Consider that I've applied to UPS multiple times over the last 10 years. They didn't call until I had a couple of years of part 121 widebody time.

If you want to go from a Regional to FedEx or UPS there's a common thread where most of the new hires have things on their resume that are extra. Most are sim instructors, SCAs or LCAs but I bet having Safety on your record could help as well.

Yes...I came from EDV to UPS...but it's complicated. EDV wasn't my only airline and there was other key flying before that. The trigger is different for everyone. I had over 7K total but also a varied background and I networked a bunch.

Ive been noticing fewer and fewer direct regional guys hired and more ACMI and internal WB peeps. Many of the ACMI people were at a regional previously. That being said, pretty much every regional guy I either know or met that was hired in this wave (‘14 and later) had extra items on their resumes such as training, safety, etc., and higher TT - back in the beginning we all had around 10K TT. Obviously PIC times were higher as well. Internal contacts, or the necessity of having any, have been hit or miss. One thing that has been consistent in is the company hiring to its core values. Perhaps they aren’t looking for regional guys with check airman status but instead evidence of a true hard work ethic / grit? Maybe they want people who have a sincere desire to be a UPS pilot vs those with tons of internal rec’s? My humble opinion here but I think extending the idea outwards it’s generally true for any company these days. Some companies might focus on personality profile a little more but UPS doesn’t seem to. One thing that is true is that there are no magic items to have on a resume that will get you an interview so as WhaleSurfer stated above, apply and see what happens. You never know, as many new hires will tell you. And when you get in, please come back here and share some of the insights you gained. Paying it forward/backward is always a good thing (taxes not included).

Best of luck.

I'm going to have to disagree with that. That personality profile is what's standing between me and an interview with UPS. FedEx uses it to guide their interviews, but at UPS it's step one, and they will flat turn you down if they don't like what they see, never mind your résumé with more than 20 years of successful multi-crew experience.

You’re making some great observations BUT personally I think you’re overanalyzing the interview process and are giving them too much credit.
Yes, true hard work ethic, grit, experience, etc. all matter BUT more often than not I think it boils down to pure luck.
For example, it seems that some of our interviewers prefer applicants with military backgrounds while others those with civilian backgrounds. Some value line pilots’ recommendations and others don’t, etc., etc.
So who you get matters more than what you’ve got. Sad but (in my view) true.
I have no empirical data to prove this BUT throughout the years I’ve talked to enough hopefuls who’ve made it and some who haven’t to feel this way.

Does the application window close? Looked at the UPS hiring website but didn’t see anything about an end date to submit the app. I’m asking because I’m a retired MIL pilot and I had a significant break in flying. I’m at a regional building currency and I want to wait until I have about 500 hrs before I apply. On the other hand I don’t want to miss a window. UPS is no kidding way high on my list.

Thanks.

There is no window. Your strategy is probably good.

Thanks. Good luck to us all!

In the past yes. Brown and purple would close their application windows with no forewarning whatsoever.

However, since we starting hiring again (the current, post-furlough years) the window has stayed open year around.
It’s all about supply & demand so it’ll probably stay open year-around for quite some time.

I agree with tnkdrvr’s advice.
Good luck!!