Suggestions on working my way up.
 

Hello to all!! I know you guys prolly get tired replying to us newbies, but I would appreciate some suggestions on how to work my way up to flying for a major cargo airline such as FedEx or UPS. I know a lot of you guys have been down this road already and I would just like to hear from some of you any ideas you might have. I have been a private pilot since I was 18 and have been flying for 3 years now. I am currently working full time right now to save money for school next semester. I am going to an 4 year aviation school/college in Killeen, Texas (Tarleton State University) and have 2 1/2 years left. I should finish my instrument through commercial MEL and CFII by the time I graduate. My guess is I'll have around 400-450 TT with around 25-35 hours Multi when I graduate. I was wondering where you guys think I should start/be qualified to build up some time at. Are there other ways to build time without being a flight instructor? I know that I need to build all the multi time/time I can get, turbine time especially. Does it help to fly for a company that is subcontracted out by FedEx or UPS for the increased possibility that I could get an interview with one of them down the road? Flying nights and working crazy hours is all worth it to me, just let me know what ya think. Thanks!!!

Join the Air National Guard or Air Force Reserves.

Get the best training in the world and make a nice salary for 2-3 years.

Get a job at a Regional and once you finish IOE (which is initial training) volunteer for deployments with your Guard/Reserve unit and take mil leave from the airline. That way you make a living wage and accrue seniority at the airline.

If you choose the right Regional, you'll make Capt at the airline and aircraft commander in your Reserve unit at about the same time. Once you get 1000 pic you'll be able to apply to the majors. You may also be able to get an ART job which is a full time position in the reserves which pays over 100k.

Keep asking questions and start calling some Guard/Reserve units. C-130 and KC-135 units are plentiful and usually send folks to Air Force pilot training.

I agree with LJS. Join a reserve unit and fly for a regional airline at the same time. You will build quality time with two good places.

Networking is the key. At both places you will meet lots of pilots. Play nice and stay in touch with them. When they get hired at FedEx or UPS, they can recommend you. This is what it takes to get a job at one of these places. You have to know someone who works for them.

Keep flying and get turbine PIC as fast as possible. Minimums are 1000, but you need roughly 1500-3000 PIC to be competitive. It doesn't matter if it's t-prop or jet, just get it. Jet PIC may look better, but if it's in a t-prop, no big deal.

Once you get 1000 PIC turbine, call your friends who work where you want to work. Ask what it takes to get an interview. Right now at FedEx, you have to have a FedEx employee sponsor you. This sponsor is someone who knows you well and has preferably flown with you. Your sponsor will have to go to bat for you with his/her supervisor. They will set up a meeting with you and decide if they want to offer you an interview to work there.

So, network, get turbine PIC, and go after what you want.

Good luck!! :D

Thanks for taking some time to reply back!! I really like the idea of gaining seniority with an airline and being on military leave gaining even more experience/ working up in rank their. I will be looking into the reserves/national guard soon!! Thanks again!!

"Does it help to fly for a company that is subcontracted out by FedEx or UPS for the increased possibility that I could get an interview with one of them down the road?"

Though I did, I don't think, in this day and age, that it helps much.

It's about experience and who you know. Get the right experience and know the right peeps, and you have a shot.

That's the way it is.....good luck.