121 Or Cargo?

[inbound]

Im exploring my options. What are the pros and cons of cargo? Better then the Regionals? (it seems all they do is complane!) What about long term, any forward movement. Any help would be great!

 

[flytheblue]

>>Im exploring my options. What are the pros and cons of cargo?<<


The good part.....flying freight is a great way to get time and experience needed to go to the regionals....or corporate if that's what you want to do. I think you would be a better pilot for flying freight. You really learn how to count on yourself!
The bad part...well the schedule sucks, and you fly in everything, no cancelling flights except if the weather is really bad (ie- freezing rain). Maintenance can be iffy, depending on where you work.
All that being said, I'd still do it again!

 

[kevdog]

why not do 121 freight?

 

[CSY Mon]

121 Or Cargo?

Uh, so what is cargo?

135. 91, 141 or what...?

Hint..121 cargo...129 occasionaly

Freight is great..........Been going back and forth between pax and cargo for 25 years now...Like cargo better, ugly loadmaster or not..

What was the question again...121 0r cargo...?
Ask them UPS of Flying Tiger guys.

 

[trybysky]

pic

most freight jobs are PIC vs your entry 121 job. You could be SIC for quite a while. The company I'm with upgrades quickly into turbine...so not to steal the thread, but ... how does PIC BE-99 time compare to SIC RJ time?

 

[Secret Squirrel]

For what? To pick up chicks in a bar? They are two completely different lifestyles. Are you saying when you get enough experience to apply to a major? At my regional there are probably a thousand captains some with thousands of hours of PIC, crew, and 121 experience. How is small turboprop experience going to compare to that? Who knows. I know a lot of Ameriflight guys who flew Metro's and 1900's who were hired by Southwest but they were in the pool prior to 9/11. Maybe current amflight guys can say if they have heard of guys interviewing and getting hired recently.

I personally like the regional lifestyle better. It feels much more professional to me. I like the schedules, the varied destinations, travel benefits, and it only took one year to catch up to my second year turbine pay at ameriflight. I would be very comfortable staying at my company for 5-10 years while I wait for a better job. Ask a lot of the bottom feeder night freight guys if they would feel the same. I flew for ameriflight for two years. I would consider them probably the best, most stable entry level freight company. I will take the regional side any day.

 

[kevdog]

I flew skydivers and got some turbine time for a few years before getting into freight. I had the choice of going to a regional airline or cargo company. i went with cargo and can not complain. i have seen a lot of people i know go to regionals because they thought the night freight schedule was crap, only to see them back flying freight within 6 months. why? they all said the commuting/reserve schedule at the regionals was worse than the schedule flying freight...they could not stand having to jumpseat all the time every week versus a 2 week on/off schedule where the company buys you a commercial ticket out of and back to your home base. that on top of a 50% paycut made the choice easy for them. i am in my third year flying freight and my first year with a new company. i fly about 10 days a month am away from home about 5-7 days a month max. my first year pay as an FO is about the same as 5-7 year captain pay at most regionals. upgrade time for me will be a little quicker or the same as most of the RJ jobs out there.

i have also seen a bunch of regional guys come over to freight for the first time and most of them wonder why it took them so long to make the decision.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

I think we are talking apples and oranges. The original poster has 1000 hours and is looking for his first job. I would agree that Omni, Evergreen, Astar, UPS, Fedex, Polar, ETC is abetter choice than regionals for most people. I believe his experience level will lead him towards Flight express (210's) Ameriflight (PA32's or Cheiftains) or Airnet (piston twins). I am not trashing all freight.

 

[Sgt. Hartman]

At my regional there are probably a thousand captains some with thousands of hours of PIC, crew, and 121 experience. How is small turboprop experience going to compare to that?.

Just because regional pilots are flying nice shiny new jets with people in the back versus a clapped out 1900 or lear jet with boxes in the back doesn't make them any better of a pilot, nor more qualified for any position with a major.

 

[kevdog]

I think we are talking apples and oranges. The original poster has 1000 hours and is looking for his first job. I would agree that Omni, Evergreen, Astar, UPS, Fedex, Polar, ETC is abetter choice than regionals for most people. I believe his experience level will lead him towards Flight express (210's) Ameriflight (PA32's or Cheiftains) or Airnet (piston twins). I am not trashing all freight.

my bad.

 

[labbats]

Just because regional pilots are flying nice shiny new jets with people in the back versus a clapped out 1900 or lear jet with boxes in the back doesn't make them any better of a pilot, nor more qualified for any position with a major.

I agree 100%. But they do know the 121 rules and system.

 

[Sgt. Hartman]

I agree 100%. But they do know the 121 rules and system.

Anyone can find a copy of the FARs to read and learn part 121 and a week of IOE will teach someone the system.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

quote
"Just because regional pilots are flying nice shiny new jets with people in the back versus a clapped out 1900 or lear jet with boxes in the back doesn't make them any better of a pilot, nor more qualified for any position with a major." The SGT


If you look at my quote there was a question mark at the end. I don't know. It is my opinion and he asked for it. I have done both thus I have a valid opinion. Have you? Yes there are jobs where 121 experience is a requirement. Also aircraft weight limitations. I think it is irresponsible to tell someone they are competitive just because they have 1000 turbine PIC.

 

[jparks]

Remember it is still who you know. If you need turbine PIC time because you know someone somewhere, dont go be a FO for 5 years at a regional. Go to AMF and get some turbine time.

 

[Sgt. Hartman]

Remember it is still who you know. If you need turbine PIC time because you know someone somewhere, dont go be a FO for 5 years at a regional. Go to AMF and get some turbine time.

I completely agree. Anyone can get around any application requirement ie. 20,000lb weight limitation or 500 121 pic if you know someone in a high enough place.

 

[inbound]

MY time is 1100tt 150m A&P 23 years old. I just want out of instructing and into flying. For the people who were in my shoes a couple years back, what did you do and are you glad you went down that road........it seems like the only mins i meet are the 121 ops(and no more freelance maintenance for multie time!!!)

 

[CaravanMan]

I'd say keep instructing until you get 1,200TT, then look around to the 135 freight ops. Got my current 135 job right at 1200TT and am having a great time with it. Boxes don't complain!

 

[DirtyBeech]

go do freight, and then go do it some more. what are your priorities? do you want to wear nice uni's and strut around some terminal in dallas, memphis, houston, etc... with three bars on your shoulders for 2-5 years, or do you want a shot at turbine PIC in six months? don't worry about getting hired by the big boys. i can now name 5 guys who are flying brown 737's, or will start class shortly, from my base alone. two others are flying 72's. all they got to do was fly boxes in dirty 99's, metros, and brasilias and yet somehow they were competent enough to beat out 121 qualified guys for those slots. which of the two following options are more preferable to you?

1. sit right seat for 3-4 years and have a shot at the captain's chair.

2. fly freight for 3-4 years and have a shot at right seat on a boeing.

i know which i'd choose everytime.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Dirty Beech

How many of those guys who left were hired before 9/11 and in the pool? How many of them have gone through the hiring porcess since 9/11 and been hired? just wondering. It is a different world now

 

[ATRCAPT]

Here's the deal...

PIC turbine, and know someone. I know people who have made to the majors from 121 freight, 135 freight, regionals, corporate, etc. What do they all have in common? PIC turbine, and an inside buddy. Good luck.