dera

Company provides hotels for that time?
Or are you expected to "rest" in an FBO?

frmrbuffdrvr

Hotel. Unlike some other operators, we don't expect you to get rest in a recliner.

And the hotels are generally of a higher quality than when I first started here. Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, La Quinta, Hilton Garden Inn, etc. The only times we use places like Super 8 or Best Western are where those are the best the small town has to offer.

dera

Good to hear, that's the legit way to do it.

I know a company who will fly you out in the PM, fly back AM, and you "rest" in a sofa in the FBO.

tm602

Or maybe learn something from. Guys like the poster you reference have taught me things that have saved my life more than once. Thicken your skin a little, the plane will kill you without saying a word. Well, maybe "Pull UP" but you are almost a goner by then anyway.
No offense, but the up and coming pilots of today seem to have baby soft tender emotions and a reluctance to take a little instruction from the guys who have been in the game longer than they have. Staying alive is more important than "having fun". There's definitely a requirement for the job to be enjoyable and fun, but that's not the first priority, and certainly not the main ingredient in a good pilot. What you should look for is the guy who shows you the ropes (even after you think you know it all) but still makes a pleasurable crewmate.

ZippyNH

Having spent 3000+ hours in cargo (and having gone to corporate for another 3000+ and now returning), I can say you will aquire skills and situational awareness that will make you a great pilot if you fly cargo.
Is it the fastest way to get to a seat I the majors?...maybe not..but a great way to lay a foundation for your future.
And you might find that the quality of life benefits of flying cargo, is a huge plus...others here might not agree, maybe it more of an attitude, but reality is, once you are a good pilot, the size of the plane is not as important as is the paycheck (yes, even after Sept 11 , I was kept busy in cargo, no layoff or furlough...) Or the QUALITY of time you get to spend with your family.
Sure the planes are older, smaller, and have more of an "old school" setup, but honestly, if you can safely fly a Metro or be-99, you can do many things.. Sometimes more than $$ matters.
Not all roads lead to a part 121 job...
Having flown bush, cargo and corporate, each has it pluses and minuses. The important thing is is to find what you like.
I personally prefer not having to get 2 meals a day at a food court at a airport.... similarly weekends off(usually) are great, as are half the day!!
Keep an open mind...
Getting to park within a few feet of my plane...then flying an Hour...them spending a night/afternoon in a hotel, then going home is IMO GREAT.

tm602

That's kind of what I was saying. ANyone who can survive cargo flying, especially in older planes, is worth listening to. bUt too many of the newer pilots coming up just roll their eyes because they think they already know it all.

DreFlyer

Well, most of them have known nothing but glass cockpits . . . there are fewer and fewer mom & pop schools with older trainers around and everyone wanting to fly for a living seems to get directed to the "zero to hero in no time" mills these days. I personally enjoyed flying the AMF Chieftains all over New Mexico, but at the same time I would like to fly a state-of-the-art airplane before I die, even if I have to endure the airline zoo experience

Once the Cessna SkyCourier comes online though, you betcha I'll be flying one of them while enjoying the cargo feeder schedule & QoL 'til I can no longer hold a medical!

Jetlife

Yea AMF will get the Skycourrier in 35 years when they are thrown away by everyone else, just like all the rest of their fleet types.

Javichu

Lol


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DreFlyer

you think they're going to be around that long?