121 Or Cargo?

[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.

 

[trybysky]

Amf

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!!!)

Maybe not a couple years back, but a few weeks back I went the freight route with 1200tt and 50me and so far have no complaints. I have a great run flying a pa-31-350 and it's possible to be upgraded to the be99 in 6 to 8 months. I don't know a thing about the 121 experience but I'm having a blast doing this.

 

[DirtyBeech]

secret squirrel,

all of those hires have been in the last 17 months. none of them were " in the pool" pre 9/11. get that PIC turbine time, and get it now.

 

[PCL_128]

Kevdog, who are you working for? Arrow?

 

[kevdog]

Kevdog, who are you working for? Arrow?

PCL,
Nope, Centurion.

 

[kingaira90]

Freight is great!!

Flying freight is great, plenty of ups and downs in my still short flying career but I wouldn't trade flying boxes for any regional job. Get any job you can, then get a job where you can get turbine pic if the first one won't do that.



I just did a search on google for centurion and only came up with www.centurioncargo.com which went nowhere. Is there another website for the company or is the site just down? Thanks-kingaira90

 

[kevdog]

Flying freight is great, plenty of ups and downs in my still short flying career but I wouldn't trade flying boxes for any regional job. Get any job you can, then get a job where you can get turbine pic if the first one won't do that.



I just did a search on google for centurion and only came up with www.centurioncargo.com which went nowhere. Is there another website for the company or is the site just down? Thanks-kingaira90

Kingair, there is no official centurion website. Sorry.

 

[$$$4nothin]

Qol

Its all about what you want and your quality of life. 18 months ago I started at airnet and I flew freight for a year. I was based were i wanted to be and was makeing 32,000 flying a baron around. I could have moved and fly the lear after about 9 months. I could have flown in the right seat for a year to a year and a half, and would have had to move again. Instead I decided to jump to the regional and stay based were I'm from. Yes I took an initial $10,000 pay cut 1st year, but that will change with time and I am very happy. So do what gives you your best quality of life and makes you happy. What good is all your money if you are never home to spend it and enjoy life.

 

[fokkers&beer]

Its what makes you happy. I am a 7 year veteran of the frieght route, just a small 45,000lb t-prop, but it has been fun. I had dinner last night with someone who worked for us and got hired on by a major a couple of years ago, she wishes sometimes she was still in cargo, has been toying whith getting back into it.

 

[inbound]

This has been the first board that i have actually recived some great reply's. I thank everyone for your professional advise. This board has been a great help. Thankyou again and good luck