Heavy Cargo Wannabe??
 

Hello everyone, I am looking for some career advice if you do not mind...
I am currently employed part time as a 135 freight dog and am looking to move on. Heavy cargo has always been towards the top of flying careers for me, but how to get there is something I am still working on.

A friend of a friend knows a FedEx pilot and a legacy carrier pilot and when I asked them what the best way to get on there was they came back with two very different answers. The legacy pilot told me to stay away from the 121 world and look at the corporate flying to get my time. The FedEx pilot told me get a job throwing boxes on the ramp at the nearest base. He also told me that I needed 1000+hrs of 12500+lb pic time, 2-3 sponsors, and several letters of recommendation. (so I am not sure how to get the required flight time as well as throw boxes?) I did not know what to make of those answers, so I thought I would come ask you guys as well.

I do not want to go work for the regionals at all, but if that is the best way to reach my goal then I guess thats what I will do. I turn 29 in a few months and I would love to be on with one of the heavy cargo companies by 35. Can that even be done?

Any advice for this Heavy wannabe is much appreciated!!

Thanks,

Runner

Divide this goal up into two problems.

1. Minimums - you won't get a foot in the door without them. Look them up on APC. They ain't easy. You have to stay flying to get them, and it has to be multi >12.5K.
2. Networking - kiss hands and shake babies. This usually comes naturally as a part of working with and meeting people. Getting an "in" at the company by throwing boxes is also a form of networking (you would be an internal hire).

Get the minimums first any way you can do it. The best way is probably to get a regional gig that is going to net you a quick upgrade or to fly corporate.

Granted, I am a military guy looking from the outside same as you, so take this advice for what it is worth. If you don't stay flying, you are going to have exactly zero percent chance of getting hired.

As a FDX MD-11 Captain it seems like almost all of the f/o's that I fly with were either military of regional folks. I was a former military/121 guy. I've only flown with a few box throwers.

I certainly wouldn't turn my nose up at a regional job. First of all the FAA recently raised regional hiring mins (if you have them people will want to talk to you) and it seems like nearly everybody in aviation recognizes the good training.

e6bpilot: Thanks for the tips. Yea I thought the idea of going and throwing boxes and not flying was a little off. Oh and as an fyi if you are looking at getting in I am finding out that the 12.5+ requirement is an internet rumor. Not sure if that is helpful to you at all but I thought I would pass it along.

MaydayMark: Thanks for the help. Its not so much me turning my nose up at the regionals its just that I passed on them a few years ago to fly a King Air and long pic time. Now I am struggling with the thought that if I go the regional route the last 7 years is almost a waste and that the 1100 tpic I have doesn't really get me anything with them.

Thanks again.

Runner

Not quite a "rumor."

From the internet site FedEx uses for applications.

https://fedex.pilotcredentials.com/i...qualifications

"1500 hours total fixed-wing time as pilot-in-command (PIC) or second-in-command in multi-engine turbo-prop A/C or jet A/C or combination thereof (GTOW 12,500), including a minimum of 1000 hours total fixed-wing pilot-in-command in multi-engine turbo prop A/C or jet A/C or combination thereof (GTOW 12,500)."

Sorry to say, but if 1100 tpic means Turbine PIC time, that ain't much. Bottom line, you need as much flight time as possible. While I didn't fly for a regional, you need to do your best to get hired by one that will get you to the left seat as soon as possible - that is the time that really counts. You need to bulk up on quality time as quickly as you can and still keep money in your bank account.

I went the box thrower route, but then I had been a military guy and had plenty of recommendations. One internal hire in my interview class had over the minimums flying King Airs either checks-at-night or corporate. He went into the sim first and came out double thumbs up - we didn't see him again. If you are a bare minimums guy/gal with a thin resume, you'll get the interview, but probably not the job.

If the biggest thing you've flown is a King Air, I'd look for something bigger and the regionals will have it. Corporate can be a good gig, but the one thing you'll miss is the networking potential you'll gain from flying with your buds in the regionals.

I'll give my biggest piece of advice for you or anyone wanting to get hired with the majors - if you meet a pilot flying for them and they give you their card......use it. You could have just been given the keys to the kingdom - email that guy the next day, tell him thanks for the jumpseat, time of day, whatever. He could be the next Chief Pilot or head of hiring at that airline.

Getting your foot in the door is as important as getting the flight time. Open the doors that open in your path.

FlyBoyd: Ok thank you, I stand corrected. Sorry for passing along bad info.
I have heard several different people on another site that work there that said this wasn't the case. I guess things have changed since they got on.

Sorry and thank you again!

Runner

LightAttack: Yea I agree that the 1100 turbine pic is not much at all and I have really been hitting a wall here the last few months on getting that any higher, hence my reason to move on. I appreciate the info and helpful insight.

Would you suggest maybe trying to get a part time box throwing gig on the side if I could?

Thanks,

Runner

Runner,

FWIW, I know a guy who flew 1900's for the regionals years ago and got on with FedEx by throwing boxes. He flew on weekends, and threw boxes at night during the week (living and working in domicile). I'm not sure if he was part time or full time, but I do know it was FedEx Express, which is a must. He had in the neighborhood of 1500TPIC when the hiring window opened up, had put his time in (not sure if 12, 18, or 24 months), and was given the guaranteed interview, and hired. Not at all the normal path, but it has happened.

Good luck.

get the required minimums.
throw boxes.

FedEx Express only.

FedEx Ground/Freight/Etc will not work, and they typically pay less and give less benefits.