My Career Progression

[Kryder]

In another thread some people asked me about my career progression. In other words, how I went from student at ATP to F/O at UPS. I know that this may not interest everyone, but when I was a student I liked to hear success stories, so here it goes....

First of all, I am a career changer. I was in a family owned business right up until I went to ATP in the year 2000 at the age of 29. So, for you career changers, it can be done. I also took a HUGE hit in pay to do it, so again, for those that have that concern....someone else has done it. With that all said.....

1997: Got my private at the local airport, just for fun. I had told EVERYONE I was getting it, or else I would have quit...I hated it at first. Anyway, ended up getting over all my fears and anxieties and went on to enjoy it. Passed my private right at 40 hours. For the next couple of years my flying consisted of mostly touch and goes and the occasional pleasure flight after work in an airplane I had bought myself.

2000: Had opportunity to sell out of family business and took it. Decided to become a professional pilot. Enrolled at ATP Jax in April of 2000. Finished the program in almost exactly 90 days, had a great time, met some great people (many of whom are still friends today), and generally enjoyed the heck out of it. Was hired as an instructor and began anwering phones immediately. Did that for less than a month and began instructing in Jax. Worked my butt off instructing. I did mostly the ATP add-ons and such. Never did Career Pilots. I also was the instructor that flew with the instructors in the office to get them ready for their Jim rides (although, now I believe they are Rich rides).

By December I was interviewing at the regionals. I was hired by both Trans States and Continental Express. Total time was 500 or so hours, of which, over 400 was multi. Turned down interviews at PSA and American Eagle. Took the COEX job.

2001: Started COEX in Feb. Hired onto the ATR. When I was hired they told us that we would be Captains in 9 months....didnt happen. We all know what took place in Spetember of that year. I held onto my job until December. Was in the last group of pilots furloughed. I dont know if anyone remembers, but in 2001-2002, you couldn't get a job washing an airplane, much less flying one. Especially since I was furloughed with about 800 hours TT. It was rough. I called ATP and talked with Jim. They were in the process of opening up BWG location. Just so happened I lived an hour from there. They hired me back and let me instruct there!

2002: Instructed at ATP Bwg. Had a great time. The people there are awesome. Great DE. Waited on COEX to call me back. That dragged on. Finally, Jim called me and said "fax me your resume", so I did (you ALWAYS do what Jim tell you to do..lol). 2 days later I had an interview with Chautauqua and an interview packet for ASA (at the time 2 of the only 3 airlines that were hiring...the other was Comair, but I didn't have the required number of moon landings they were looking for). ATP offered to fly me in their King Air (pre Citation days) to my interview, but I drove. Got hired at Chautauqua (didn't go to ASA interview) and started as an EMB-145 f/o their in November.

2003-2006: Flew at CHQ. Upgraded to Capt. in about 18 months. Was based in STL for most of my f/o time and went to the SDF base when they opened it. Upgraded in SDF. Had a GREAT time. That is an awesome place to work. Many of my best friends came from there.

2006: Went to a career fair in DFW, met and spoke with many UPS people. I had always wanted to work there. Got an interview a few days later. Was successful at that and started in October.

Well that is pretty much it. If you have any questions, please ask them here.

Good luck! For those of you that decided on ATP...you made the right decision.

Kryder
UPS F/O

[matt152]

Great inspirational story. Thanks for sharing.

[DE727UPS]

"For those of you that decided on ATP...you made the right decision."

I'm not sure I can hear that and not comment....

There are many means to an end. Going from PPL to CFI in 90 days might not really be the right decision. Doing an RJ course as a substitute for building real life experience might not be the right decision. Going 60K into debt might not be the right decision.

I've met very few ATP folks at UPS. I've met a lot who came up through smaller flight schools and FBO's. To each his own.

DE
UPS Capt

[checksix]

DE727-

If you really believed "there are many means to an end" you wouldn't always put down this one. If anyone has any success with their ATP experience you are the first to remind us all of how we shouldn't go that route. Your response wasn't to the applicable thread (Kryder never mentioned the CRJ course)- it was just the typical anti- ATP success. Get over it.


Congrats Kryder. Sounds like a long road. Glad you made it.

[777forever]

Whether or not one flight school has many graduates at one airline is not indicative of the school's success and whether someone has made the right decision. Apparently it has worked for the OP and worked for many others, including me, though I only did the multi-addon and CFI program with them. Without ATP I would not be where I am today. Period. I've also met very few people at ASA from ATP. Its called Airline Transport Professionals, not UPS Transport Professionals or ASA Transport Professionals.

[Godzgreatgift]

Thanks for that story Kryder. Indeed, very inspirational. I'm glad everything worked out for you even after being furloughed. If you don't mind me asking, what were your hours when you were up for that UPS interview? I'm assuming you fly their A300's right now?

[DE727UPS]

"For those of you that decided on ATP...you made the right decision."

My point is that it's narrowminded to say "you made the right decision" if you went to ATP, as a blanket statement. I don't think that is really the case unless one is willing to admit that are many other "right decisions". Which there are. Which I'm happy to point out to the ATP forum brethren.

I pointed out that I've never met an ATP grad sitting next to me as a UPS Capt. I've had many F/O's who came up from small flight schools or small FBO's, however, which would suggest that "going to ATP isn't the only right decision".

Just trying to keep it real for those who don't venture much out of the ATP fourms at JC....

I'm not dissing someone who had success at ATP. I'm sure said success could have been had many other ways for those with the motivation to get it done.

I'm simply pointing out that ATP is quite expensive, that that ATP RJ course shouldn't be considered a substitute for real life experience, and that it's far less than ideal to go from PPL to professional CFI in 90 days.

[777forever]

He never said ATP was the only right decision. If someone had gone to Skymates I would say they made the right decision. If they went to Gulfstream I would say they made the wrong decision.

[DE727UPS]

"He never said ATP was the only right decision."

Hence my appearance, once again, at the JC ATP forums....

"If they went to Gulfstream I would say they made the wrong decision."

I'd second that.

[crashmbern]

Did you know anyone at UPS????

[DE727UPS]

Nope.

[Clocks]

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

I pointed out that I've never met an ATP grad sitting next to me as a UPS Capt.

Is it really likely, considering the time line, for all that many people to have gone through ATPs 90 day program, been a CFI, gotten hired at a regional, upgraded, then hired at UPS, and upgraded, in the time since the 90 day program has existed? Honestly I have no idea how long its been around, but if I had to guess I would guess the late 90's.

[determined2fly]

Wow...im sure things do not go as smoothly for people who want to get into this career. When you really think about it, you lucked out. Encourging, but not possible for the rest of us. Good luck!

[Crockrocket94]

Thats pretty cool!

Glad you got an excellent job!

Keep us updated on life and UPS flying!