First off, airlines are going under. It's the sketchiest career I've ever entered. So, screw that, I'm going cargo. I'm currently a CRJ FO with Mesa Airlines and would like to know the most sure-fire way of getting into UPS or FedEx, long term.

I have 2 years instructing experience, a summer of Alaska bush flying under my belt, and half-a-year in the CRJ200/900. I was debating whether I should stay here accruing jet time, or if I should switch over to Ameriflight (god knows it pays better) to get some cargo experience. Which is more valuable?

I will also be applying to the Alaska Air National Guard on Jan 15, 2007 for two reasons: get some military transport experience for my resume and get some military experience for the fun and variety of flying.

So for all those UPS/FedEx pilots out there, which path should I take to become a likely candidate for UPS/FedEx within around 6 years?

Thanks,

--Beebop

At least 1000 PIC turbine and personal recommendations are you're best bet. Having the military experience will set you apart, too. That's a good move. I don't think going to Amflight for the "cargo experience" is going to do anything for you but the PIC turbine is better time than right seat in an RJ.

Bee,

If I may add to de's posting. Networking has helped me in getting interviews. My story may be unique, but I think who I know has helped me as much as my ratings and hours.

It's rare to run into a crew from another airline where we don't have common acquaintances. Aviation is a fishbowl, and one of your student's from your CFI days may be the guy or gal writing a letter of rec. for you.

Isn't it always who you know?

More importantly.... "Who knows you!"

Past....

Oh, yeah....SUPT will be lots of fun.

KEEP YOUR CURRENT JOB!!!!!!! If you get the Guard SUPT slot you can accrue seniority at Mesa while you are on active duty for 2 years completing training. You can gain all the experience you need in the Guard. Once you are mission certified you could probably do well by flying half you Mesa line (in order to keep medical benefits) and getting 20 hours/month with the Guard. That would be a far superior QOL to what you have now. You'll have the best of both worlds; the Guard network and good paycheck, 121 experience and the network as well.

The only downside is the risk of being activated, but laws are in place to preserve your job at Mesa while flying full-time during an activation period.

All in all, an acceptable risk compared to the benefit that Lil J pointed out.

If you get a guard job then yes keep your civilian flying job as well. I recall a regional airline pilot washing out of upt back in my day so keep a back up. I know I wish I had kept my civilian job when I went to upt just for the senority issue.

I would not take a job to get "cargo" experience. However pic time is important, the larger the plane the better when considering civilian experience.

My main comment is to remember the world will be different in 6-10 years. 7 years ago UPS was a low tier airline and now it seems to be one of the darlings yet nothing much has changed. 10 years ago most folks would have chuckled if you said u where going to turn down United/Delta/AA etc and go sit on the FE seat at ups instead. By the time you have your quals and experience up who knows what the industry will look like.

Fly, learn, broaden your experience base, and enjoy the process.

Hey,

Here's my advice to you. Take it for what it's worth.
1. Just because "airlines are going under" doesn't mean that you're "going cargo." I think what you meant to say was you would prefer to work for a cargo carrying airline. A lot depends on what the cargo airlines think of you as both a person as well as a pilot.

2. Your 2 years instructing and your Alaskan bush flying are of virtually no significance to anyone, other than yourself, of course. All the airlines are concerned with your total flying time, PIC time, jet time, etc, etc. They don't care if you got that time flying checks at night or flying rubber dog sh!t out of Bombay in a the middle of a thunderstorm. They care about the type of time that they require of you to have before they will interview you.

3. If I were you and I was being interviewed by the Alaska Air National Guard, I'd probably not tell them that I've applied for their very competitive pilot training slot "for two reasons: to get some military transport experience for my resume and to get some military experience for the fun and variety of flying." Because if you do, you'll get your first taste of supersonic flight, when they throw your sorry ass out of their facility, at supersonic speed.

Sorry if I've come across rather abruptly, but your whole post offended my view of both professional cargo pilots as well as military pilots. And, having been both, I thought you'd like to know.