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...