I can't believe it hasn't been said so I'll be that guy. Cargo ops will be the first to go single pilot and the first to eventually go pilotless. Will we see this in our lifetimes? That's the big question. No one really disputes that it's in the works, however.

In the end, whether you subscribe to this threat to cargo pilot jobs or not, the point is no pilot job is 100% secure. At least you should add this to your calculus.

Some interesting discussion in this thread....
https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/c...-aircraft.html

I don't want to entirely re-hash the whole thread, but here are a few highlights:
1) Cost of "failure" in the software/tech world vs. in the airline world
2) Incompatability of remotely piloted aircraft with traditionally manned aircraft //Sidebar here for those of you who haven't experienced this firsthand...The USAF is probably the largest operator of unmanned aircraft at the moment, and they've got 15 years of trying to figure it out. When they launch or recover an RPA from a field which normally launches manned aircraft, it shuts down the airfield for 15-20 mins while they tow it into place, and prep it for launch. Can you imagine this happening at a JFK or LAX?//
3) No unmanned transport category aircraft currently on the books...FedEx likes to get airplanes at a bargain price, which generally means using old airplanes that still have some life left, or getting "last years model" in a freighter version, after all the pax carriers have moved on to the next hottest thing. From what I've seen so far, "Develop a new airplane for certification" doesn't seem to fit the model here...maybe Prime Air will take a gamble on this.
4) Points 2 and 3 above...incompatibility + nothing on the drawing board = its probably all going to happen at once when it happens, but I think we'll have some warning signs (below)
5) Regulatory challenges
6) The requirement to have all airfields (or at least the ones you want to operate into + a good number of alternates) be auto land compatible
7) Current limitations of auto land systems (X-Winds come to mind)
8) The first computer controlled freight train was tested in Canada in 1962....and the U.S. Congress requested a report on Automated Train Control in 1976. 40-50 years later, and freight trains still have a conductor and an engineer.
9) Certification process of new aircraft (unmanned will take even longer)
10) Cost-Benefit: What percentage of the cost are pilots at FDX (or any operator)...(can't remember from my indoc brief, but I know it wasn't the top cost)...versus...what is the cost (financial, and to the brand) if a 777-sized automated airplane (with DG?) crashes in a populated area?

Things to watch for (my thoughts only)
- Fully Automated Freight Train Routes
- Single-Pilot option (w/remote monitor) aircraft development
- DARPA's ALIAS program

I agree that no pilot job is 100% secure (no JOB is 100% secure), but I think it will be awhile before we see less than 2 pilots in transport category aircraft...at any operator.

And nobody saw FaceBook coming.

If the cargo guys go single/ no pilot you better believe the pax carriers will follow shortly after.

thread drift annunciator is on....

...except the people that made Myspace and Friendster.

And nobody could hack FaceBook causing the death of thousands of people.

700,000lb flying piece of metal going 500mph with no one behind the controls ??? You won't see it happen for a century or more. There isn't one single legitimate insurance company on this earth that's going to touch that gamble.




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United has had a ton of ups and downs over the years, and the passenger business is tough. And yet...there they are...with solid pay rates, 787s on property and more coming, and a CEO that seems to be Richard Anderson-eqe in wanting to build a better brand. They are committed (unlike Delta) to doing alot of their international flying in house, and have more WBs on property and on order than the other legacies.

FedEx has a long track record of fantastic success, and a great fleet of WBs. I've averaged about 250-300 block a year while making a great living the last decade. The people are great and the insulation from some of the pax drama makes me happier year after year.

I don't know what the future holds, but our CEO will eventually retire, and while I am sure there is a solid transition plan this place is full of unknowns too. Boxes do not care how they get somewhere--belly freight, railroad, ship, truck or drone...but people are never going to go back to riding a boat to Europe or across the Pacific. High speed rail won't replace NY-LAX or SEA-SFO flying. Somebody is gonna be flying passengers 30 years from now...will it be United?

At some point, you need to decide what you want to do and what makes you happiest. Jumpseating on a FedEx flight or two and talking to the crew would probably be a smart option for you. At your age you will eventually get where you want to be, but you might have a couple years of a tougher schedule as you work your way towards that seat and enough seniority to make it work as a commuter. If you can stand the bad part, the "good" trips at FedEx can be very, very good.

Finally--I regularly have talked to roomfulls of pilots that would love to be at either place. While it doesn't make an "A or B" choice any easier, the good news is you are a winner either way.

Just flew a 14 day a round the world trip with a former 7 YEAR United guy. He never regrets it's for a minute.

Go to the interview and give it your best. If they offer you a job, then you have a decision to make. As a single guy I would consider going to Hong Kong with FedEx. You will be making $178 an hour on second year pay and flying not more than 250 block hours.

Good luck... anyways you are already a winner!