Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career...

pavelump · February 15th, 2003, 14:51

I know that there are a few freight guys around on this board. What advice could you give someone such as myself (200 or so hours, working on commercial-multi) to get pointed in the right direction for UPS, FedEX, DHL, etc? I'm most likely going to be getting my Instructor certificates as well. Would a small cargo operation be considered a "stepping stone" or does it matter? And lastly, am I crazy to want to do cargo?

Thanks,
Dave

E_Dawg · February 15th, 2003, 15:34

ditto for me!

I_Money · February 15th, 2003, 15:37

I think a major is a major regardless of if they fly boxes, or the cargo which complains about everything. The most important thing is keeping focused, working hard, and trying to get a job where you can upgrade to command on a turbine quickly. Also trying to network in these companies will eb very important, maybe even try an intership, or another position to make friends, and get your name on file.

WillNotFly4Food · February 15th, 2003, 18:07

Damn you two! I was hoping I was the only one looking at cargo. Now I have two more people to compete against...

Figured I stay up till 3am every night anyway, may as well do something while I'm awake.

The traditional airlines have been hiring more civilian pilots than military but I heard FedEx, UPS like the military guys. Any truth?

vipermcg · February 15th, 2003, 18:10

There's some articles on here about "A Day in the life of a Major/regional pilot." However, theres really not too much about a typical schedule for a cargo pilot. I know we have a few UPS/FedEx guys on here. Do you think It would be possible to get any info on this?

flyitup · February 15th, 2003, 18:18

Now I may be completely in left field, but isn’t most cargo flying done at night? If that’s the case, I can see where flying freight would be quite demanding on ones body and sleep patterns.

I have also thought about the possibility of flying cargo as opposed to people, but in reality I just want to get paid a decent wage to fly. I, along with the others, would love to hear the “day in the life” from one of you cargo guys!

pavelump · February 15th, 2003, 18:32

[ QUOTE ]
I, along with the others, would love to hear the “day in the life” from one of you cargo guys!

[/ QUOTE ]

sleep. sleep. sleep.

We need a night in the life! Personally, I'm not much of a morning person so I wouldn't mind. But then again, I could live in Europe on my days off and then I'd be on the same schedule! Yeah, right.

Dave

Doug Taylor · February 15th, 2003, 18:54

Well if you guys can convince seagull, a300capt or de727ups to conjure up something, I'd be more than happy to oblige!

flyitup · February 15th, 2003, 19:29

[ QUOTE ]
Well if you guys can convince seagull, a300capt or de727ups to conjure up something, I'd be more than happy to oblige!

[/ QUOTE ]

Alright fellas', let's do a round of paper, rock, scissors to see who gets to write it!

In all seriousness, it would be really cool to hear from one of you if you can find the time!

MissedApproach · February 15th, 2003, 21:00

I have a good friend who's a 747 pilot for UPS out of Louisville. He knows about this site but I don't think he ever visits. I could ask him if he'd like to write something though.

DE727UPS · February 15th, 2003, 21:13

I almost don't feel qualified to talk about a typical freight pilots lifestyle because I have used my seniority to avoid the stereotype. But I'll give it my best shot...

First of all, UPS hires from all backgrounds. Anywhere from ex-military to other freight dawgs. Back when we were hiring, you needed at least a recommendation from a line pilot and 1000 PIC turbine. I had neither when I got hired in 1990, making me wonder if I'm qualified to work here after working here for 13 years...

A typical "night in the life" schedule would be going on duty at 9 pm, flying into a sort facility, and going off duty at 6am. We have sorts in Louisville, Philly, Dallas, Ontario, CA and a small one in Columbia, SC. You might fly from Seattle to Louisville, sit the sort for 4 hours, and fly to New Orleans. Or you might fly from Decatur, IL to Louisville, sit the sort for 6 hours, and fly back. Because of trip rigs, most schedules pay our minimum 75 hour a month guarantee no matter how many hours you fly. A few trips have block hours above 75 hours, so you get paid for actual flight time. We have a lot of six day on, eight day off trips, though a little bit of everything can be had. Sometimes I do a intra-Europe trip where I'm gone from home 10 days a month and off the rest. Being up all night is hard but I find it harder to readjust to being normal during my days off. All in all, I'm glad I fly freight because I get more time off, fly less, but still get paid about the same as a major pax airline 727 F/O. I never really thought about the job security issue but, as we can currently see, major freight is pretty secure, unless you are in the bottom 100 at UPS....and that's just a management tactic because we are in contract negotiations.

I never was shooting for a career at UPS....it just kinda worked out that way. I don't think it's wise to set your sights on a specific airline at the cost of ignoring others. Iain is right, any major airline job (in the past) would be considered a good job and you can't be too choosey. Let's all hope things someday get back to normal and we can all enjoy good careers.

albatross · February 16th, 2003, 02:39

The "day in the life" thing for freight pilots would be very welcome. In the meantime I would recommend reading A300's article in the perspectives section. Good stuff.

flyinyourShorts · February 16th, 2003, 03:06

Funny how over the years i'm finding other people that want a career flying freight! This is my fourth year of flying for a living, and the fourth that i've flown freight.

From the standpoint of flying for smaller freight carriers, you can expect quite a different expirence than your friends that go to commuters. You can plan on flying old and used airplanes in bad weather for not near top wages(oh yea, most of the airplanes you will be flying has NO autopilot). You can also expect alot of night flying, alot of time sitting around a hub in the middle of the night, and adjusting your life around your new nocturnal life.

On the good side of this is the expirence you build flying in the conditions you operate from day to day(or should I say night to night). There is great opprunities for lower time pilots to build turbine PIC time. And for us who just love them, the chance to fly older airplanes. My career has had me flying in some of the more cool, old, strange, and ugly airplanes you can imagine. For my age I have alot more time under my belt than all the guys I started out with, and 95% of it is PIC and half of my time is transport catagory PIC. I wouldn't have that much PIC if I had went with the commuters.

Also, depending on what kind of operation you work for, you could do all sorts of different kind of flying. If you get into an airline that flies scheduled runs plan on flying to a hub, sitting around for 3-6 hours, then flying home. If your airline does Ad-Hoc charter, you can plan on flying different places all the time hauling god knows what. I have hauled something as mundane as a radiator, to something as exotic as a male gorilla on his way to mate with a female! Also, if your doing ad-hoc, plan on living off a beeper, and not having a social life outside the crew house while your on call.

I fly freight because I like the lifestyle. I enjoy working with people, but I have never been turned on my hauling pax. Just somehting about getting out of a crew bus and walking up to an old airliner with a BIG hole cut in the side that excites me. Maybe it's also because freight airlines are the only place I can fly the airplanes I have always wanted to fly... Who knows why, but I definatly know flying freight is NOT for everybody.

Flying freight has taken me to most of the US, most ALL of the Caribbean islands, alot of Mexico, alot of Canada, and some of South America! Try going those places working for a commuter... The bad part is, I USUALLY didn't get to stay there long!

My hope is to fly for UPS one day, although I would not pass up an opprunity to go to FedEx, DHL, or Airborne. There is really good stability in freight, and there is really good pay. You just have to get over the part that the company you work for looks at you like it does its delivery drivers. Frankly, i can't wait to put that brown uniform on!

Anywho, if anybody is interested in a night in the life of a Caravan/Shorts/Convair freight pilot, just let me know....

A300Capt · February 16th, 2003, 10:01

My goal, since my "commuter airline" days was to fly for a freight company like UPS or FedEx. Job sercurity was most important to me and flying people had lost it's luster after enduring the airplane is "Too small" and I was "Too young" daily comments from the self loading freight. Most often heard comment over the years, "Hey, did you remember to wind up the rubber bands?"

As far as our work schedule goes, it really depends on if you commute to work or live in domicle. I live in Louisville and mostly fly "turn" lines. That means you're out and back the same day. Typically, turns lines consist of flying 3 weeks in a row (usually 4 days each week) and 1 week off.

You can fly a line consisting of morning turns or a line of evening turns. Morning trips report around 3:30am and leave around 4:30am. You'll fly outbound to a gateway somewhere, sit a couple hours and return back to Louisville arriving between 9-11:00am. Afternoon turns report around 4:00pm and depart around 5pm. You'll fly to a gateway, sit about 3-4 hours (go to dinner and/or watch TV) and return back to Louisville around midnight-2am.

I usually fly turn lines because a) I can; b) I like being home everyday; and c) No commercial deadheading! I mostly fly morning turns and occasionally fly afternoon turns when I can get them (they go very senior out of Louisville)! Currently, I'm flying afternoon DFW turns.

Commuters generally fly lines that are week on/week off and have commercial deadheads on both ends of the trips. This gives them more time at home. International crews may be gone 12-14 days and have the rest of the month off.

Sorry, this is the short version as I'm a little busy with the family this weekend.

Doug Taylor · February 16th, 2003, 10:08

I just remembered, freight guys don't have to worry about frequent fliers!

The guys that, when you're deadheading in uniform, seem to always start the dreaded "deadhead conversation":

Him: 'Hey, how long you been flying?'
Me: 'Oh professionally since 1993' [eyes closed, back to nap]
Him: [Nudges me] 'Wow, pretty easy job huh? Just push the go button! I hear the plane can almost taxi itself'
Me:

'Not really' [close eyes, back to nap]
Him: [Nudges me again] 'Hey, I'm a super duper mega platinum deluxe fruquent flyer, I probably fly more than you!'
Me: [nod]
Him: 'Seriously! I flew 80 segments on XYZ last year! Is this your line?'
Me: [fake snore]
Him: 'To think you guys get paid $300,000 per year! what a life! Are you married to a stewardess?'

and on and on and on...

I_Money · February 16th, 2003, 11:43

Oh Doug that was you??

pavelump · February 16th, 2003, 12:37

[ QUOTE ]
Him: 'To think you guys get paid $300,000 per year! what a life! Are you married to a stewardess?'

[/ QUOTE ]

Just tell him, "Yeah, Sergio up in first class is my life partner." That'll probably shut him up. Maybe.

Dave

pilot602 · February 17th, 2003, 13:25

[ QUOTE ]
Damn you two! I was hoping I was the only one looking at cargo. Now I have two more people to compete against...

[/ QUOTE ]

$20 bucks, a crowbar and some duct tape (and maybe even some plastic sheeting) and I can take care of that for 'ya!

Just kidding?

Doug Taylor · February 17th, 2003, 13:34

Ack! I didn't hear that!

But indeed, aviation is highly competitive... Do what you have to do!

pilot602 · February 17th, 2003, 13:53

Hear what?

It's just bidness, that's all ... nuthin personal guys!

E_Dawg · February 17th, 2003, 15:08

.... just hope you get to me first

WillNotFly4Food · February 17th, 2003, 23:49

$20 per person or for the both of them?

seagull · February 18th, 2003, 01:02

First off, with reference to civi/mil, FedEx does hire mostly military, but that is not actually due so much to a bias as to the recommendation program, where you pretty much have to know a FedEx pilot you've flown with to recommend you to the job, and since 90% of the pilots are military, guess who knows FedEx pilots?

I think that the day varies depending on what you want to do. At FedEx, approx 70% of our flying is widebody aircraft. We currently operate about 220 widebodies, as compared to say, UAL, who have less than 150 but also have over twice the number of pilots we do.

We have two types of domestic schedule, and the split is very close to 50/50, with a slight edge for night flying, but that is almost exclusively narrow body flying that makes the difference. In fact, I would wager that it is entirely the narrow bodies that are flying more at night. The schedule is similar AM or PM, leaving the outstation to arrive at the hub at between 10 or 12, then departing between 2 and 4 to get into the outstation by 5 or so for the layover. We also have out and backs, both AM and PM, in either case you leave the hub at 2-4 and arrive back by 11-1. PM ones are obviously easier on the body.

FedEx also has the most comprehensive international route schedule of any carrier on the planet. Most of my flying has been international. My last trip departed MEM at 3AM, went to Anchorage, arriving about 6AM, then departed the next morning at 10AM for Narita, we were there for about 24 hours, departing there at about 10AM local time to fly to Manila and then to Hong Kong, lay over for 24 hours, departing there about 9PM to fly to Subic Bay then hub turn to Narita, to arrive at 6AM, and 14 hours later depart for Anchorage, arrive there at noon, then leave the next afternoon to get back to Memphis by midnight or so.

Other trips just operate over to Paris for 24 hours and return, many go around the world, in either direction. We fly between Europe and Asia via direct flights between Paris and Subic Bay, flights from Frankfurt to Bangkok and another that operates both directions from Paris-Dubai-Mumbai-Bangkok-Subic. We also have direct flights from Osaka to Memphis and Oakland, San Fran to Narita and Memphis to Narita, plus direct flights to Europe from Memphis, Newark and Indy.

I'm not as familar with Latin America flying, but we do a lot of that as well.

One thing that always amazes me is going through Subic, which is clearly a third world country, and right in the middle of this tropical jungle is this hub with 7-8 MD-11s and several A-310s, every night of the week. Sort of surreal to me.

pilot602 · February 18th, 2003, 10:30

[ QUOTE ]
$20 per person or for the both of them?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well ... how bout I cut you a deal - $50 for the two of 'em!

(pilot math)

February 15th, 2003, 14:51	#1
pavelump Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 790	Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... I know that there are a few freight guys around on this board. What advice could you give someone such as myself (200 or so hours, working on commercial-multi) to get pointed in the right direction for UPS, FedEX, DHL, etc? I'm most likely going to be getting my Instructor certificates as well. Would a small cargo operation be considered a "stepping stone" or does it matter? And lastly, am I crazy to want to do cargo? Thanks, Dave

February 15th, 2003, 15:34	#2
E_Dawg Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 4,171	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... ditto for me!

February 15th, 2003, 15:37	#3
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,651	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... I think a major is a major regardless of if they fly boxes, or the cargo which complains about everything. The most important thing is keeping focused, working hard, and trying to get a job where you can upgrade to command on a turbine quickly. Also trying to network in these companies will eb very important, maybe even try an intership, or another position to make friends, and get your name on file.

February 15th, 2003, 18:07	#4
WillNotFly4Food Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: SGU via SLC Posts: 420	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... Damn you two! I was hoping I was the only one looking at cargo. Now I have two more people to compete against... Figured I stay up till 3am every night anyway, may as well do something while I'm awake. The traditional airlines have been hiring more civilian pilots than military but I heard FedEx, UPS like the military guys. Any truth?

February 15th, 2003, 18:10	#5
vipermcg Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New York/ West Lafayette, IN Posts: 393	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... There's some articles on here about "A Day in the life of a Major/regional pilot." However, theres really not too much about a typical schedule for a cargo pilot. I know we have a few UPS/FedEx guys on here. Do you think It would be possible to get any info on this?

February 15th, 2003, 18:18	#6
flyitup Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 620	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... Now I may be completely in left field, but isn’t most cargo flying done at night? If that’s the case, I can see where flying freight would be quite demanding on ones body and sleep patterns. I have also thought about the possibility of flying cargo as opposed to people, but in reality I just want to get paid a decent wage to fly. I, along with the others, would love to hear the “day in the life” from one of you cargo guys!

February 15th, 2003, 18:32	#7
pavelump Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 790	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... [ QUOTE ] I, along with the others, would love to hear the “day in the life” from one of you cargo guys! [/ QUOTE ] sleep. sleep. sleep. We need a night in the life! Personally, I'm not much of a morning person so I wouldn't mind. But then again, I could live in Europe on my days off and then I'd be on the same schedule! Yeah, right. Dave

February 15th, 2003, 18:54	#8
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 40,600 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... Well if you guys can convince seagull, a300capt or de727ups to conjure up something, I'd be more than happy to oblige!

February 15th, 2003, 19:29	#9
flyitup Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 620	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... [ QUOTE ] Well if you guys can convince seagull, a300capt or de727ups to conjure up something, I'd be more than happy to oblige! [/ QUOTE ] Alright fellas', let's do a round of paper, rock, scissors to see who gets to write it! In all seriousness, it would be really cool to hear from one of you if you can find the time!

February 15th, 2003, 21:00	#10
MissedApproach Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 538	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... I have a good friend who's a 747 pilot for UPS out of Louisville. He knows about this site but I don't think he ever visits. I could ask him if he'd like to write something though.

February 15th, 2003, 21:13	#11
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,521	Well....geee....I\'ve never felt so wanted..... I almost don't feel qualified to talk about a typical freight pilots lifestyle because I have used my seniority to avoid the stereotype. But I'll give it my best shot... First of all, UPS hires from all backgrounds. Anywhere from ex-military to other freight dawgs. Back when we were hiring, you needed at least a recommendation from a line pilot and 1000 PIC turbine. I had neither when I got hired in 1990, making me wonder if I'm qualified to work here after working here for 13 years... A typical "night in the life" schedule would be going on duty at 9 pm, flying into a sort facility, and going off duty at 6am. We have sorts in Louisville, Philly, Dallas, Ontario, CA and a small one in Columbia, SC. You might fly from Seattle to Louisville, sit the sort for 4 hours, and fly to New Orleans. Or you might fly from Decatur, IL to Louisville, sit the sort for 6 hours, and fly back. Because of trip rigs, most schedules pay our minimum 75 hour a month guarantee no matter how many hours you fly. A few trips have block hours above 75 hours, so you get paid for actual flight time. We have a lot of six day on, eight day off trips, though a little bit of everything can be had. Sometimes I do a intra-Europe trip where I'm gone from home 10 days a month and off the rest. Being up all night is hard but I find it harder to readjust to being normal during my days off. All in all, I'm glad I fly freight because I get more time off, fly less, but still get paid about the same as a major pax airline 727 F/O. I never really thought about the job security issue but, as we can currently see, major freight is pretty secure, unless you are in the bottom 100 at UPS....and that's just a management tactic because we are in contract negotiations. I never was shooting for a career at UPS....it just kinda worked out that way. I don't think it's wise to set your sights on a specific airline at the cost of ignoring others. Iain is right, any major airline job (in the past) would be considered a good job and you can't be too choosey. Let's all hope things someday get back to normal and we can all enjoy good careers.

February 16th, 2003, 02:39	#12
albatross Junior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 80	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... The "day in the life" thing for freight pilots would be very welcome. In the meantime I would recommend reading A300's article in the perspectives section. Good stuff.

February 16th, 2003, 03:06	#13
flyinyourShorts Newbie Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: BNA 107*/37 Posts: 29	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... Funny how over the years i'm finding other people that want a career flying freight! This is my fourth year of flying for a living, and the fourth that i've flown freight. From the standpoint of flying for smaller freight carriers, you can expect quite a different expirence than your friends that go to commuters. You can plan on flying old and used airplanes in bad weather for not near top wages(oh yea, most of the airplanes you will be flying has NO autopilot). You can also expect alot of night flying, alot of time sitting around a hub in the middle of the night, and adjusting your life around your new nocturnal life. On the good side of this is the expirence you build flying in the conditions you operate from day to day(or should I say night to night). There is great opprunities for lower time pilots to build turbine PIC time. And for us who just love them, the chance to fly older airplanes. My career has had me flying in some of the more cool, old, strange, and ugly airplanes you can imagine. For my age I have alot more time under my belt than all the guys I started out with, and 95% of it is PIC and half of my time is transport catagory PIC. I wouldn't have that much PIC if I had went with the commuters. Also, depending on what kind of operation you work for, you could do all sorts of different kind of flying. If you get into an airline that flies scheduled runs plan on flying to a hub, sitting around for 3-6 hours, then flying home. If your airline does Ad-Hoc charter, you can plan on flying different places all the time hauling god knows what. I have hauled something as mundane as a radiator, to something as exotic as a male gorilla on his way to mate with a female! Also, if your doing ad-hoc, plan on living off a beeper, and not having a social life outside the crew house while your on call. I fly freight because I like the lifestyle. I enjoy working with people, but I have never been turned on my hauling pax. Just somehting about getting out of a crew bus and walking up to an old airliner with a BIG hole cut in the side that excites me. Maybe it's also because freight airlines are the only place I can fly the airplanes I have always wanted to fly... Who knows why, but I definatly know flying freight is NOT for everybody. Flying freight has taken me to most of the US, most ALL of the Caribbean islands, alot of Mexico, alot of Canada, and some of South America! Try going those places working for a commuter... The bad part is, I USUALLY didn't get to stay there long! My hope is to fly for UPS one day, although I would not pass up an opprunity to go to FedEx, DHL, or Airborne. There is really good stability in freight, and there is really good pay. You just have to get over the part that the company you work for looks at you like it does its delivery drivers. Frankly, i can't wait to put that brown uniform on! Anywho, if anybody is interested in a night in the life of a Caravan/Shorts/Convair freight pilot, just let me know....

February 16th, 2003, 10:01	#14
A300Capt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 709	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... My goal, since my "commuter airline" days was to fly for a freight company like UPS or FedEx. Job sercurity was most important to me and flying people had lost it's luster after enduring the airplane is "Too small" and I was "Too young" daily comments from the self loading freight. Most often heard comment over the years, "Hey, did you remember to wind up the rubber bands?" As far as our work schedule goes, it really depends on if you commute to work or live in domicle. I live in Louisville and mostly fly "turn" lines. That means you're out and back the same day. Typically, turns lines consist of flying 3 weeks in a row (usually 4 days each week) and 1 week off. You can fly a line consisting of morning turns or a line of evening turns. Morning trips report around 3:30am and leave around 4:30am. You'll fly outbound to a gateway somewhere, sit a couple hours and return back to Louisville arriving between 9-11:00am. Afternoon turns report around 4:00pm and depart around 5pm. You'll fly to a gateway, sit about 3-4 hours (go to dinner and/or watch TV) and return back to Louisville around midnight-2am. I usually fly turn lines because a) I can; b) I like being home everyday; and c) No commercial deadheading! I mostly fly morning turns and occasionally fly afternoon turns when I can get them (they go very senior out of Louisville)! Currently, I'm flying afternoon DFW turns. Commuters generally fly lines that are week on/week off and have commercial deadheads on both ends of the trips. This gives them more time at home. International crews may be gone 12-14 days and have the rest of the month off. Sorry, this is the short version as I'm a little busy with the family this weekend.

February 16th, 2003, 10:08	#15
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 40,600 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... I just remembered, freight guys don't have to worry about frequent fliers! The guys that, when you're deadheading in uniform, seem to always start the dreaded "deadhead conversation": Him: 'Hey, how long you been flying?' Me: 'Oh professionally since 1993' [eyes closed, back to nap] Him: [Nudges me] 'Wow, pretty easy job huh? Just push the go button! I hear the plane can almost taxi itself' Me: 'Not really' [close eyes, back to nap] Him: [Nudges me again] 'Hey, I'm a super duper mega platinum deluxe fruquent flyer, I probably fly more than you!' Me: [nod] Him: 'Seriously! I flew 80 segments on XYZ last year! Is this your line?' Me: [fake snore] Him: 'To think you guys get paid $300,000 per year! what a life! Are you married to a stewardess?' and on and on and on...

February 16th, 2003, 11:43	#16
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,651	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... Oh Doug that was you??

February 16th, 2003, 12:37	#17
pavelump Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 790	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... [ QUOTE ] Him: 'To think you guys get paid $300,000 per year! what a life! Are you married to a stewardess?' [/ QUOTE ] Just tell him, "Yeah, Sergio up in first class is my life partner." That'll probably shut him up. Maybe. Dave

February 17th, 2003, 13:25	#18
pilot602 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: who haa Posts: 3,750	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... [ QUOTE ] Damn you two! I was hoping I was the only one looking at cargo. Now I have two more people to compete against... [/ QUOTE ] $20 bucks, a crowbar and some duct tape (and maybe even some plastic sheeting) and I can take care of that for 'ya! Just kidding?

February 17th, 2003, 13:34	#19
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 40,600 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... Ack! I didn't hear that! But indeed, aviation is highly competitive... Do what you have to do!

February 17th, 2003, 13:53	#20
pilot602 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: who haa Posts: 3,750	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... Hear what? It's just bidness, that's all ... nuthin personal guys!

February 17th, 2003, 15:08	#21
E_Dawg Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 4,171	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... .... just hope you get to me first

February 17th, 2003, 23:49	#22
WillNotFly4Food Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: SGU via SLC Posts: 420	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... $20 per person or for the both of them?

February 18th, 2003, 01:02	#23
seagull Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 2,044	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... First off, with reference to civi/mil, FedEx does hire mostly military, but that is not actually due so much to a bias as to the recommendation program, where you pretty much have to know a FedEx pilot you've flown with to recommend you to the job, and since 90% of the pilots are military, guess who knows FedEx pilots? I think that the day varies depending on what you want to do. At FedEx, approx 70% of our flying is widebody aircraft. We currently operate about 220 widebodies, as compared to say, UAL, who have less than 150 but also have over twice the number of pilots we do. We have two types of domestic schedule, and the split is very close to 50/50, with a slight edge for night flying, but that is almost exclusively narrow body flying that makes the difference. In fact, I would wager that it is entirely the narrow bodies that are flying more at night. The schedule is similar AM or PM, leaving the outstation to arrive at the hub at between 10 or 12, then departing between 2 and 4 to get into the outstation by 5 or so for the layover. We also have out and backs, both AM and PM, in either case you leave the hub at 2-4 and arrive back by 11-1. PM ones are obviously easier on the body. FedEx also has the most comprehensive international route schedule of any carrier on the planet. Most of my flying has been international. My last trip departed MEM at 3AM, went to Anchorage, arriving about 6AM, then departed the next morning at 10AM for Narita, we were there for about 24 hours, departing there at about 10AM local time to fly to Manila and then to Hong Kong, lay over for 24 hours, departing there about 9PM to fly to Subic Bay then hub turn to Narita, to arrive at 6AM, and 14 hours later depart for Anchorage, arrive there at noon, then leave the next afternoon to get back to Memphis by midnight or so. Other trips just operate over to Paris for 24 hours and return, many go around the world, in either direction. We fly between Europe and Asia via direct flights between Paris and Subic Bay, flights from Frankfurt to Bangkok and another that operates both directions from Paris-Dubai-Mumbai-Bangkok-Subic. We also have direct flights from Osaka to Memphis and Oakland, San Fran to Narita and Memphis to Narita, plus direct flights to Europe from Memphis, Newark and Indy. I'm not as familar with Latin America flying, but we do a lot of that as well. One thing that always amazes me is going through Subic, which is clearly a third world country, and right in the middle of this tropical jungle is this hub with 7-8 MD-11s and several A-310s, every night of the week. Sort of surreal to me.

February 18th, 2003, 10:30	#24
pilot602 Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: who haa Posts: 3,750	Re: Steering myself in the direction of a cargo career... [ QUOTE ] $20 per person or for the both of them? [/ QUOTE ] Well ... how bout I cut you a deal - $50 for the two of 'em! (pilot math)

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