erjpilot

Do you consider single pilot ops or drones a threat to FDX/UPS pilots?

Is it ever discussed?

I realize guys in their 50's don't have much to worry about but what about FDX/UPS pilots in their 30's or those that have 30+ years to go that are targeting FDX/UPS?

MaxKts

The PAX guys get all the cool stuff first! Why don't you ask them.

Thunder1

Not this time.....

The cargo boys will be replaced by drones within 20 years at most.
Pax not so much -- maybe 40 years.

The Walrus

You guys need to report to the lab for drug testing.

Viper446

If you talk to anyone with any drone experience, ie military, this won't be a viable issue for probably 30yrs or more if ever. Every airplane would have to be modified at a huge cost, let alone are the air plane manufacturers going to make the mod? Then the redundancy is prohibitive. Who's going to control a single pilot or drone airplane as it crosses the ocean or enters another country? Who's going to prevent hacking/jamming once out of US airspace? Current military drones are crashing more than is published. Then there is the liability issue, first transport jet to crash and kill people is going to put a stop to the program. I don't see the FAA or American public being ever comfortable with single pilot or drone transport airplanes flying.

I'm not sticking my head in the sand, I've just discussed this with people who know more than I do about it. It not going to be an easy thing to do. After the Germanwings crash, you won't be seeing single pilot cockpits for a long time if ever, at least not in the next 30-40yrs.

HKFlyr

I attended a drone conference on behalf of ALPA a few years ago. Here is the dirty secret - the military drone crash rate - with cool gear and lots of money crashes at 3 times the rate of US Civil aviation. For profit airlines, with spending the bare min, will make that crappy accident rate enviable.

The long term cost benefits are prohibitively expensive, and the long term infrastructure requirements just won't make it a player.

Amazon delivery...lol. Doesn't make sense, but a good gimmick.

DangaZone

Nope, and not threat to the career of a 23 year old with a wet ink ATP.

JustUnderPar

Yep. Drones will replace everything. Driving your car. Flying your jet. Making your "stuff".

Won't need humans any longer because drones will do everything! What is the "real" unemployment rate?

YMMV

Raptor

In the year 2525, if man is still alive...... http://youtu.be/yesyhQkYrQM

Busboy

Youngsters are targeting FDX/UPS? I don't know about that...But, I have always considered single pilot ops to be a threat to any airline pilot. Specifically, single pilot VFR types. Like going into Burbank and having to dodge all the Van Nuys single pilot ops-VFR traffic, for example. And, now drones? Of course they're a threat. When any yayhoo can purchase one and fly it into/through our traffic corridors...It's a valid concern.

Now, I don't know why you would think that guys in their 50's have less to worry about...Those individuals generally have poorer eyesight. I would think they have more to worry about, when it comes to the threat of drones and single pilot ops...