bblack88

I am curious which is the better route? Going and getting your CFI to instruct of finding a feeder freight company and getting a job with them? I have heard some arguments for both sides, but I am just curious which is the smarter, more realistic, and easier path. Thanks.

Luv2Rotate

In order to get on with a 135 freight company aka feeder freight company such as AMF, flight express or Keylime, you need to meet 135 IFR mins. If you don't have it, then I'd suggest CFI'ing until you do.

bblack88

Got ya, I should have known that. I have been wanting to send you a PM about your other post bout that right seat possibility but I dont quite have enough posts, im too new at this! But im very interested and would like to talk to you more about it!

MiGBoy

Remember, the easy route is not always the best route. I left a job in St. Croix in the USVI, to return to the states and fly passenger and cargo charter in a CE-208 and PC-12, because the IFR time, single pilot PIC Turbine, and more applicable experience was a better step. I miss the Caribbean, but the career step is important.

If I were you, I would CFI until I had part-135 mins, and then try to get on with a cargo operator to build time as soon as possible. The TYPE of flying, the EXPERIENCE you will get, and the VARIETY of situations and decision making skills you will build are paramount.

One of the top check airmen at SWA is a great friend of mine, and I took the Part-135 job back in the states and left the Caribbean because he agreed.

Just my ten cents, good luck!

detpilot

I agree with migboy (which i rarely do in person, lol!)... I CFI'd to 1400 hours, to be lucky enough to get a 135 job... Good luck, and please don't look for the easy way out. Anything worth having is worth working for!

snippercr

In days of old, you could sometimes find a cargo feeder that had 2 person crews so you could get on as an SIC and build to 1200 (And dont forget 500 XC!) and then hop over. However, most places either got rid of their SIC programs and you need at least 135 IFR mins. Thats what I am doing right now and hopefully one day fly some light twins.

MiGBoy

Aww your so cute ;-) Love ya B!

cvltdriver84

I agree the only realistic route right now is going somewhere to build some hours. CFI... great choice. With the CFI route you can build yourself up till you become the company go to guy and start flying all those multi-engine students. That would look great on your app. However if at any second you meet someone that will put you into cargo. Take It!

Make a business plan starting with what you would like to have before you go knocking on doors for a cargo job. Make a set of must obtain goals and a time frame. And in my case a budget for each goal. Most obvious one is going to be getting your Part 135 minimums hrs. Then figure out where you want to see yourself... Part 135 Charter (Airnet, Ameriflight, GtA Air). There are some really great part 121 Cargo places that hire with low time too. Once you narrow it down to like three start learning as much as you can about these companies and trying to meet some folks that work or have worked there. You would be surprised to find out how many friends of your friends have worked at all these cool places. These friends might not even be at the airport. Could be your friends mom who know a guy. It's crazy but it is what you have to do until you start getting lucky.

Fly the course as best you can. Try getting more IFR students so you can have a high actual instrument time logged for your resume. I use to do night IFR flights so I could get my 135 minimums for night and IFR at the same time. These little things helped out a lot.

Ok I think I wore myself out on this post but yeah... thats my two cents. Have fun. Fly safe. Make some new friends!

(p.s.) A friend of mine was driving a pilot back to his hotel from the airport the other night. Telling the "random" pilot about his low total time and how unfortunate it was that he couldn't log his recent 170 hrs of MU-2 time and such. Over the course of the ride they hit it off pretty well. The next day he went to pick the pilot up when the pilot stopped him and said here is my business card. It said "President" on it. This pilot now known as President for the company requested that he get him a copy of his resume and they talk to see if he can't help my friend out with a job. He just seems to have taken a liking.

rickair7777

If you have the option of 135 (possibly starting as an SIC which does not require 1200 hours), that might be a good move if that company has twins and turbine powered airplanes. That way you won't have to fight to find MEI work later on, and turbine time always looks good.

ME time is likely to be a major hiring discriminator for the airlines going forward.

blade120

i would find a 141 school teach unitllyou have 2000 hrs and 500 multi, until you have this you probably wont get hired. you will also make more money teaching.