ElBow513,

There are many smaller cargo carriers that fly all over the US. Some fly the mail. Some fly UPS or FedEx stuff. Some fly canceled checks. Some are there for on demand charter. There are literally hundreds of these outfits all over. I'm sure there are more of them than I can name, but some I can think of are Mountain Air Cargo, Empire Aviation, Airnet, Paragon, Cherry Air, Kalitta, Ameriflight, Air Cargo Carriers, Wiggins Air, USA Jet, and Ameristar.

Some of these are nationwide, some are local outfits. Some may fly better equipment than others. Some may not even be around anymore, these are just the ones I can think of.

Some of these have jets, some have piston twins, some have caravans. Try to get in a turbine twin if possible. This is what you will need to get on at any major, including FedEx.

Look around the web and see what you can find out about these folks. flightinfo.com has some info as well.

Good luck.

Most of the smaller cargo airlines fly 135 IFR, that would require you to have 1200 hours. There are regionals that are hiring at around 600 hours. There are some people that don't want to instruct, tow banners, or fly jumpers the extra time that it would take to get the 135 entry level cargo job and jump right into the 121 regionals instead. Strange when you think about it, the FAA lets you kill a lot of people on a 121 flight with just a few hours, but to kill 6 people or some mail, you have to have 1200 hours. Love the government. The regional will probably get you the turbine PIC time that you need for the major pax airline faster than the 135 cargo airline.

"The regional will probably get you the turbine PIC time that you need for the major pax airline faster than the 135 cargo airline"

How do you figure? Go to Amflight and you're logging turbine PIC in six months. Go to a regional, and it could take 3 to 5 years.

I think the better question being posed here is, if you can suck up the extra time and effort its gonna take to get the 135 mins., would going the cargo route (Airnet, Empire, etc.) be a good way of getting to the majors or better yet a UPS or FedEX in roughly (give or take a year or two) the same amount of time? Do the big cargo companies like to see guys with single pilot IFR time and cargo experience, will that give you a leg up?

Two other options.

First--buy a big gun and a flashy car. Go find the biggest, nastiest crack dealer in town. Shoot him between the eyes...in public. Tell everyone around you are going to "F" his Hos and Kill anyone who messes with you. Start selling meth to round out your new crack distributorship.

Second--get hired by a major at 28. Hope it lasts until you are 60.

I don't really think there is that much difference in the two plans. Each has its own risks, and the payoff if you are lucky can be very high. The downside risks are also pretty similar. These days I can't tell the difference between a good lookin' crack ***** and an ugly flight attendant, so that's pretty much a wash too.

The third option...if you care...is try the military for a few years. No drug dealers trying to kill you or CEOs trying to rob you and have sex with every creature in your house including your dog...just the occasional war to deal with. Option 3 worked out pretty well for me...

I'd do the same...BTW, how many beers does a guy have to buy at the Jet Lag before he can get a recommendation:D

Albie, OMG, lol, lol, that's just 2 funny. nice.

Elbow
If the others don't mind, I would venture to say that most of the replies you generated really struck a beautiful chord in each of the responders' hearts. For me, at least, you just brought back to memory the "awe" and "splendor" that, I dare say, exists to this day, somewhere, in each of our hearts.

The simple fact that you are doing this kind of research, at 16, speaks VOLUMES of your passion. Most all here know how much we "wanted it".

In your planning toward this goal, if you have a plan, and you want it, you will succeed! That's not to say that you will get what you want, but



You will succeed!

"geronimo"

ohhhhh, the joy of youth. Halcion days.

read it again.

good lookin crack ho vs ugly FA. LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

2 much

El Bow...
 

It is great that you are starting your research now...so that you can make informed choices to reach your goal. There are so many ways to do this that you need to talk to a lot of people to see what route will be most appealing to you. You need to take into account your personality, motivation, quality of life, time line, and end goals...ect, ect.

When I was in your shoes...I started flying in the Civil Air Patrol. It was cheap flying and it introduced you to the Air Force.

After High School you are going to need a 4 year College Degree...During this time you need to open up as many doors as possible.

Go to one of the Academies: Navy/Air Force
ROTC and most University's
A professional flight program at a University (North Dakota/ER/Perdue)
Any University and fly at your local airport

If you go to a University and do not go through ROTC you can call National Guard or Air Force Reserve units and bug them for 4 years until they give you an interview for a UPT (Undergraduate Pilot Training Slot...best kept secret).

If you do not go military...you will have to build flight time. Either at the same school or move and start flight instructing. Once you build up some time you will have to look for multi-engine flying...flight instructing, flying checks, small cargo, weather modification, or network and get in on a corporate job.

Then you will have enough time to get on with a Regional/Commuter Airline. After some time there you will upgrade to Captain and after more time, hard work, and a lot of sacrifices you can apply to a Major Airline.

Right now FedEx, Southwest, and UPS have the HIGHEST requirements to apply and get hired. United, Delta, Northwest, Alaska...their requirements are not as high TO APPLY but to get hired it changes depending on the supply and demand of pilots.

If you chose to go one of the several military routs...there could be several outcomes. But you will more than likely get to skip ALL of the flying mentioned above. You will get all the experience and flight time you need to apply straight to ANY major airline including FedEx/UPS.

Sorry this is so long...I am sure you can get more info from ALL of these guys as to witch way they did it and what their experience was like (I am sure there is more ways than I listed). Also continue your research into all of this so that you can choose what would be best for you. Best of luck.

BWP

Don't forget the INVESTMENT of diamonds in your teeth and the largest most expensive wheels you can fit on your $1500 car. Call them a prerequisite for the job.