A few questions on cargo for a newcommer

[pavelump]

Hi there, I'm thinking of getting into cargo after instructing for a while. I'd like to live in Chicago and I know that AirNet flys out of MDW and ORD, but does anybody know of any additional companies who have operations out of Chicago?

Also, is it worth looking in to getting a FE rating? It seems like there are still a lot of 727s out there, but will they be around long enough for it to be worthwhile?

Currently, I'm attending FlightSafety in Vero Beach and should be done with my CFI by the end of summer so I've got some time to think about it.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Buckeye]

I hate to burst your bubble, but getting into flying freight isn't a job, it is a lifestyle. All though sometimes temporary, other times long term. There is good money in boxes, if you fly for the right company. There are quite a few freight companies out there, but unless they are large you won't be able to commute. Times are tough, but if you know someone, that is a big plus and will help you to get a job. Remember "who you know gets you the interview, what you know gets you the job". Good luck

 

[Xfr8dog]

with 200 hours i'd say put off getting the FE unless you have a ton of money and time on your hands.... its not going to do you much practical good for quite a while. on the other hand, all knowledge is good knowledge. it definetly wont hurt.

Freights great but its not for everyone, like the poisonous nut in the last post said... its a lifestyle. some can hang, others cannot.

(S.B. , aka "Buckeye" you have too much time on your hands! go preflight some Falcons or something!)

 

[pavelump]

Sorry, I meant the FE written. And uh, what bubble? Is this a trick question?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[metrodriver]

Dave forget about getting a FE license.There are a lot of 727fe's out there. Before 9-11 there were about 1500 pilots out of a job, most of them from 727's, most with an fe. A lot of people that got furloughed from the majors were fe's. I have a couple of hundred hours of 727fe time and nobody that hires for that position looks at me since there are guys with 1000's of hours on the 727 out there. Now if you are lucky enough to be called for a 727 job just get the written done real quick. For other freight jobs you still need to meet 135 minimums, so you got a long road ahead

 

[Buckeye]

Xfr8dog,

T.F. as far as I know, you are still flying boxes like the rest of us. I am glad that you know what a Buckeye is. Have you been on the road much this month, flown much? Every time I show up at the "office" I see your truck in the lot. PM me, They have made a few changes.

 

[WrightAvia]

some guys find good freight jobs, stay.

With places like Airnet and the FedEx feeders, box flying can become a place to stay for a career. It's not the glamour job of flying at the majors and you may never make better than 100 grand a year or even close, but there are aspects of freight flying that attracts individuals and keeps them there.

For instance, we fly "scheduled" unscheduled freight. Out in the morning, to the same destinations. Back in the evening, to the hub. Five days a week. saturdays and sundays off. No holidays. We got one guy, he takes off at about 6:30 am after being loaded by the hub rampies. Puts...about 1.1 on the hobbs. Lands. Lets some rampies unload his plane while he gets wx and closes out his flight log. He then puts another 1.1 on the hobbs meter. Lands back at the hub on or about 11:00 am local time. Goes home. That's his job. Occasionally they have him do an extra turn or something, but usually he heads home before noon. That position...should you be lucky enough to get hired on, when it was vacant...would start out at 32,750 dollars a year sallary, max at 55,000. Plus benefits...Including a 401K that matches 30 cents on the dollar for every buck you put in, up to ten percent of your wages. That may not be what they get at the majors, but it sure beats the hell out of some of what I heard and saw at the commuters.

For some, time building in beech 99's and shorts skyvans at the "on demand" freight places or UPS contractors, will lead to better employment up the road...what that would be...you got me. Freight aint for everybody. It suits me right now and maybe for a long time. Plus it's stable. I just dropped 7,500 bucks into the gun collection this winter. It's going to take all summer to pay it off, but then unless we get nuked or I bend my wing against a hangar...I should be able to count on working till then.

Good luck there Pavelump, whatever you decide or however it works out for you. Who knows...maybe when the world returns back to normal(?), you'll be able to grant me a jumpseat someday. You'd recognize me pretty easily, I'll be the OLD freight dog, with the shined shoes and clean uniform on.

 

[SaifAir]

I wansn't long ago many of the 727 operators were hiring SO's on the panel. It looks like most of them are going to PFE's. That gives them more flexibility since the FE with an A&P can pencil whip any problems and conduct service checks if you get stuck somewhere in BFE. Our company uses only PFE's and there is really no chance of upgrade for an engineer here. I would do some careful research and see just how many of the companies that have three man cockpits use SO's. I am sure that you could get a good idea from this board .

 

[inline]

I wansn't long ago many of the 727 operators were hiring SO's on the panel. It looks like most of them are going to PFE's. That gives them more flexibility since the FE with an A&P can pencil whip any problems and conduct service checks if you get stuck somewhere in BFE. Our company uses only PFE's and there is really no chance of upgrade for an engineer here. I would do some careful research and see just how many of the companies that have three man cockpits use SO's. I am sure that you could get a good idea from this board .

Pencil Whip? I'd be carefull admitting that!

 

[SaifAir]

Pencil Whip? I'd be carefull admitting that!

I guess my wording was a little off. Let me rephrase, they can sign off the logbook.

 

[supsup]

just got hired

I just got hired into a freight position flying a caravan. It is only a six month job. My current employer is going to let me continue part time instructing while flying freight. I spent the last two weeks doing ground school and training and took my ride two days ago. I'll be flying mail across nebraska at night. I'm not sure what to expect but excited to be doing something other than instructing. If any of you can enlighten me on what the freight lifestyle is all about I sure would appreciate it.

For any of you who have flown the caravan and then moved on to other jobs, how have potential employers viewed your freight experience? (single engine turbine)

supsup

 

[NightFlyer]

Pavelump,
It never hurts to have extra qualifications such as an FE written, but you need to be realistic and determine whether you will be competitive for an FE job within two years after you take the test. If you don't mind retaking the test every couple of years then go for it. I ended up taking that test three time before I was hired into an FE position. Studying for the test, if you actually study as opposed to memorizing the answers, is a good review of systems and performance problems. If you're low time then I would save your money and wait until you get a little more competitve hours before taking the test. Good luck to ya.

NightFlyer

 

[WrightAvia]

supsup

congratulations on the caravan job.

Yea...you are still going to have to log some multi to get anywhere, but that 135 time is all real, documented, PIC hours. I think your next employer is going to look at your time spent flying freight in a turbine plane, as good. Obviously beech 99 time will go alot further than caravan time will, but your foot is in the door and you are getting paid to fly. You'll like the caravan.

Good luck and once again, congrats...