Cargo vs Passenger pilot
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,756
I am prior military, flew pax for a couple of years, and freight for over 20. While I enjoyed my pax job when I had it, I realize how much more I like flying freight. FedEx is very mission oriented, it is about the flying and you don't have to deal with the BS involved with pax and flight attendants. I did not consider dealing with flight attendants a positive, it was a hassle and I'm not particularly social with people I don't know. I really like it being all about flying (with a few freight and haz issues), and only having one other person to work with. I appreciate having the flexibility to manage my schedule to work my butt off one month, and have the next month off (my own choice). I don't worry about furloughs or pay cuts, ever, I work for an awesome company, and I personally would not trade the bottom seniority number at FedEx for the #1 seniority number anywhere.
#15
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Posts: 13
I am prior military, flew pax for a couple of years, and freight for over 20. While I enjoyed my pax job when I had it, I realize how much more I like flying freight. FedEx is very mission oriented, it is about the flying and you don't have to deal with the BS involved with pax and flight attendants. I did not consider dealing with flight attendants a positive, it was a hassle and I'm not particularly social with people I don't know. I really like it being all about flying (with a few freight and haz issues), and only having one other person to work with. I appreciate having the flexibility to manage my schedule to work my butt off one month, and have the next month off (my own choice). I don't worry about furloughs or pay cuts, ever, I work for an awesome company, and I personally would not trade the bottom seniority number at FedEx for the #1 seniority number anywhere.
#16
Banned
Joined APC: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,275
I know your asking about Fed Ex, just thought I'd let you know about the others too.
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2016
Position: Old and Unemployed
Posts: 107
The real question in this thread is why? Why do you want to fly? A) For the money? B) For the time off? C) Because you love to do the job and can’t wait to park your ass in some far away place that you may never see again? If you answered C, you are a prime candidate for the freight dog life. I am a single digit seniority holder at Kalitta. Have had amazing fun. Beers in places I would never see without this career. And, thanks to a new CBA, will make as much $ as any of my major airline friends who have much more boring lives. Life is not about the damn dollar. It is about having so much fun that you regret dying. And, the ACMI tribe definitely have the best stories to tell. Just sayin’…
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,756
What I am referring to is that at FedEx you have the flexibility to work as much or as little as you like, staffing permitted. I could pick up trips constantly, if I want to make more money, or drop all my trips, and not work at all. Most people use the schedule flexibility to work extra, but I prefer to work a lot in the first and last part of the year, and get most of the summer off. I still want a good paycheck, but at different times in your life, you may want to work less, regardless of when your vacation is.
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2017
Posts: 156
The real question in this thread is why? Why do you want to fly? A) For the money? B) For the time off? C) Because you love to do the job and can’t wait to park your ass in some far away place that you may never see again? If you answered C, you are a prime candidate for the freight dog life. I am a single digit seniority holder at Kalitta. Have had amazing fun. Beers in places I would never see without this career. And, thanks to a new CBA, will make as much $ as any of my major airline friends who have much more boring lives. Life is not about the damn dollar. It is about having so much fun that you regret dying. And, the ACMI tribe definitely have the best stories to tell. Just sayin’…
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: B777/CA retired
Posts: 1,483
Interesting view points.
I've done both, although mostly pax for the last 30 years. There's a lot to be said for not dealing with passengers and F/As. Boxes have a lot less drama.
ACMI is a tough business, though. Your company is always competing for a contract and the pressure to keep costs down is big. I'm glad to see the money is finally getting better. FEDEX and UPS are the holy grails of freight. A job there is tough to get because they are the best paid with the best contracts. Non sched freight is really tough on the lifestyle and the paycheck, but probably has some of the most diverse flying. I couldn't see myself staying in the non sched world, I bailed for regional then airline flying.
I will say that now that I'm doing more overseas flying that I really enjoy the passenger business again. It's a different world from domestic, as I'm sure all you guys who ride to your cargo pickup points can attest. Food is better and the crew rest pod and extra pilot are welcome treats after years of 8 hour days with 2 man crews. I'm in this for the overnights, I like to do things in different cities. Just had 48 hours in ZRH, went snowboarding in the Alps. I'm sure the cargo guys can do that as well but I just wanted to put it out there that pax ops can have good overseas layovers as well.
I've done both, although mostly pax for the last 30 years. There's a lot to be said for not dealing with passengers and F/As. Boxes have a lot less drama.
ACMI is a tough business, though. Your company is always competing for a contract and the pressure to keep costs down is big. I'm glad to see the money is finally getting better. FEDEX and UPS are the holy grails of freight. A job there is tough to get because they are the best paid with the best contracts. Non sched freight is really tough on the lifestyle and the paycheck, but probably has some of the most diverse flying. I couldn't see myself staying in the non sched world, I bailed for regional then airline flying.
I will say that now that I'm doing more overseas flying that I really enjoy the passenger business again. It's a different world from domestic, as I'm sure all you guys who ride to your cargo pickup points can attest. Food is better and the crew rest pod and extra pilot are welcome treats after years of 8 hour days with 2 man crews. I'm in this for the overnights, I like to do things in different cities. Just had 48 hours in ZRH, went snowboarding in the Alps. I'm sure the cargo guys can do that as well but I just wanted to put it out there that pax ops can have good overseas layovers as well.
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