Trying to become a Cargo Pilot
 

Hello, my name is Garrett, and I'm trying to become a Cargo Pilot, flying Boeing 777s for FedEx. Any advice on how to get there? Currently I am in college for a 4 year, Aviation Management degree, and I'm working towards my private pilot, then instrumental license, then commercial license, then multi-engine license. After that, I assume I'll need a set amount of flight hours to begin working for FedEx, so I'm wondering whether the Air National Guard would be a good choice, or should I go commercial until I have enough flight hours? Thanks! -Garrett

Generally there are stepping stones even for cargo. You probably won't start out at Fedex or UPS. You'll start out at a smaller carrier like Ameriflight building your turbine multi engine hours until you can apply to somewhere like Fedex.

There are many ways to get there Do a search and check out which path you'd be interested in..

Hi Garrett,

I'm nowhere near where you are talking about career wise, but I am about halfway there (I'm up to flight instructor) and give you some pointers to help shape your expectations at this point in your life. It appears that you have your heart set on FedEx, that's cool, I had my heart set on a company when I started also. Unfortunately for me the company I had my heart set on merged with another company! But this is the way of things in this industry. Keep an open mind.

1. I would find a job with Fedex, whatever it may be. It could be an internship. I work at United, and internships carry weight with our hiring algorithm for future pilots. It also exposes you to the inner workings of the company at the lowest level and is a great networking tool to get to know pilots.. who are doing exactly what you want to do. I did this and it has been the best decision I've made in my life.
2. The "set amount of hours" you refer to are the hiring minimums and competitive hiring minimums. I wouldn't get too hung up on this because there is so much more to the hiring process than just hours. Each company has their own set of criteria they look for in a pilot candidate. Hence why I suggest getting a job there.
3. I can't answer your commercial vs military question. Sometimes I wish I would've joined up after high school. Then again, I graduated almost right after 9/11. That being said, there are some guys I know who went to flight school with their GI bill.
4. Get familiar with the seniority system. Your whole career and life will be married to it.

Good luck.

Keep pursung your dream, but always have a backup plan. Look around you. Overwater, Pilot-less cargo flight is well within reach of your generation, probably more towards your mid-career point, but quite possibly much sooner than you think. Long haul cargo is hard on your body. Long periods of sitting=boredom, multiple tme zones.. It's not as glamorous as it seems. Passenger flight with pilot-less aircraft is probably farther down the road in the future, due to our comfort level with "Hal"...

Great movie BTW, if you have not seen it... 2001 A Space Odyssey.

Air National Guard would be about the best possible way to build time for FEDEX. You will want to pick a unit which flies fighters or heavies (tanker/C5/C17), as that sort of time is valued by the cargo operators. FDX does like fighter types.

But very few people get to pick the major airline they work for, and if they do it's usually by luck. You'll need to be open to FDX, UPS, and certain other cargo carriers if you're determined to fly boxes.

You really should be open to all upper-tier legacy airlines.

Get all your ratings.
CFI is optional
1-2 years as a survey pilot until you get 135 minimums
Find a 135 outfit that you can upgrade quickly to get TPIC, ex: air cargo carriers

Stay there until you find something that you like

From a friend who recruits at FedEx, checking these boxes will help you the most to get the call:

1. Military
2. Line Check Airman, Instructor, or other type of Evaluator Position (PCA, APD, whatever) at an airline. (ignore if you're military)
3. 2500-3500hrs PIC JET TIME (again, ignore if you're military)

The hiring game at FedEx and many/most of the Legacy Airlines is very favorable towards military pilots (good ole boys club), but you can still get in as a civilian if military service is not your thing, just takes a lot more work.

G:

I'm not a pilot...however, I've learned a helluva lot from these guys on this forum. I would major in something other than Aviation Mgmt unless you plan on going into management after flying. Not saying that you won't use some/most of the knowledge while on the flight deck...but...it's your choice.

Since you're already @ the University, try AFROTC. Just as rick7777 suggested C5/C-17; C-130. You could go the Ameriflight, MAC, or Flight Express route.

A buddy of mine was just hired by FedEx. He'll be flying the 777. He was a CP for ASA which eventually was bought by ExpressJet. Matter of fact, he had offers from DAL, UPS & FedEx. He lives in ATL.

Whatever you decide....all the best!


atp

I am a new hire FedEx pilot, been here almost a year, make sure you finish your degree 4 years to the day or sooner! ANG is a great route wish I had done it that way, but instead I had to go through 5 airlines to get to FedEx. I would do your time at the ANG then when its weekends only or whatever fly for a regional. Try to never have a training failure, intern, become a handler shows interest in the company. good luck