Goals: UPS or FedEx......

[MarineGrunt]

I am in the process of planning my career path(s), but I know someday I want to end up at UPS or FedEx. My question is, if I fly freight, say for example in Be99's or the like, will I eventually be competative after a few thousand hours or do they look for airline experience? Keeping in mind that I will be getting some good turbine time with the Guard.

Sorry if this is a stupid question.

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

Dude who knows, I have flown for a freight company, a regional, a major , and Corporate, and I still haven't been able to score an interview with either one of them!

Scored a LOR for UPS though......if they ever hire again, so we'll see. I could get used to brown

 

[NightFlyer]

Well, I can't speak for UPS but at FedEx you're going to need at least 1000 hours pic turbine. Once you meet the mins then a letter of recomendation from a line pilot is pretty much a must and then it's just a waiting game. It's extremly competitive right now but it looks like we'll be hiring soon. Good luck to you.

NightFlyer

 

[de727ups]

UPS

Back when we hired, UPS seemed to like to hire from a wide range of backgrounds. I've met guys that had 135 freight backgrounds that had the turbine time. The F/E on my last SVT was an ex-Amflight metro check airman. Never turn down the chance to buy a UPS pilot a beer.....hehe.....

 

[767-300ER]

There's a secret, folks, to helping your chances at UPS. Get two pilot recommendations. I received two, and got interviewed. While on probation I got two of my buddies hired (who also had 2).

Also, if you get a chance, head out to an Air Inc airline seminar where the majors show up. I know a guy with low time and NO college degree who got hired through that route.

I know a guy who was using UPS's 757 sims while employed at ATA, and showed his face at the HR dept. on day just to say "hi." 2 weeks later, an interview.

Do you see the common theme here? FACE TIME with either other UPS pilots who will put in a letter (now online) for you, or meet one of the HR people in person.

Also, new hires in training do well in getting their buddies hired. Here's how it works. Since HR is in the same bldg as new hire classes, during break head over the HR. Hand them your buddy's resume. Bingo. I know 5 guys that got hired this way. So even if you're not in the next new-hire classes, if you know a friend who is-- an incredibly valuable source when 20,000 resumes are sitting in their harddrives!

That, or lots of F-16/C-5 time!

 

[labbats]

Yeah, isn't it a long shot if you're not military? I've heard there was a bias.

 

[TonyC]

I am in the process of planning my career path(s), but I know someday I want to end up at UPS or FedEx. My question is, if I fly freight, say for example in Be99's or the like, will I eventually be competative after a few thousand hours or do they look for airline experience? Keeping in mind that I will be getting some good turbine time with the Guard.

Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Quick review of what FedEx looks for... among other things:

* Recency and type of experience is considered

* Bachelor's Degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university

* 1500 hours total fixed-wing time as pilot-in command (PIC) or first officer (SIC) including a minimum 1000 hours PIC in fixed-wing jet, fixed wing multi-engine turbo-prop, or multi-engine recip over 20,000 LBGW or combination thereof.
Note: PIC for this purpose is defined as Captain/Aircraft Commander of record, not simply the sole manipulator of the controls.

With that in mind, I'd say the best route is the one that builds those hours in the shortest amount of time. The only thing more valuable is the flying you might do with a FedEx pilot in the other seat - - i.e., Letters of Recommendation.

Your profile suggests you'll be flying KC's in the guard at some point in the future. If you have a reasonable chance of upgrading soon, I'd give strong consideration to choosing a job with the flexibility to allow you to accumulate tanker hours quickly, upgrade to A/C ASAP, and then accumulate another 1000 jet PIC. If the job on the side falls into one of the jet/turboprop/recip >20K categories, all the better. I don't think - - personal opinion here - - I don't think it matters whether there's freight, bodies, or JP-5 behind you as long as the engines are running.

 

[Purple Haze]

Yeah, isn't it a long shot if you're not military? I've heard there was a bias.

It is a long shot regardless of your background.

I am very aware of the perception of bias and I can't say - it appears that more prior military get hired, but every new hire class I recall seeing included pilots with zero military time.

Rather than focusing on a perceived bias, focus on making yourself such a strong candidate they can't say no - that's what the rest of us had to do (a little luck and a lot of prayer helps).

When you get the call for an interview, look professional, act like a professional - competent but not arrogant. The captains who interview you should want to fly with you.

As I see it - it is a level playing field. Tough competition these days.

 

[Clyde]

MarineGrunt,
I hope this helps. There was a guy in my newhire class here at Brown and the biggest thing he flown was a Beech 1900 full of freight. I wouldn't worry about it too much, especially if you have some good guard time as well.

 

[Clyde]

Yeah, isn't it a long shot if you're not military? I've heard there was a bias.

I was all civilian and had less than 1000 hours PIC turbine when I was hired.