Im young and inexperienced, but have been browsing these forums for over 2 years now. I have come to the conclusion that the majority of Cargo pilots seem more or less happy, while passenger airline pilots are much more likely to be miserable and bitter. Corporate pilots seem to fall somewhere in between.

Obvously this is a broad generalization and I have no statistical data to back it up, but I definitely feel like this is somewhat true--atleast from all the information and commentary I have read from these forums. I know many will argue, and I'm sure each group has it's lovers and haters, but I have a feeling that on an average day, the mood in a freight cockpit is much more positive than in a passenger airline cockpit.

I always wanted to someday fly for a major passenger airline, but now I've decided that Id rather fly freight. I won't lie, I'm sure I will be a bit bummed knowing that I won't be walking through the airport terminal in a pilot's uniform with kids staring at me in awe, but I'm pretty sure that eog-trip wears off within a month anyway. I know that in this industry no one really knows what to expect 5-10 years down the road, but it seems to me that UPS/FEDEX pilots will still likely be doing a heck of a lot better than any passenger airline pilots.

What you really are saying is that the FedEx and UPS guys are happy. They have been spared the carnage at the majors with pay cuts, bankruptcies and over all cuts in quality of life.

Other cargo companies haven't faired as well. Ask an Astar or ABX pilot how life is going. Far different answer.

It depends on the company you fly for. There are pros and cons, good and bad, with the different carriers whether passenger or cargo. I am thrilled flying for Delta.

Grasshopper,

Don't be fooled...all of us, both cargo and pax, no matter how "safe" or relatively senior will always gravitate toward moaning, whining, complaining, or a general sense of malaise. While we're all flying, someone else isn't...they're opening presents, waterskiing, bouncing babies on their laps, or some other such endeavor. After all, we would like to be doing that too...and getting paid for it.

Not that there's anything wrong with it.

However, I'm VERY angry and pi$$ed off. I just do my b_tch!n' with a smile on my face. (That's a joke by the way...I'm only mildly bothered).

P.S.--Best of luck to you if you decide to come join us. Take care!

P.P.S.--As for that awe walking through the terminal and having the rock star feel, it isn't there. Now, those in the know, know to come slumming to the cargo pilots. I guess we're the current rock stars now. I mean, I feel as though I am! There's your ego trip right there...

Wildmanny

There's nothing quite like reaching top of climb and changing into your favorite bath robe and slippers until just prior to top of descent,...or so I've been told.
fbh

Ego. Next time you see a Captain standing at the curb of a terminal, wave a five dollar bill in the air and yell "Skycap, those are my bags!" Don't be surprised if he comes over to help.

Most of the pax guys have been through some very tough times lately. The top two cargo lines have not, but long ago and far away it was not always this way....and may not be again.

You wouldn't be happy either if your hourly pay went from the 318 dollar an hour to 180 as what happen to the top pay at DL and UAL. And this is 2003 numbers. No wonder there unhappy.

And the Cargo pilots THINK there doing great by default.

Only some do. I'm still under paid.
fbh

My fave is an unnamed MEM Capt who wears a bunny costume, powder blue, complete with cotton tail, cuffs and footies. With 4 stripes sewn on the shoulders. It's a true classic.

Some guys are just more fun to fly with than others...

Please tell me that the Bunny pilot is a female and flys a French made aircraft? If not, I really don't want to know the rest of the story.