atpwannabe

Question for the flightcrew members of UPS & FedEx:

1. Are MAC, Airnet and other Part 135 pilots that meet or exceed the published minimums for your respective companies hired? If so, do any of you have any numbers such as to how many from each company are hired?

2. Would you recommend going the Part 135 route as oppose to the regional--Part 121 route? Why?

3. In terms of being competitive, TT and ME jet/turbo-prop, how many hours does one realistically needs to have nowadays?

Thanks in advance. I'm just trying to chart a course for my career.


atp

Fartknocker

I'm not sure about #1, but I can try to answer the other two. I have heard of some former corporate pilots getting hired. I am not sure of their entire flying background though.

If you can go the 121 route, do it. 135 may not be bad, but 121 may be better. FedEx and UPS are 121 airlines. I would assume that a prior 121 job would be better than 135, just a guess. Also, I would think that the prior 121 experience would help you through training and flying at FedEx or UPS.

How much TT and ME turbine time to be competitive? You need to meet the minimums. That's it. All of your turbine time may not have to be in a jet either. A turboprop will work. I know of a few pilots that have been hired with zero or very low jet time. I am one of them.

The most important part of all may be up to your sponsor. They need to get you in for a meeting with a chief pilot, and follow up regularly. I'm not sure what the secret is after that. Persistence and patience is all I can advise you to use. (Can you do both at the same time? )


Good luck!