Staying Cargo whole career?

[wuberoo]

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

 

[BOYCAPTAIN]

i graduated college in 1991 and flew cargo in LR35s for 3 years and have been flying cargo for FEDEX for the last 15 years...if they are lucky!!!!!!!!

 

[B747FR8DAWG]

Cargo Is Great

Going on my 12th year at Atlas.........been a fun ride and not going anywhere!

 

[OzBushWhacker]

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.

 

[Fly Astar Jets]

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

Back in college, I spoke to a FDX station Mgr who was a pilot but lost his medical. He spat out a statistic that 1.3 professional pilots will experience a furlough in their career except for freight. So after college and 4 years at a regional I sent out the stuff to UPS, FDX and DHL. Got a postcard back from UPS. Never heard from FDX. But I got a call from Susan Runkle with DHL (one of the nicest people in aviation Mgt I've ever met). 14 years later I got furloughed. Now I'm with a great outfit with great people, but starting all over. Go figure.

I still believe that for the money and QOL, freight is the way to go. If you're willing to go that route and work with the feeder freight companies to start out, try Mountain Air cargo http://www.airt.net/mac.html or Ameriflight http://www.ameriflight.com/

 

[wuberoo]

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

 

[BushwickBill]

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

Yes I'm wondering about this as well. Specifically if having turboprop vs. turbojet PIC time is a big deal.

I would fall under the mostly turboprop PIC with about 300hrs of turbojet PIC

I know 1000hrs seemed to be a milestone. Who knows now.

 

[jmreii]

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

Where are you looking considering the US has part 135 charter operations all over the country that utilize all types of jets for cargo/passenger operations. If you are looking at amflight and some of the fedex feeders, you will not find jets in those operations, chances are the job you will find flying jets most people will never have heard of them unless they have a need to. Look at kalitta charters and operations like those. good luck! Don't forget, you need to network for everything, especially at fedex.

 

[okcplt]

Don't do it. You'll end up looking like this by the time you're 40:

OldFreightDog

 

[Fly Astar Jets]

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

It's been awhile since I've looked at FDX & UPS hiring mins, but the big items are "XXXX total time and XXXX turbine PIC time" Turboprop time can be lumped in with turbine time. Where it would get sticky is if a prospective employer would be asking for some turbojet time in particular. Please keep in mind these are minimum times they are quoting

Yes, you would be best served if you got on with an operator with turbojet A/C. AirNet in Columbus OH, www.airnet.com is one that comes to mind. But remember the times we live in. There are THOUSANDS of over qualified, by thousands of hours, pilots right now on the street. I'm not trying to discourage you but rather to try and be realistic. Actually you sound like you're just starting on getting those qualifying times which puts you in a pretty good position timing wise. In a few years things are going to loosen up and when they do, you will be sitting pretty in the job market. The two places I mentioned in the previous post are some places I thought you might try and could get lucky with.

Good luck,

FAJ

 

[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.

 

[SMcC]

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.

I agree... FUN
And less bull, more aviating.

 

[cfi on the fly]

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.

Havn't been in the cargo forums for a while, but I just gotta say something about comments like these just in case there are cargo guys looking into something else.

I know the general attitude amongst cargo guys towards the regionals, I too believed all this when I was flying cargo.

But my experience has been a total 180 from what I've seen posted here. I guess it depends on the regional you get hired on with,-avoid the mesas and colgans for sure. But I am with one of the better ones and have been for 4 years. Yep, Im still a FO, but so what? There is not much movement anywhere and Im enjoying 16-17 days off a month, commutable trips-no crash pads and havn't had one ever, and 40 to 50 grand a year. Yeah the pay isn't anything to excited about, but if beats what I was doin flying checks around all night long.

The regionals are cake compared to cargo, and I get a chuckle when I here guys at my work complain about their jobs. And contrary to popular belief, the barbie jets will kill you just as fast as anything out there. I find the flying to be just as challenging and rewarding, I just dont have to worry about the plane falling apart all the time now.

Only Cargo I would leave my current job for these days would be with Fedex or UPS

 

[27 driver]

Freight has its benefits, but research the effects of carcadiam rhythm disruptions. It is hell on your body and immune system. I did freight for 8 years and was always tired. Most freight moves at night. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Getter]

Havn't been in the cargo forums for a while, but I just gotta say something about comments like these just in case there are cargo guys looking into something else.

I know the general attitude amongst cargo guys towards the regionals, I too believed all this when I was flying cargo.

But my experience has been a total 180 from what I've seen posted here. I guess it depends on the regional you get hired on with,-avoid the mesas and colgans for sure. But I am with one of the better ones and have been for 4 years. Yep, Im still a FO, but so what? There is not much movement anywhere and Im enjoying 16-17 days off a month, commutable trips-no crash pads and havn't had one ever, and 40 to 50 grand a year. Yeah the pay isn't anything to excited about, but if beats what I was doin flying checks around all night long.

The regionals are cake compared to cargo, and I get a chuckle when I here guys at my work complain about their jobs. And contrary to popular belief, the barbie jets will kill you just as fast as anything out there. I find the flying to be just as challenging and rewarding, I just dont have to worry about the plane falling apart all the time now.

Only Cargo I would leave my current job for these days would be with Fedex or UPS

Well... I was specifically talking about AirNet. It was called U.S. Check when I was there. I flew Monday through Thursday with every bank holiday off with pay. That job was "cake" compared to the regional I went to work for (QX) so I could get on with my legacy carrier of choice and then get furloughed.

So right now... I have fond memories of AirNet.

 

[fokkers&beer]

My experience with Cargo is different than most people. I agree you have to be flexible with you're career goals.
As I said earlier I always expected to fly for a Passenger Hauler for my career, but always ended up getting a job moving boxes. My last experience with this was interviewing for an Alaska job and they kept questioning me on why I've always flown freight and not people. I kept trying to explain that the Cargo was never a goal and that I just bumbled my way through my career advancing when I was ready and it always seemed to lead me to a Cargo job.
They didn't buy it and I was called for an interview with Big Brown and it was a perfect match for me.
I remember talking to my Mentor in Aviation in the late 90's telling him I was thinking about Cargo for my career. He told me I was crazy that no one wants to stay in Cargo their career. He was a NW Captain. When I was hired here we had 4 NW guys in my class. Funny how the industry changes.

 

[Boris Badenov]

Another vote for "don't hem yourself in". I was freight to the bone but due to market conditions wound up in land of IcePapersCoffee...and it's not bad at all. In fact, the objective quality of life is better than any (small aircraft) freight job I ever had. Now, if Atlas or Polar calls in a year or two, I'll have to think pretty hard, but for the time being, I'm pretty happy being one of those nancy limo drivers...