Lower pay for Cargo Pilots?

[abxaviator]

The cargo side can definitely generate a higher level of revenue for a given flight. Say you have 200 pax on a 767-200 paying a median fare of $500 ($1000 round-trip), that's $100,000 revenue for that flight. Now take the same airframe as a freighter with 90,000 lbs. of revenue freight at $5/lbs, that's $450,000!

Of course, as in all areas of flying, the flight crews will likely only earn industry standard or better wages/work rules if they are organized.

 

[BoilerBacker]

Personallyl, I believe it all boils down to supply and demand and the fact that freight rarely bitches (I would say never but every time I use the word "never" it somehow comes back to bite me in the ass) In other words, 1) freight doesn't get uncomfortable and complain or get off if the pilot who boards the aircraft looks like a 14 year old ie - lowtimer, 2) the only way for a business to turn a profit is to keep costs as low as possible. With an abundance of pilots out there looking to build hours, it only makes sense to pay only as much as it takes to keep a competant pilot in the seat and relatively happy.

As a pilot, I too feel that this sucks but it is the way it is. I believe that most cargo companies (I am NOT talking about FedEx, UPS, etc here) do NOT want their pilots to retire from them. They are there as a time builder for pilots aspiring to bigger/better things. The first they you must accept is that aviation is the ultimate "pay your dues" industry and the "dues" are genereally VERY high.

Good luck in your pursuits. As a final thought, the pay may suck but flying freight is a real blast.

Boilerbacker

 

[100-1/2]

Cargo generating revenue

Revenue generated from cargo is measured in cents per pound and Not dollars. Check haulers average 20-50 cents per pound while express box haulers (FDX, UPS, ABX and PAC) use a linear dimension pro rata somewhere in the same neighborhood well under a dollar per unit. Cargo requires more volume to equal the revenue potential of a bag of bones that will sue if they are killed. Checks are insured by the FDIC and boxes are hauled at shippers' own risk with optional insurance available. Insurance is pure profit for and paid to the air carrier. This kind of info is insightful and available from your accounting department or management. It will make you consider the consequences (costs) to late departures/arrivals and missorts that require 'special flights' or rerouting of shipments to make a destination and/or on time.

Yes, there is pride and nastalgia in Cargo. If only your neighbors knew how they got their paychecks and Christmas Gifts, ON TIME! Just think, you never have to hide from the Pax after a rough landing or slam-dunk approach.

 

[skytrucker]

The real reason....

Here's my insight to Masterplan's Question:

1) The pay scale as to do with supply and demand for PILOT'S, not what is being hauled. If there are lot's of hungry pilot's that want the same PIC turbine time, and no "industry standard" i.e pilot union, then you can get away with paying very little. Simple.

2) Although the pay does suck, it is better than what the regional's offer for the first few years. That's why it is hard to leave once you start. Who want's to take a $10,000 pay cut?

3) There are many times freight generates way more revenue than pax. That money goes to the owner's. because again; pilot's willingly work for almost nothing will get paid just that.

 

[Publishers]

Comparable

You just do not have a comparable situation here. Not many of these answers reflect knowledge of the air freight industry.


To say that someone is going to get the same for flying checks as people is just not reflecting the situation. By the way, if you are late with checks, the company gets no revenue at all, none!

Freight rates go all over the place. Much of the cost is in delivery to the door and not the main transportation. While supply and demand do impact pilot pay, the industry economics do more.

 

[B1900DFO]

Fedex and Ups guys make **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** good money and the companies are profitable, ie, no concessions necessary. I think it is more a function of the bargaining power of the pilot group than the type of flying that determines salary.

 

[rtwo]

less pay for cargo?

Specifically which cargo companies pay less than which non-cargo operators?

Atpcliff, who I believe works at USAjet, wrote that by next summer their first year Falcon FO pay will be 41k per year. I've heard the base pay now is around 33k and that senior Falcon captains there now make over 100k. Admittedly that is less than Delta main line pay and it is also less than FEdEx or UPS pay but compared to say Horizons 22k to start and 118k for 20year captains a USA jet pilot will make much more over the first five years and over a career. Upgrades are quicker too and they fly all over North America