Career path to Cargo?

[mavman41]

Hey everyone, I'm new here..
I am 18 and currently working on my private, which should be done by May. I am just curious to know what everyone's career paths were to become a cargo pilot. I was looking at going straight into my instrument then multi, then commercial, and then apply for regionals to build hours. Do companies like FedEx, DHL, or UPS have specific schools for flight training, or internships. It has always been me dream to fly. Anything will help me out. Thank you.

 

[Chubaka]

Since you are 18, people will be careful with advising you. The most accurate advice you will get is by paying for an Air Inc subscription. It used to cost $150 for one year. They have books and telephone support. My advice is to get a 4 year degree so that you have something to fall back on. Just get a degree in something you are interested in. Engineering or computers or economics or whatever. Pilots I have flown with have a wide variety of degrees. A degree is not required but it does help. Some people change careers later in life. Any degree is ok with HR down the road when you get your airline interview. Don't restrict yourself to just cargo either. Go where the jobs are at the time.

 

[ABXbooger]

Go get a degree in something medical related. Nursing would be a good suggestion. You will always have work.

With that said, you can THEN decide to fly or not. I emphasize THEN.

 

[Captain Morgan]

What ABXBooger said. My wife is a nurse and she has no shortage of work. We moved to Buffalo a year ago and she interviewed at 5 different hospitals. All of them wanted to hire her and full time pay is about 50k-60k to start. She is part time and works 2 12 hour shifts a week and pulls in about 32k-35k. Much better than my meager 1st year regional salary. In addition, I flew for XJT for a little bit and there was a Captain I had flown with that was a nurse as well. On his off time he would be a contract nurse to different hospitals and establishments. He made probably 150k alone and I think he was a 5 year Captain. In any case, I would've done it except I can't stand the sight of blood and wiping other peoples' a$$es. The other poster is right as well, you don't want to limit yourself to UPS, Fedex, and DHL only. It's a great goal to have but there are so many other candidates out there and on the flip side so many other good cargo jobs as well. My first flight instructor wishes that he could make the money that he makes at Fedex at his former Captain job on the Beech 1900D because he's on the 727 and I get the feeling he would rather be flying something smaller and more fun if the money was good enough. Good luck to you.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Hey everyone, I'm new here..
I am 18 and currently working on my private, which should be done by May. I am just curious to know what everyone's career paths were to become a cargo pilot. I was looking at going straight into my instrument then multi, then commercial, and then apply for regionals to build hours. Do companies like FedEx, DHL, or UPS have specific schools for flight training, or internships. It has always been me dream to fly. Anything will help me out. Thank you.

Really the only way to do it is to go meet a lot of pilots who work at those places and make sure one (or 5) of them will walk you resume in when you have the experience and the company is hiring.

 

[Way2Broke]

One word can sum up a successful career in aviation.... NETWORK

 

[mavman41]

With that said, you can THEN decide to fly or not. I emphasize THEN.

So should I put my flight training on hold, or continue with it? I am still working on the basics(instrument, commercial, etc). With that said, I am also working on a college degree in business/econ. Nursing is not really my scene, I have been in hospitals way to oft as a kid. Did you all get your rating privately or did you go through an accelerated program like ATP? Thanks for the responses!

 

[DOVPILOT]

GO military if you can, easier way of life than trying to moving through the regional ranks. If not Mil., than ALLATPS is an excellent way to go, just my 2cents.

 

[inline]

Hey everyone, I'm new here..
I am 18 and currently working on my private, which should be done by May. I am just curious to know what everyone's career paths were to become a cargo pilot. I was looking at going straight into my instrument then multi, then commercial, and then apply for regionals to build hours. Do companies like FedEx, DHL, or UPS have specific schools for flight training, or internships. It has always been me dream to fly. Anything will help me out. Thank you.

FedEx has a flight school. It's called the Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. They only hire a few token civilians.

 

[Whistlin' Dan]

Don't lock yourself into cargo. Most guys flying it today didn't have "career paths" that ended at cargo, that's just where they happened to be when the music stopped. Be flexible. The best and worst companies to work for in this business flip-flop about every 10-15 years. The job you want today may not even be there by the time you're ready to apply for it.

The military is a great way to prepare for any airline job, but it'll take quite a bite out of your life (11 years) which will seem like forever if you're just not into the whole "military thing." In fact, it may not be necessary if your education is being funded through other sources (Mommy & Daddy). A 26-year-old RJ Captain with 4,000 hours and a degree is still pretty competitive within the industry, if not at FedEX or UPS.

Good luck to you...

 

[LARRY H. JUNIOR]

dan:
got that alarm yet?
and make sure its set for 0330AM!

 

[jmreii]

Don't lock yourself into cargo. Most guys flying it today didn't have "career paths" that ended at cargo, that's just where they happened to be when the music stopped. Be flexible. The best and worst companies to work for in this business flip-flop about every 10-15 years. The job you want today may not even be there by the time you're ready to apply for it.

The military is a great way to prepare for any airline job, but it'll take quite a bite out of your life (11 years) which will seem like forever if you're just not into the whole "military thing." In fact, it may not be necessary if your education is being funded through other sources (Mommy & Daddy). A 26-year-old RJ Captain with 4,000 hours and a degree is still pretty competitive within the industry, if not at FedEX or UPS.

Good luck to you...

for fredex you have to know people and have a sponsor who's willing to duke it out for you. no and's, if's, or butt's. I used what got me to the dance.

 

[Whistlin' Dan]

dan:
got that alarm yet?
and make sure its set for 0330AM!

Yes Larry, I have that alarm clock, and it's set for 1:57 P.M. Ignoramous Standard time.

Consider this your wake-up call.

 

[fokkers&beer]

Call me bitter if you want, I understand what secret squirrel, and way to broke are saying. Networking does help, but the bottom line is alot of us will (or have) to pay their dues to get their job.
You will meet people who were at the right place at the right time, and other people who hit the market at the entirely wrong time (I got my 1000 PIC Turbine just after 9/11). You will also meet those with money and a silver spoon who don't need to do anything and they get a kick butt job with 300 hours total time. When you are building time those people may seem enviable, but with the experience gained the job ladder does move a little easier. When you finally land that dream job, the IOE instructor will comment on how you handle the Jet, and the rest of the duties that go along with it.
I got my job the hard way, knowing no one and flying around Africa to built time. I had a ball and love the industry.
You just have to get the College and keep your nose to the grindstone, and don't lose faith.

 

[mavman41]

FedEx has a flight school. It's called the Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. They only hire a few token civilians.

I have looked into the Military, and there is some percentage that only 4% who join have a shot at being a pilot. It is a risk I am not sure if I want to take.

 

[tbmpilot]

dan:
got that alarm yet?
and make sure its set for 0330AM!

true words

 

[Airbum]

I have looked into the Military, and there is some percentage that only 4% who join have a shot at being a pilot. It is a risk I am not sure if I want to take.

Perhaps you have missinterpeted the info you where referencing. I signed up to join the USAF knowing I was going to pilot training, the risk was if I could complete the course not if I was going to get a shot at doing it.