Fastest way to UPS or FedEx?
 

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.

You should ask this question on the Fed Ex or UPS forum.

I was 43 when hired at Purple. 20 years of active duty. Definitely not the fastest, but the "check of the month club" gives me a little consolation. I would say the fastest route is wherever you can get 1000 turbine pic the fastest. My guess is some sort of full time reserve job flying cargo or maybe the regionals if you can upgrade quickly. Based on hiring over the past couple of years, my guess is you'll be at least 30ish+/- by the time you get the hours.

Best of luck. Love Purple!


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Finish your degree
Instruct till you can get on with PlaneSense or similar ( 1 year)
With ATP go to Regionals
Upgrade at said regional ( 2 years)
Fly 1000 TPIC ( 2 years)
Start applying at FedEx and UPS
Apply with an ACMI to get “heavy longhaul” time till you get hired.
So realistic minimum 5-7 years from now.
Up to never.....

I would also suggest jump seating on both Fed Ex and UPS when you are at a regional to make sure it is actually what you want to do. I can’t think of a better way of getting acquainted with their way of life.

Ameriflight Signs Gateway Agreement w/UPS
 

https://w3.ameriflight.com/ameriflight-signs-gateway-program-agreement-with-ups-airlines/

Don’t use y’all.:D

Seriously, be persistent yet respectful in your communications with them. If there’s one thing that goes a long way it’s the realization that you are genuinely interested in their specific company, as you’ve stated here. Good luck Sir!

Nothing wrong with the example by itself - but you do have to replace "realistic" with "extremely optimistic 5-7 years"
C'mon Don't lie to the kids! it is an airline industry he is interested in afterall..
You forgot to through in a furlough or two, with years of non-flying and than years of trying to get back to flying..

So...honestly 12-20 years would be more on the "realistic" side.

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.

...oh " by management" huh, that must be true than. Hard not to be sarcastic, but c'mon bud, give yourself some credit, I don't believe you're that gullible..

Yeah, I guess I was not sarcastic enough. Maybe I should’ve added a “don’t drink the cool-aid” remark.

It’s not all gloom and doom though. If you can do DEC in the ATR and be based with an aircraft, life is good. Home every day. Three weeks on, one week off. Fly 2 hours per night and spend 8 hours in a hotel. Weekends home. There’s hardly any attrition among those guys.

I do appreciate hearing realistic numbers, this is a career that I'm 100% sure that I want to get into so I'm willing to accept all the bad for the good.

The key to this career field is to simply not step onto any land mines, and the playing field is loaded with them.
These land mines are disguised as failed check rides, upsetting the wrong people, vindictive employers that abuse PRIA, FAA LOI’s, a simple lapse in good judgement, etc. Keep a low profile, try really hard to not fail any check rides, avoid working for crappy outfits(incredibly hard to do just starting out), always be a professional, and most importantly, don’t backstab your fellow pilot. Small industry, people remember, and very often will be on the other side of the fence when you are trying to get in somewhere.

It took me 18 years from zero hours total time to FedEx new hire. Results may vary but I was young for my new-hire class.

One company is based in Memphis, TN, the other in Louisville, KY.
I’d say “y’all” should work for him/her just fine. As it should.. ;-)

-finish your degree
-next goal is to get ATP as soon as possible, in the current hiring environment a lot of doors will open after that.
- I flew at Compass and there were a lot of pilots hired that just got their ATPs, same at other regionals.
-depending on which regional you go to, you could upgrade in 2-3 years or less. many things affect upgrade time so don't pick a company just because today they have the quickest upgrade.
best thing is to pick one that has a base close to where you live.
trust me, your life will be much happier.
-as soon as you are able, jumpseat on one of the cargo guys, the type of flying is not for everyone, don't go to a cargo airline just because they have a good pay scale.

do you guys have anybody with heavy type rating and international experience but less than 1000 PIC?

Are you a FedEx pilot? I’d like to hear more about the Purple Runway program !

-finish your degree.
-finish your degree.
-finish your degree.
I made that mistake and now I wish I finished it earlier.

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.

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.

Realistically, how much does a feeder really fly a year. 2 hours a night?

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

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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DAMMIT MAN! I was drinking coffee while reading that post and I dam near drowned from laughing.

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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

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