Staying Cargo whole career?

[fokkers&beer]

I've never flown a passenger in my life. I worked for a couple small 135 outfits, then went to a Fedex feeder where I got my 121 PIC, then flew DC-10's for Gemini. I've ended up at UPS. No regrets in my career path. It is kind of goofy though.

 

[152hvy]

I would love to stay cargo if I can, 6.5 hrs duty/day, 4 days/wk, 12hrs flying/wk. But I've always considered the possibility of ending up in the regional in a worsed case scenario....:crying:

 

[nitefr8dog]

OK, so if you get on w/ these smaller freight guys, how do you get your ratings for the bigger aircraft because it looks like noone is flying any jets? Also, what is a typical schedule for these guys and the sliding payscale (No pun intended)? Really appreciate all the info. because this is where I would like to end up vs regionals.

Thanks

AirlinePilotCentral.com lists pay and other info.

 

[BornAgainPagan]

That would be nice. Alot of us are stuck in Part 135 cargo where the work rules and general sketchy nature of the operations mean people are forced to go to the regionals to then make themselves competitive for a 121 cargo job. A regional is actually a step up from many smaller freight outfits.

Saying that, if you can crack 121 freight all the more power to you.

I worked for a couple of regionals and it was the opposite for me. It was definitely a step up to go from a Barbie Fun Jet regional to a $hitbag 135 freight outfit flying Falcon 20's and living on the pager.

 

[OzBushWhacker]

Tell me how you like that pager after a few years.

 

[BornAgainPagan]

Tell me how you like that pager after a few years.

10 years total of jobs on the pager was enough. However, if I had the opportunity to go back in time, I wouldn't change a thing. I'll take a pager over a crash pad any day.

 

[Whistlin' Dan]

Can a pilot stay in the cargo side of flying his/her whole career w/o going into the regionals or do most just crossover when their time is high enough?

That's a little like asking if a person can drive from New York to Los Angeles using only the right-hand lane. Yea, you probably could, but why limit yourself to that one option? I suspect that you're basing your career goals on the performance of air freight and package express companies over the last 5-10 years. But if you're just coming into this business, you have the next 30-40 years to consider. Since deregulation, the airline business has actually become quite dynamic, seeming to operate on about a 20-year cycle. Looking at FedEx and UPS today, it's hard to believe that there was a time when taking a job at any cargo airline was seen as a "fallback" position...simply a way to stay current until a Legacy carrier called. It's equally hard to imagine a time when a job at ValuJet, Spirit, or even Southwest was perceived likewise. Don't narrow your career focus too much...time changes everything!

Do the smaller freighters take low time pilots and where would a person find these outfits?

Some do, but most would like to see around 1,200 hours to start. At least, that's what they'd like to see, but nothing's written in stone, especially with the smaller operators. If you don't have the time yet, you might want to try getting on as a line boy or even a dispatcher...whatever it takes to get your foot in the door.

Good luck to you.

 

[ABUSED PILOT]

It's all a crap shoot. Don't worry, enjoy the ride. Get what ever job you can that builds time. I would say half the pilots I talk to ended up some place they never thought of, myself included. It's alot of work and luck. Don't let total time hold you back, introduce yourself to everyone.

 

[Getter]

I highly enjoyed my days at AirNet. I actually regretted leaving for a long time. It was much better pay, QOL and fun than I ever had at a regional.

 

[twgordy]

I graduated college in 1997. I was hired at FedEx in 2000. It's been a great 10 year ride.