Stay at Continental (United) or go for FedEx
01-17-2011, 12:59 PM
#31
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2009
Position: Bus FO for now..but #2 in the Turkmenistan Airlines hiring pool...#1 is a goat
Posts: 104
Tell you what. Get the job at FEDEX and if you don't want it...I'll take it. I can't believe this is really even a discussion. There is not 1 single FEDEX pilot that is not better off, career wise, then an equal year hire at UAL/CAL. Not even close. Even loosing the few years you will be WAAYYY ahead before long. If I had more then 10 years left in this career, which I don't, I would try to make the jump right now.
01-17-2011, 04:12 PM
#32
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,233
I thought about inserting this into the SWA or FedEx thread but it was up to 12 pages and almost burned out. Plus, a lot of the comments were "take the first job that is offered." In my case, I already have a job.
I was days from my second interview several years ago when FedEx stopped hiring. In the mean time, I've gotten on with Continental. Now that FedEx is about to open the doors again, I'm considering giving it a shot. I've kept my app up to date so I should be receiving one of those activation emails any day now.
Some things to consider:
FedEx
· superior work rules and pay at FedEx, a day’s pay for a day’s work
· more days off, better vacation, no PBS,
· stability and probably faster advancement
· getting in on the beginning of a hiring phase (things will probably remain stagnant at the new United for some time after the merger.
· no passengers, no gate agents, no TSA, no flight attendants.
CAL
· The stress of merging with UAL
· The constant up and down turmoil of the passenger carrying airlines.
· worries over seniority list integration
· one of the worst contracts in the industry
· I live in Houston and have a 20 minute drive to work (very nice)
· already have 4 years with company
· possibility of industry leading contract with UAL (but probably not likely since our union can't stop fighting themselves)
Travel benifits (Even though they're pretty usless)
Anyway, I plan taking the FEX written on the 23rd and updating my app on the 24th. I'll be doing a lot of thinking between now and then. I know a lot of you will say get the job then decide what to do. I've known my sponsor all my life and out of professional and personal courtesy to him and my other recommendations, I'd rather have the decision made before asking to use their names in an interview.
By the way, I'm 38 and have been at CAL for 4 years. I'm sitting about 430 numbers from the bottom at CAL.
I was days from my second interview several years ago when FedEx stopped hiring. In the mean time, I've gotten on with Continental. Now that FedEx is about to open the doors again, I'm considering giving it a shot. I've kept my app up to date so I should be receiving one of those activation emails any day now.
Some things to consider:
FedEx
· superior work rules and pay at FedEx, a day’s pay for a day’s work
· more days off, better vacation, no PBS,
· stability and probably faster advancement
· getting in on the beginning of a hiring phase (things will probably remain stagnant at the new United for some time after the merger.
· no passengers, no gate agents, no TSA, no flight attendants.
CAL
· The stress of merging with UAL
· The constant up and down turmoil of the passenger carrying airlines.
· worries over seniority list integration
· one of the worst contracts in the industry
· I live in Houston and have a 20 minute drive to work (very nice)
· already have 4 years with company
· possibility of industry leading contract with UAL (but probably not likely since our union can't stop fighting themselves)
Travel benifits (Even though they're pretty usless)
Anyway, I plan taking the FEX written on the 23rd and updating my app on the 24th. I'll be doing a lot of thinking between now and then. I know a lot of you will say get the job then decide what to do. I've known my sponsor all my life and out of professional and personal courtesy to him and my other recommendations, I'd rather have the decision made before asking to use their names in an interview.
By the way, I'm 38 and have been at CAL for 4 years. I'm sitting about 430 numbers from the bottom at CAL.
Go and don't look back!
01-17-2011, 05:36 PM
#34
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2005
Position: Leftof longitudinal
Posts: 1,899
RK772,
Left COEX with a CAL number based on a simple business reality. Who made sustained profits flying airplanes? Who owned the airplanes, etc. At the time I left, the bank of North Dakota owned more of CAL's airplanes than CAL corporation.
FedEx and UPS made big money year after year flying big iron. Pax and legacy carriers lost money most of the time, I wanted to fly said iron. Could stay and be a airborne greyhound driver or a airborne truck driver.
Nothing really glamorous anywhere anymore, so decided to go for the side of business that made the money flying the airplanes. Didn't make FedEx cause could never get in sync with a hiring cycle, but ended up at Brown. FedEx did the 4.A.2.b thing, but no furloughs, still made money, and they are hiring again.
Some risks, but the same ones would face at a new merged UAL/CAL anyway. The worst thing see for you is the commute, other than that, in a few years you will have made it back and be with a proven money maker.
The family issues are the most important discussions anyway regarding this decision. Good luck however you choose.
Left COEX with a CAL number based on a simple business reality. Who made sustained profits flying airplanes? Who owned the airplanes, etc. At the time I left, the bank of North Dakota owned more of CAL's airplanes than CAL corporation.
FedEx and UPS made big money year after year flying big iron. Pax and legacy carriers lost money most of the time, I wanted to fly said iron. Could stay and be a airborne greyhound driver or a airborne truck driver.
Nothing really glamorous anywhere anymore, so decided to go for the side of business that made the money flying the airplanes. Didn't make FedEx cause could never get in sync with a hiring cycle, but ended up at Brown. FedEx did the 4.A.2.b thing, but no furloughs, still made money, and they are hiring again.
Some risks, but the same ones would face at a new merged UAL/CAL anyway. The worst thing see for you is the commute, other than that, in a few years you will have made it back and be with a proven money maker.
The family issues are the most important discussions anyway regarding this decision. Good luck however you choose.
01-17-2011, 05:50 PM
#35
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: MSP7ERB
Posts: 1,886
As far as "get the job then decide", please read my initial post. My sponsor has been at FedEx ever since they were required to pay cash to fuel up the Falcons every night. I plan on being 100% on my decision before asking to put his name on my application again.
Everything else you said was good advise except that I'm not really asking someone to tell me what to do. I can make that decision "with the help of my better half." I'm just trying to make an informed decision by gathering the positives and negatives of each company. Like you said, I'm "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."
Emotions are high at Continental as anyone who was at the LEC 171 meeting last week can attest to. The last thing I want to do is make an emotional decision about my career or turn into one of those "the grass is always greener" guys.
Thanks to everyone for all the post so far.
Everything else you said was good advise except that I'm not really asking someone to tell me what to do. I can make that decision "with the help of my better half." I'm just trying to make an informed decision by gathering the positives and negatives of each company. Like you said, I'm "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."
Emotions are high at Continental as anyone who was at the LEC 171 meeting last week can attest to. The last thing I want to do is make an emotional decision about my career or turn into one of those "the grass is always greener" guys.
Thanks to everyone for all the post so far.
01-17-2011, 06:33 PM
#36
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2006
Posts: 319
The contracts you are looking at right now are simply a snapshot of a moment in time, they are in no way indicative of what they will look like in 15 years, i.e. things like no PBS at FDX, etc. If you really see yourself staying in IAH and don't want to move, it'd be an easy decision for me. Theres a lot more to life than money. FDX sounds like a great gig, but I personally would love to be a widebody FO with a 20 minute drive to work.
01-17-2011, 06:56 PM
#37
veut gagner à la loterie
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: Light Chop
Posts: 23,286
With this cargo bay comes stability and money...
... with a passenger cabin comes flight attendants from the 1960s...
And I do mean from the 1960s.
They're still there.
And they'll let you know they're still here.
The boxes won't.
... with a passenger cabin comes flight attendants from the 1960s...
And I do mean from the 1960s.
They're still there.
And they'll let you know they're still here.
The boxes won't.
01-17-2011, 07:01 PM
#38
veut gagner à la loterie
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: Light Chop
Posts: 23,286
Seriously though, one way to look at it is FedEx makes a fortune flying used airplanes a few hours a night.
Legacy carriers pay for leased airplanes on maxed out credit cards around the clock to at best lose a fortune.
Not to mention FedEx pilots seems to love their jobs and care about their coworkers and it seems as if FedEx cares as well... do you feel loved living in the Blocked Inn in EWR?
Legacy carriers pay for leased airplanes on maxed out credit cards around the clock to at best lose a fortune.
Not to mention FedEx pilots seems to love their jobs and care about their coworkers and it seems as if FedEx cares as well... do you feel loved living in the Blocked Inn in EWR?
01-17-2011, 07:21 PM
#39
7.27%
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: Boeing
Posts: 543
And if you want BOTH of the above, you can come to work for us here at World. On the 11 we get the pleasure of both!!
PtP
P.S. I nominate "forgot to bid's" reality comparison post for "post of the year!"
01-17-2011, 08:40 PM
#40
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Joined APC: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,947
rk772, I'm an outsider looking in as far as these companies go. But a few things come to mind.
Not to knock CAL/UAL, I think they have a bright future ahead of them but does an airline that calls crew rest quarters a row of three coach seats truly put safety ahead of money?
Glenn Tilton...was he running an airline or an investment portfolio for the past decade? Think whoever takes over FDX after Fred Smith years from now is going to get away with running it like Tilton ran United? Absolutely not. And I doubt FedEx is looking to outsource as much flying as they possibly can, despite it being close to the same cost but with worse results.
Not to knock CAL/UAL, I think they have a bright future ahead of them but does an airline that calls crew rest quarters a row of three coach seats truly put safety ahead of money?
Glenn Tilton...was he running an airline or an investment portfolio for the past decade? Think whoever takes over FDX after Fred Smith years from now is going to get away with running it like Tilton ran United? Absolutely not. And I doubt FedEx is looking to outsource as much flying as they possibly can, despite it being close to the same cost but with worse results.
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