UPSfeeder94

Hello, my name is Javier and I'm a 23 year old full time Feeder driver in the DFW, Texas area. I'm a hard working, determined man and am wanting to rise up in the ranks as a UPS employee. I've done many things during my 3 year career with the company mainly becoming a feeder driver at 21 and going out on multiple sleeper runs at such a young age.

I want to become a Pilot for UPS but I'm not sure on what to do and how to start out.

Are there certain schools or degrees to take that will help me gain flight experience?

Do I need military experience and if so is it a necessity?

What is the best Aviation school in the DFW area?

I know this will take a long time to accomplish especially with my job but I'm excited and ready to take on this new challenge in my life!

PotatoChip

Look into Ameriflight....

Taildragger46

I would back up his statement. Start off by getting your ratings as fast as your bank account allows it. This will put you into the job market quick and allow you to start recovering your investment. Look at schools like atpflightschool.com they have a 9month program starting at $66k with financing available. They can employ you afterwards and get you an instructor job where you can continue to build time until you can go and work at a place like Ameriflight. I see posts from Ameriflight all the time they are desperate for pilots just like everywhere else. Maybe ATP will lead you to a job at a regional where you can also build turbine time and probably upgrade quickly and start building Turbine PIC. These would both be good places to start building some solid experience. Keep your options open. Dont be afraid to try other avenues. As you develop as a pilot you may find that maybe a different kind of flying suits you or your family better but regardless of the path you choose you will have options after having your ratings and some experience under your belt.

I have held jobs in many different sectors of aviation (as a pilot) and I have learned something unique from each experience. After all I've done I am now looking at a career with UPS. Get a college degree if you dont already have one that will help open a lot of doors later as you seek employment with the major companies such as UPS.

Feel free to PM me with any questions I have helped many people get from zero hours to making a good living as pilots. My experiences have led me to have contacts in every sector of aviation and I will be happy to help out in any way I can. Its a great time to get into this career.

Best of luck!

BrownDoubles

If you don't have a college degree I would laterally do that while you work on your ratings. I would strongly advise you to do some research on the new UPS internship program and work in that direction, it seems like a great program to fast track your way into the right seat of a UPS bird. It is extremely competitive but if it works as advertised an absolute lottery ticket.

Globemaster2827

If you want to go the Military route go Air National Guard. There's a C-130 unit in Fort Worth. San Antonio has a Reserve C-5 squadron which would be even better if you could stand the commute. They promote from within as well. I'd recommend doing the 1 weekend a month thing to help with your college bills but you need to be going ALL OUT on this tomorrow if you're going to make it happen because on the Mil side you're already starting to get a little old.

When you're done with your Mil training take a job at Atlas and get a 767 or 747 type... Lately UPS loves a diversified resume like that. If you were to get 1000 PIC with the military or Atlas you'd be scooped up quick.

You're talking about a 5-10 year plan at UPS given what the average Interviewee looks like. Remember that it's not a sprint. It's a marathon!

UPSfeeder94

Thanks everyone for the information! I love my job as a feeder driver but it looks like there's a lot of work to be done. I work about 9-10 hours a day so I have some room to go part time if whatever is needed to accomplish my goals. Or is this something where I would have to quit my job?

UPSfeeder94

What is a good degree to persuade in the aviation field?

jdebrey

I'm at the University of North Dakota, It's one of the best aviation university's in the country.

To be Honest get something other than an aviation degree because if your medical gets taken way you are screwed.


If you do end up getting a degree like (commercial fixed wing) make sure you get a double major.

These are just my opinions though. Good luck bud. Hope to see you in the air sometime.

UPSfeeder94

How does the reserve work? Would I be stationed there for a certain amount of time or is it something that I go every weekend?

Globemaster2827

Reserve and Air National Guard anchor you to a unit unless you want to switch. If they don't offer you a pilot slot when you've got your degree and some flying under your belt then you can just get out and pursue the regionals (or Atlas... ABX... Kalitta... etc). They'll have still paid for your degree. DO NOT GO ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY.... Under any circumstances. You'll turn around be 30 and will have accomplished nothing toward your goal.