tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428940081342074403.comments2012-09-18T14:04:17.216-07:00And another thing...Jack Bogdanskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00201260397351483890noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428940081342074403.post-75110658471962508882012-09-18T14:04:17.216-07:002012-09-18T14:04:17.216-07:00Just a few additional comments regarding free flig...Just a few additional comments regarding free flights as it relates only to FedEx...in order to utilize the 'benefit' of flying to exotic locations via Memphis (I was thinking Bora Bora, not Seattle) on the jumpseat, an employee must pass a written safety examination which focuses on what to do in the event of an emergency (Tom Hanks must have passed in 'The Castaway' because he and Wilson survived) and how to behave in the presence of such an esteemed flight crew (FedEx only hires Captains and requires 20 years of flying experience at a minimum). Once an employee demonstrates sufficient knowledge (these exams are not at the same level of complexity as a law school exam!), said employee enjoys a lengthy flight on a very uncomfortable seat--think stadium bleachers. And, unless the employee lucks into the jumpseat behind the pilots and is instead relegated to the cargo area, the flight is noisy and cold. Then, depending upon the final destination, the employee will have up to a four-hour layover in Memphis. The employee has to sit in a lounge equipped with more comfortable seating, but vending machines full of spendy treats. The employees (unless pilots) will never be allowed in the Pilot's Lounge. Here, the pilots are treated to gourmet catered food including chocolate covered strawberries in and out of season, lobster, cool cheeses, etc. Because the pilots have to turn around and fly right back to the city from whence they just departed, they, too, will have the layover, just in a cushy lounge with comfy sleeping cots. Once the plane has been reloaded for its final destination, the employee, by now running on little or no sleep, boards the plane to embark on a vacation. And yes, while the flight comes at the unbelievably low price of 'on the house,'some things are worth paying for.<br /><br />The other alternative flight benefit extended to FedEx employees is the 'stand-by' option mentioned in class yesterday. By no means is this a free flight, rather it is a flight at a significantly reduced cost but with many strings attached. The flight must be prearranged through FedEx with 'partner' airlines. Standby literally means you hang out in the terminal until there is no one left to board and there is one empty seat. I was always lucky and got on my desired flight but flights are fuller today than they were several years ago [and, I might add that when I utilized the standby flight benefit, two adults and one child could fly from LAX to Seattle on a nice carrier like Alaska Airlines for $30 roundtrip]. Now, an employee might have to wait a day to fly standby. Time being money, many employees ditch this option as well, especially when travelling with children (oh, the standby benefit is extended to immediate family members, but only employees can jumpseat) because who wants to hang around an airport with screaming toddlers? Annoying! Most FedEx employees utilize the flight benefits to visit family on the spur of the moment when they have a long weekend. Some do take full advantage by jumpseating for international travel. It is an excellent perk. But, one more caveat...FedEx has several divisions such as FedEx (air), FedEx Ground (cheapy UPS-like package handling) and FedEx Kinkos. The flight benefits are only offered to those employees working under the air transportation umbrella.Daniellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07889391407296948145noreply@blogger.com