Airhoss

I'd just like to add that if we were all as awesome as the Delta guys. This would be an Awesome world indeed.

rk772

It would seem that as my original post is pretty negative on CAL. However, I've been at the bottom of the CAL list for 4 years so I have a good idea of what most of the negatives are. The only negatives I've heard about FedEx are all nighters and the hub turns for the junior pilot. One other negative for me would be being on reserve as a commuter. I understand there is a 24 hour callout but I would imagine that would go pretty senior and I'd probably be stuck on the short call for some time.
What is the min day off guarantee per month for reserve pilots? At CAL, it's 12 but that can be reduced in a training or vacation month.

I would probably jump to a wide body the 1st chance I got. Not for the pay but simply because that's the type of flying that interest me. I think I've seen most of the US and 4-5 leg days tend to wear me out faster than doing one 8-10 hour leg.

Falconjet

FDX reserve is 15 days on for 28 day bid month, so 13 days off. 19 days on for 35 day bid month, so 16 days off. Normally 8 28 day bid months and 4 35 day bid months a year.

ptarmigan

Works out to an average of 14 days off/month. Training is not scheduled on days off unless you request it if it will cut into min days off.

The Dominican

When you actually have a job offer from FDX then you will have a decision to make, at that time the decision will be made between you and your better half taking into consideration how the life style, company culture, income potential and career advancement between your two options will influence the rest of your life and not by what you read on a pilot's web board because this thread can be 3 pages or 30 pages and the result will be the same, half will say go to FDX and half will say stay at Calited.

Don't ask pilots what their opinion is about a particular job, if we knew the answer to that then nobody would ever be furloughed.

kc135driver

rk-

I'm a double UAL furloughee (hired 99) about the same age as you and I would absolutely go to Fedex. Obviously, you have a job and I don't, but other than that, after 11+ years of this roller coaster I'd gladly give it all up to try cargo. (And no I'm not saying this because you might be senior to me at CAL/UAL one day

Good luck-

Kc

Elvis90

What are the mandatory retirement numbers for FedEx vice United-Continental for the next 10 years? I don't think that's been discussed yet, but would be a factor in my decision making. I have a friend who has worked at FedEx since 2006, but he's still sitting sideways in a 727, and misses being at the controls (although the pay is great). Anybody have the numbers?

tank6102

personally I would stay where your at. commuting sucks...you'll lose at least 2-3 days off a month doing that. and on top of that, if and when retirements start you should be sitting pretty good where your at. that is, as long as the union is able to keep and even tighten up scope.
these are just my opinions. good luck with whatever you decide

Sliceback

Look at the retirement numbers. Figure out what you're final number(s) would be at FedEx and UA/CO. Work backwards. Figure out what you'd actually be doing, and for how long.

Don't underestimate a 20 minute drive to work.

Elvis90

From a July 2010 post:

There are 7705 pilots on the July 2010 list
******

2012 - 12
2013 - 216
2014 - 221
2015 - 196............645 (2010-2015)
2016 - 166
2017 - 221
2018 - 233
2019 - 230
2020 - 258............1753 (2010-2020)
2021 - 321
2022 - 290
2023 - 365
2024 - 337
2025 - 443............3509 (2010-2025)
2026 - 485
2027 - 465
2028 - 528
2029 - 521
2030 - 482............5990 (2010-2030)
2031 - 499
2032 - 333
2033 - 239
2034 - 170
2035 - 142.............7373 (2010-2035)