trackpilot

So during my interview they drilled and drilled and drilled into me about the night flying and how I'm going to deal with it etc etc etc...
But really... How bad is it? Honestly?
Every UPS jumpseater that I've had has been super friendly and has never said a negative thing towards me about UPS. I've obviously never done that type of flying, coming from the regionals, but I figure if so many other people can do it then I can do it too. I did work nights when I was on the ship in the Navy. But that was different.
Also if you have any more advice for a potential new hire it's much appreciated!

Aryan

Bid day trips if you don't like flying at night. I'll take flying at night vs. flying during the day. Too lazy to navigate or fly SIDS or STARS. Like going direct to the airport and being number one on the visual.

UPSFO4LIFE

Everyone handles night differently, but I can say most don't like it. Oh sure, you might be get some day trips eventually, but hope you live in base as they work typically 3 out 4 weeks in a pay period.

CactusCrew

Says someone that must not fly international.

A potential new hire will have little if any schedule choice initially.

BUT ... with seniority, there is great flexibility and much variety in the type of flying available at UPS.

Flying at night is just one of the challenges this job can present, do not let their questions deter you.

Aryan

So tough flying CAE-SDF for under an hour and getting 4 hrs sleep in a private sleep room and then going back to CAE. Getting direct the airport upon initial contact with center, a discretionary descent and straight in visual to RWY11 with rollout to the end and turnoff into parking. In bed at the hotel while it's still dark. Yeah, it's a tough job.

BoilerUP

I was never a "night person", but rather an "early bird" - I adapted just fine.

But it can definitely be hard at first.

I personally found it difficult to day sleep in many cases around the domestic system, only getting maybe 4 hours of sleep the first day, 4-6hr the two days after that, then generally the fourth day crashing out and getting 7-8hr from sheer fatigue. I also found falling asleep in the sleep rooms while sitting the sort hard to do (they are warmer than I prefer, and outside rooms have too damn much horn honking).

After a couple months online, I could sleep easier during they day and a bit better in sleep rooms.

I found making myself run every day kept me healthy, allowed me to sleep better at the end of a duty period, and the endorphins helped me "feel better" while working.

1. Sleep whenever you are tired
2. Eat as healthy as possible
3. Exercise!
4. Drink lots of water
5. Melatonin if needed

Just one guy's opinion...

767pilot

For one thing, at night you don't have people yelling "guard" on 121.5 every 6 minutes. You can get used to anything. Personal advice would be to bid international.

Sleep until you're hungry, eat until you're tired.

Airbum

I for one find it hard after doing it for over two decades. I wonder what trips some folks talk about when saying they bid days only.

I've said it before. Jumpseat around with UPS for a week if you can. It will tell you what you want to know.

trackpilot

Thanks for the advice everyone. The sleep rooms sound like they would be perfect to get you through the night, if you have enough time for a nap i guess.

So if you had to do it all over again would you still go with UPS or would you rather fly for someone like American?

FTFF

Bro, it's all about pros and cons and what's best for you. Brown, Purple, AA, Dal, and so on are all good places to find yourself. Way better than most other jobs in this industry, worldwide. Though they all are a little different, the overall pay, QOL, etc., isn't going to be a massive change going from one to the next. The notable exception is night flying with Brown and Purple. See next post.