What is FedEx Express ?

Congrats. Keep us updated. You have a good career ahead of you

 

Yeah bud! Should be starting this week.Had to wait for 2 weeks for criminal background check to come back. It takes forever here in NH but that's what the Operations manager said it would take. In the mean time I slammed on my tanker endorsement last week (only a written test currently, so I strongly encourage anyone who is interested to take it now). And did the last two Saturdays at the Community college to get the fifth wheel restriction off my license. I will test out with the State Troopers this coming Saturday. Things are really starting off well this year and I pray to Jesus it keeps rolling this way.Anyway, stay cool out there and I'll keep ya' posted.

 

I work for FedEx Express as a material handler. I want to become a driver. My ramp agent told me that they'll take me with just my CDL permit and train me. Anyone know if that's true?

 

Yeah that's true. In fact I think that's the only way they get their drivers is by training guys from the inside. They don't hire guys off the street to be drivers they only promote and train people that already work there. So you're in luck my friend

 

Now I just have to keep an eye on the job postings and go get my cdl permit!

 

It's easy to get just go in the dps office and they will give you the book and tell you what chapter you need to study for the test. Get it asap!

 

That is true...

I'm currently working as a Ramp Transport Driver (FedEx Express), and they have indeed lowered the requirements for bidding on a RTD position. The only thing one currently needs, is to have their Class A Learner's Permit 'in hand', before they go off to 'school'.(Express operated driver training school, which lasts 3 weeks at the present) In some instances, those who successfully bid on a position will actually get their Learner's Permit while they are completing the pre-school course work with their driver developer (at their 'home' location).

As far as Ramp Agents - all they know about trucks is that they have to get cans into the trailers and cans out of the trailers - everything else they are clueless about (regarding trucks).

Express does use a 'supplemental application' process for those who are currently in Express and bidding on a RTD position, so your CEV points (seniority), means pretty much squat.

The supplemental is scored on how much training and experience you have in operating Class A vehicles at the time you submit the supplemental after placing a bid in JCATS.

If you have experience as a Courier, that will help, but not nearly as much as having a Class A license in hand with some actual operating experience behind it. But I know first hand of a Material handler that was taken in as a RTD that had absolutely NO driving experience whatsoever.

The one thing that will take you out of contention is if you have an accident (anything on your MVR), within the past 18 months I believe. I do know of individuals who where awarded a RTD position, only to have the offer letter revoked when Express found an accident on a MVR.

 

Hey James. What does the RTD pay?

 

All depends on location.

Express uses what it calls "market level" to adjust wage rates to attract/retain people based upon local conditions.

The base wage rate (entry level) for RTDs in what is called "Market Level A" (most of the country), is just over $17.00/hr right now. In certain areas which are 'economically depressed' (what is referred to as Market Level B), Express pays at a lower rate, which knocks off a few percentage points from the base rate.For current Express employees which are transferring into driving semis, there is a complex formula which they apply to determine the wage which they will offer someone becoming an RTD.

Now, depending on market level, that $17.00 can go up (Market Level E through M I think - they did away with C and D levels)- . The highest market levels are in the San Fran area, New York City, and I believe Anchorage AK. Those market levels provide about a 20-25% boost to the standard A level pay rate. There is no way for someone outside Express to find out what Market Level a particular area is in, unless they ask someone who is a current employee - even then, most of the newer employees don't even have a clue as to the existence of Market Levels.

If you are a current employee, you can look at a JCATS listing, find a position in city you are interested in (even your own), and the market level of that city will be listed as part of the listing.

If you (as a non-current Express employee), need a better idea of what they'd offer, I can check the Market Level for cities/areas - and give a better idea of what they'd offer as a starting (and more or less permanent) wage.

So a new hire operating out of Memphis TN (Market Level B - lowest), will get about $16.00/hr or so, and that same driver, if they were operating out of say San Fran or San Jose CA area, would get about $20.50 to $21.00/hr to start. Its is all part of the Express game of paying as little as possible to get people to do the work in each metro area.

Regardless of one's experience when starting as a new hire RTD, all start at base rate and for all intent and purposes, stay there for as long as they are with Express. See, Express ended all meaningful pay progression back in 2009 - essentially freezing compensation at whatever one was making in March 2009. They have given the lower seniority employees a 1 to 1.5% raise in a few of the years since 2009, but it hasn't even kept up with inflation, forget about actual pay progression. That is why ALL Express wage employees with less than about 12 years in (no where near what is called 'top out pay'), are looking to get out as quick as possible. The flow of new employees through the ranks of Couriers - and now RTDs as well, is becoming dizzying.

If you are accustomed to OTR driving, you'd be better advised to look at FedEx Freight if you are looking at a FedEx opco. They start off around $21/hr and do have some progression past that. You'd have to ask a current Freight driver about their actual pay progression (I'm not looking at going into FedEx Freight, I've had a belly full of FedEx). I do know that in most circumstances, you'd spend a few years doing long haul for Freight, then would be able to bid on a 'city route'. The advantage of Express, is all of their routes have the drivers going home at the end of each day. Some routes do have Express drivers working very long days, but they go home at the end of each day. The truck routes between hubs and ramps (freight that doesn't have to be flown to meet time commitment), are covered by contract carriers (non-FedEx employees).

The key reason for Freight paying more for starting employees (compared to Express) is simply due to the fact that there is a risk (to FedEx Corporation) of the drivers for Freight unionizing. Currently, the only unionized employees of FedEx are the Express pilots and FedEx intends to keep it that way come hell or high water. That threat (potential Express wage employee unionization) to FedEx was completely eliminated back in late 2010 when FedEx managed to secure its Railway Labor Act classification for FedEx Express (the Teamsters won't touch Express as long as it has RLA status). The Teamsters cut and run after that (there was a chance in 2009-10 of Express losing its RLA status), and FedEx has been comfortable in the knowledge that they don't have to worry about its wage employees unionizing anytime in the near future. Thus the completely stagnant wages, gutted pension plan and health insurance that gets worse each year.

 

It does depend on the service center. I've heard of centers starting at $20/hr and others up to $24/hr, and one dollar raise every anniversary for the first three years. Also, one more raise every end of every year due to cost of living, last time it was $.80. Now, it is actually backwards, linehaul operation has better pay (depending on the runs) and most centers will be really hard to get a good bid. It is easier to get a city route bid than a road run. Home every day, and weekends off are usually what it is offered.

I do not agree. FedEx Freight has really good competitive wages and benefits among other freight carriers. It has been like that for a long time, even before some service centers voted the union, I think it is four or five so far, not sure.

I would strongly recommend FedEx Freight as trucking career.