very long with the leap frog effect (priorities vary). May you get what you all want and be back on top. It’s all cyclic so I’m hopeful you will get there again. Keep up the good fight!