What is a decent cargo carrier to gain overwater time required for the larger carriers like fedx and ups? Trying to plan a future with little regional flying as possible! Thanks

 

Haha...man you just started at ATP around 6 weeks ago. Baby steps! Most any airline that operates Int'l routes that would give you experience for FDX/UPS is going to want turbine PIC. Plan to be at the regionals for a few years(minimum). You could get lucky and get on at CAL w/ no TPIC but then won't meet the PIC mins for FDX/UPS. Quite the conundrum.

 

Half of achieving your goals is proper planning. And checklists!

 

FedEx does not require over water experience and UPS just stopped requiring it. However, I'm sure they both prefer that experience.

I hope your interview at Atlas, Gemini, Omni, World, etc won't start with you saying: "I don't really want to work here, I just prefer this place from any regional out there; I figure I might as well hang out here before FedEx or UPS finally calls me!

 

First, ups is a goal, but any flying job would be great. Second, I have been told by pilots at both fedx and ups (my father) its required. Better check your information.

 

It's never been a requirement at FDX as far as I know(and definitely not in the last 10 years) and it's no longer a requirement at UPS. Better re-check your checked information.

 

Hmmm, I have quite a few friends at Purple and that's the first I've heard. Pretty sure FedEx never had "over water" requirement. Now, they might have had a Marine, Navy, ANG, etc. requirement but that's a different story (and a joke only...)

At UPS the transoceanic requirement was a very brief requirement (approximately a total of 8 months I believe). Who are your sources? Remember that if you’ve only “met” your friends on a message board, they’re probably not a very good “source.” Wait a minute! That doesn’t apply to us of course!!!

Ps. If your father is one of your sources and he works for UPS that means you won't be able to work for UPS unless he retires...but I'm sure you knew that already...

 

he's on the way out age 62. I wont be there for a while after retirement. I'm not trying to be rude at all, just looking for advice. Being from Lousiville, I have met and am friends with many UPS pilots. Their advice I consider requirments. Everyone I have talked to told me the overwater time is very important especially since Alaska seems to be where action is heading.

 

he's on the way out age 62. I wont be there for a while after retirement.

I see; sounds like nepotism rule won’t be a problem for you.

I'm not trying to be rude at all, just looking for advice.

Rude? Not for a second did I think you were rude, if my post implies otherwise, I apologize.

Being from Lousiville, I have met and am friends with many UPS pilots. Their advice I consider requirments.

Now I see where we seem to have a disagreement. To me the only requirements are the ones the company (UPS or FEDEX) impose (I list them below) - nothing more and nothing less. What your friends are talking about are the “competitive minimums,” in other what an average pilot seems to have when hired.

If you are going to use their advice as a “minimum requirement” you are short-changing yourself. Why? - Because your friends as much as they’re trying to help you are not the ones who are going to hire you. The people you need to focus on work in the HR departments of FedEx and UPS. Of course, I think you should listen to your friends and learn from them as much as you can. They failed however to tell you that since UPS staring hiring in November of 2004 there has only been a very short period where the transoceanic experience was a “requirement” - in other words you couldn’t even apply if you didn’t have it. That period lasted one application period only (I think less than 6 months, someone correct me here?) but it’s gone as of a few weeks ago (read requirements below). Therefore, always apply when you meet the minimums, NOT when your friends think you might be competitive.

As far as “Alaska” hiring – true – many new-hires end up there but the majority of them have transoceanic experience from before. So if you decide to take the regional route after all (I’m not suggesting it, just saying – IF) you might not end up in ANC after all.

Either way, good luck to you!

From www.upsjobs.com

UPS FLIGHT OFFICER REQUIREMENTS:


All applicants must possess the following basic qualifications:
Have a minimum of 1500 hours of total fixed-wing pilot time
Have a minimum of 1000 hours pilot in command (PIC) hours in fixed-wing jet and/or fixed-wing multi-engine turboprop
Pilot in Command, per FAR 1.1, means the person who:
Has final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of the flight;
Has been designated as the pilot in command before or during the flight;
Holds the appropriate category, class, and type rating, if appropriate, for the conduct of the flight
Other requirements include:
Hold a valid passport
Bachelor's degree is preferred.
Recency and type of experience will be considered.
Have authorization to work in the United States
Be at least twenty-one years of age
Note: Please fully complete the application prior to clicking SUBMIT. Updates are not permitted!
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Hold a current FAA First Class Medical Certificate
Hold a current ATP certificate OR hold an ATP written with a commercial pilot airplane multiengine land certificate with instrument certificate
Hold a current flight engineer written or current flight engineer certificate
Hold an FCC restricted radiotelephone operator permit
Minimum of 1500 hours of total fixed-wing pilot time. (UPS will allow military candidates to add a plus (.3) per sortie factor to flight times)
Minimum of 1000 hours pilot in command (PIC) hours in fixed--wing multi-engine turboprop per FAR 1.1. (UPS will allow military candidates to add a plus (.3) per sortie factor to flight times)

 

mjmuel0,
Slice has a good plan. Get 2-3 yrs "regional" with 2000 turbine and 500 PIC and then you're competitive with most folks,opening up many options. Any worthwhile blue water time comes much later.
Maintain those contacts, but first things first.
Good luck,and
Regards