Questions for freight pilot

[Daydreamer]

Good morning, everyone:

It is my first time to post on cargo forum. I am thinking about to changing my career to cargo "freight dog." Currently, I am solwly working on my PPL. Also thinking about taking on loan then head to ATP for the rest of my rating. There are few questions I would like know.

1. What does cargo pilot's daily life looks like?
2. Where do you find small air freight company/job?
3. Does it really matter to employer that you fly for part 121 and Part 135? What are the difference?
4. If I don't want to go instructor route, where can I find really low time cargo job?
5. In comparsion of regional and cargo, which job would you take?why?


I appreciate your time to read this message. I hope the questions are cleared stated(since my first langauge is not English). Thanks


Daydreamer

 

[CrewDawg]

Well with the way the industry is right now you will probably have to do the instructor thing for a while. None really wants to instruct but it will be a good experience and you will learn alot. One good thing is if you do you training at AllAtp's is that you do pretty much all of your training in a multi-engine aircraft (which is what everyone wants to see along with Total Time). If you get your ratings at ATP try to become an instructor there, you will build multi-time like crazy. Also another important note, if you don’t already have it, get you degree, I would get it in something other than aviation. Hope that helps, good luck.

 

[cruxx@9]

CrewDawg said it well, work on your degree while getting your ratings. It can be in any field. Unfortunately it's going to be awhile before the low time positions become availible. I would not recommend becoming a professional pilot to anyone. Unless you feel that you have to fly like you have to breathe, pick another career kid. I'm not trying to be mean, just honest, it's going to be a long hard road ahead of you.

The thing about 121 over 135 is something you don't have to worry about for a long time yet. Again, not to be mean, just being honest, you've got to build a lot of time before you even consider a part 121 job...unless your desired route is through the commuters.

Once you get your time built up and you still want to live the glorious life of a freight dog (staying awake for days, sleeping in FBO chairs, smelling like funk, living on Gem dougnuts, nicotine and caffine and all the while flying airplanes that are older than you) then move to the Detroit area. There are many cargo companies looking for low time guys as first officers on turbo props and that sort of thing. Just frequent the offices with resumes. Many of the small cargo companies hire on the spot due to need. You might walk in one day and there are no jobs...a week later they need 4 pilots.

Good Luck in your quest, hopefully you will find a better job before you get here. If you really want to fly freight you will get some great flying skills...or you will die or get violated posibly loosing your licenses. But if you are able to get passed the first without hitting the other two, you will become a great pilot! Your skills will be tested constantly.

Keep 'em in the green

 

[Daydreamer]

Thanks

Good afternoon:

Thanks for you guys reply. Well, I do have my master degree already. That is one issue out of my way. I don't think it should not be a problem for me to be flight instructor since I was a high school teacher. The difference between pilot and school teacher is freight pilot get kill if they screw up and teacher get fired and their name all over TV. Anyway, thanks for all of your suggestions and advice.


Daydreamer

 

[uscpilot]

Flying freight is not as bad as cruxx made it sound. I have been doing it for 2 1/2 years. Im home every night, and off on holidays. Not every freight job is like that, but be selective and you can land one.
Also you can die or loose your liscence at any level of flying from PPL to Capt on a major. For that matter the same can be said of driving. Just use your head and dont take chances.
Crux is right about 135 and 121. Dont even think about them. Since you are just starting out you will find out what you need to know while you learn. To start with 135 wants 500hr total for VFR PIC (good luck these are few and far between), and 1200 total for 135 (this is what you will need to get into 135).
Good Luck,
usc