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Fastest way to UPS or FedEx?

Old 04-20-2019, 08:13 AM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by CaptainDan View Post
Maybe you can help provide some guidance for us FedEx-hopefuls...

Is Mountain Air Cargo (MAC) or Empire Airlines the best route to FedEx?
-or-
Would a regional job be the better option?

Ultimately, whichever is going to provide you with 1000 TPIC, so in an industry where seniority is everything a 1 or 2 year difference between start dates means missing out on a substantial chunk of change...

If you were in our shoes today (single, no kids, willing to relocate) which route would you personally take?

All feedback is helpful! Thanks in advance
In reality, depends on what you would like to do over the next 5 to maybe 15 years. I’d suggest enjoying the ride along the way. You could be on the bus for a few years before it stops at FedEx. General rules, build a lot of TPIC quickly. Set yourself apart from others. And don’t stagnate in one spot. If I was you, I’d knock out 1,000 TPIC in a feeder that flys type rated twin turboprops, maybe become a LCA or instructor pilot. Get your ATP and 121 time from a regional that has a quick upgrade. Repeat the LCA deal there. Try for assistant chief or base chief.
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Old 04-20-2019, 08:19 AM
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17 yrs 8 months from start of flight school to UPS ground school, multiple pt 135 operators, Atlas Alumni, 1200 TPIC. The advise to not fail checkrides, keep a low profile, and be nice to everyone no matter how much you can’t stand them, is solid advice. It’s gonna go a lot faster for some nowadays.
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Old 04-20-2019, 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by TeamSasquatch View Post
If I was you, I’d knock out 1,000 TPIC in a feeder that flys type rated twin turboprops, maybe become a LCA or instructor pilot.
skip the above if you’re going to do the below. Otherwise, it’s wasted years and seniority at the regional for minimal gain.
Get your ATP and 121 time from a regional that has a quick upgrade. Repeat the LCA deal there. Try for assistant chief or base chief.
Realistically, how much does a feeder really fly a year. 2 hours a night?
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Old 04-20-2019, 06:04 PM
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Originally Posted by aajones5 View Post
Hey everyone, so I've got my commercial ticket approx. 370TT 280PIC almost done with multi and CFI and a year away from a 4 year degree. My goal is really just to get to one of these two companies as fast as possible and so far it seems like my best option would be to go Ameriflight once i get the hours, but I'm willing to take any path that will get me to my goal the fastest. For people working at UPS of FedEx, what were the paths y'all took and how long did it take you to get there?
I'd appreciate any advice y'all can give me.
Going to give some sobering numbers: UPS has nearly 2900, less than 10 are under 30. Less than 50 are under 35. Less than 240 are under 40 (8% of the total pilots younger than 40). Don't know FedEx, but as they hire similar populations, maybe roughly same? So opportunities likely similar.
The under 30 group mostly were regional (where most got the TPIC requirements) and then ACMI for a period generally less than a year.

Regionals to ACMI seems a common background for UPS and guessing FedEx too.

Challenges with both UPS “Gateway” and FedEx “Runway” programs is matter of factly placed in their announcements. No guarantees Subject to needs (both partners needs also apply as if drain to many pilots from their partners, then they also suffer service capacity loss. It must satisfy both so service is maintained. Moving up to UPS or FedEx is actually secondary. The programs are good for both because folks join these companies hoping to ramp up. All the rage these days to capture new pilots. UPS and FedEx just matching the legacy carriers in committing folks to their pipelines.


UPS ---“The Gateway Program is open to individuals who have successfully completed UPS Airlines’ Intern Program and have been identified by UPS as eligible for the UPS/Ameriflight Gateway Program. The agreement affords the opportunity for UPS interns to potentially qualify for employment with Ameriflight and UPS Airlines, respectively, upon completion of outlined experience and training requirements. Ameriflight and UPS may offer employment to eligible pilots subject to their hiring needs, hiring standards and the program requirements.”

Fedex--- “The Purple Runway program is not a guarantee of employment as a FedEx trunk fleet pilot. Participants that have completed the program and meet FedEx qualifications will be invited to participate in the interview phase of the selection process before external candidates.” Purple Runway - Mountain Air Cargo, Inc.

Viable?
Both new programs and perhaps both airlines will actually make these productive programs for the folks who pursue the path. However, many "traditional" other regional/ACMI/Charter/Corporate/military etc competitive paths will actually provide FedEx and UPS the majority of their new hire classes. Simple numbers.

Specifically, as mentioned by others, regionals provide opportunity to grab many more hours in a year than flying at Ameriflight, Empire or Mountain Air Cargo (all great companies where you will learn some very good flying experiences that will serve you well in your aviation career).

Your question though, is it the fastest? Unknown at this time as new programs.
Don't rule out the regional/ACMI/Charter route. UPS hires many Atlas FO's (and Captains). Fair amount of Omni folks get hired as well (percentage wise for size of Omni).

Looking at backgrounds: Fastest route today percentage wise (by the numbers and necessity) is where you can build most hours the quickest in the left seat at a regional as a minimum. Often these folks go short term at ACMI/Legacy/LCC etc next.
Fix on what you believe will satisy other elements of your life so you enjoy the journey as well. Perhaps that is the relatively new programs UPS and FedEx have partnered with their service carriers.
Enjoy the journey and don't give up dreams.
Cheers
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Old 04-20-2019, 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Swedish Blender View Post
Realistically, how much does a feeder really fly a year. 2 hours a night?

Some fly short routes, some fly longer stuff. Not sure how much express mail or first class is flown in AK still? But, you can crank out some good hours flying down the coast. Lots of UPS routes have 2 stops out and two stops in. I don’t think 700hrs a year is unreasonable. Figure in 0.0 days on reserve, 0.0 days commuting a year, all PIC time. Speed you up to pass 121 training down the road. I just think it provides some easy boxes to check. A lot of people in 121 are trying to get LCA, seems like reserve times are trending up at the desirable carriers, a lot are waiting for flow too. 135 can sling shot you to LCC and better ACMI too.

Who knows what it looks like in 2 years? 5 years? I’d be cautious of stagnation though. I’d guess that all of the majors have stacks of resumes that say

College: Professional Pilot Program
1st Employer: My College, 1 year
2nd Employer: Regional XX 9 years
3rd Employer:...............


Might look better with
College: Accouting
1st Employer: CFI at local 141 1 year
2nd Employer: Feeder 135 LCA 2 yrs
3rd Employer: Regional XX 1 year
4th Employer: LCC xx 4 years

Just my opinion. Would be nice if the people who make the call would give what they think is ideal.
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Old 04-22-2019, 06:57 AM
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Originally Posted by BigC208 View Post
He can join Mountain Air Cargo or Empire and join the Purple Runway (google it) program! That’s the shortest way into a FedEx Mainline aircraft. That’s what we’ve been told by management on April the second.

DAMMIT MAN! I was drinking coffee while reading that post and I dam near drowned from laughing.
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Old 04-22-2019, 07:00 AM
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You guys are doing this fellow a dis-service. You should be advising him to broaden his job search criteria.

Jus sayin
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Old 04-22-2019, 09:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Swedish Blender View Post
Realistically, how much does a feeder really fly a year. 2 hours a night?

Yep that’s it. So 450-480 per year if you max out is all you’ll get.
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