FEDEX or Alaska?

[Boxboy]

Leave Alaska for FEDEX

I have been with Alaska for 5 years and possibly upgrading in 3+ years. I have a good schedule but the pay is not enough to get by on the west coast, thanks to Kasher. I don't mind moving or even commuting for FEDEX. I don't have a crystal ball, but I want better career stability and pay (I know... so does everyone else). Would you leave Alaska for FEDEX?

 

[USMCFDX]

IF you leave, you would not be the first from Alaska with more than 5 years under their belt to make the move to Purple.

Very tough choice to make.

 

[mindride]

Can you honestly tell yourself that Alaska will be around until you retire? Im not bashing Alaska, I think that it is a fine company, but consider the fact when the economy slows down or takes a hit people are less likely to fly, where as commerce always depends on cargo. To me its a no brainer...

 

[SIR MILO]

this is exactly why ALaska needs to stop hiring people with a 1000pic and a 4 year, they work there awhile and realize the writing on the bathroom wall is true..

 

[G100driver]

Several guys left Alaska after the crash to greener pastures only to walk into furlough. I think you would be as "safe" as you can get at FEDEX, however.

Good luck. I do not blame you, however.

 

[Otto]

Have you run the numbers?

Using the info off of www.airlinepilotcentral.com, I ran the numbers of what you could expect at the two companys over the next 5 years. Granted, certain assumptions had to be made but I thought this represents a career track you could expect. Here is what I came up with. The first column is Alaska and the second is Fedex:

Year
6 FO $88,000 1 727 SO $54,000
7 FO 89,000 2 727 SO 70,000
8 FO 91,000 3 727 FO 109,000
9 Capt 144,000 4 727 FO 111,000
10 Capt 148,000 5 Wide FO 133,000

5 year total: $560,000 $477,000

So there you have it. You could possibly make almost $90,000 more at Alaska over 5 years than at Fedex, not to mention that three of those years you would have a good schedule and you would not have to mess with training and starting over at the bottom of a list. If you're looking over the next half decade, you can't say you want to move for the money. As far as being around in 30 years, I think Alaska is more resilient than most LCCs. The may merge with someone but you would certainly have a job. Just my 2 cents. (If you decide to stay, I need a silver bullet )

 

[Ih8AFYesmen]

Using the info off of www.airlinepilotcentral.com, I ran the numbers of what you could expect at the two companys over the next 5 years. Granted, certain assumptions had to be made but I thought this represents a career track you could expect. Here is what I came up with. The first column is Alaska and the second is Fedex:

Year
6 FO $88,000 1 727 SO $54,000
7 FO 89,000 2 727 SO 70,000
8 FO 91,000 3 727 FO 109,000
9 Capt 144,000 4 727 FO 111,000
10 Capt 148,000 5 Wide FO 133,000

5 year total: $560,000 $477,000

So there you have it. You could possibly make almost $90,000 more at Alaska over 5 years than at Fedex, not to mention that three of those years you would have a good schedule and you would not have to mess with training and starting over at the bottom of a list. If you're looking over the next half decade, you can't say you want to move for the money. As far as being around in 30 years, I think Alaska is more resilient than most LCCs. The may merge with someone but you would certainly have a job. Just my 2 cents. (If you decide to stay, I need a silver bullet )

Pretty good table, however the guys/gals at FedEx right now are moving over to FO of a wide body in their second year, which is $128/hr plus international overide if based in ANC. The question is, what is a better deal-junior captain on reserve at AS (screw scheduler's beeeaaaahtch) with 11 days off or wide body FO with atleast 14 days off and QOL?

 

[DiamondZ]

6 FO $88,000 1 727 SO $54,000
7 FO 89,000 2 727 SO 70,000
8 FO 91,000 3 727 FO 109,000
9 Capt 144,000 4 727 FO 111,000
10 Capt 148,000 5 Wide FO 133,000

5 year total: $560,000 $477,000

Umm a little update. The rates are a little better than APC has with DOS + 1,2,3

NOV 07 (DOS +1) 72s $56
NOV 08 (DOS +2) 72s $74 72f $111
NOV 09 (DOS +3) 72f $119 WBfo $140

At the rate of hiring (projected 300 this year) and aircraft acquisition (757, 777) there will be significant movement. Right now, staying at SO for 2 yrs would be purely personal choice and the right seat second year is extremely reasonable maybe right seat WB by end of yr 2. FWIW.

Z

 

[Otto]

Umm a little update. The rates are a little better than APC has with DOS + 1,2,3

NOV 07 (DOS +1) 72s $56
NOV 08 (DOS +2) 72s $74 72f $111
NOV 09 (DOS +3) 72f $119 WBfo $140

At the rate of hiring (projected 300 this year) and aircraft acquisition (757, 777) there will be significant movement. Right now, staying at SO for 2 yrs would be purely personal choice and the right seat second year is extremely reasonable maybe right seat WB by end of yr 2. FWIW.

Z

Thanks for the update...I wasn't sure if the figures were the latest when I created the table. It may be overly conservative with the Fedex track but I think conservative is the way to go when trying to make this decision. Many a pilot has left company A to go to company B, expecting the past and current movement at company B to continue, only to find the well has dried up when they get there. Still, he would probably be fine at Fedex. I'm envious...I'd love to have that decision to make.

 

[DiamondZ]

I agree that conservative is the way to go but being ultra conservative may cause you to miss out. Although comparing apples and oranges, if FedEx growth/movement halts I would imagine Alaska would have been affected as well therefore limiting movement to the left seat. Good dilemma to be in though. Good Luck.