Career trajectory advice
 

Hey everyone,
I have had my sights set on UPS since I started flying 6-7 years ago. I have about 2700 TT with about 1700 Turbine and 180 TPIC from a 135 job. I recently left my WO regional and started with atlas on the 747. Also, during covid when I was furloughed I worked at UPS as a package car driver so I have a UPS employee number. I was hoping I could receive some guidance on what steps I should take to be more competitive at UPS. Should I bid for 737 CA to get TPIC? Upgrade on 747 at atlas is over 5 years. I know only one person at UPS so I don’t have many LORs there. Does UPS host meet and greets or events that I could show my interest? Thanks ahead of time.

Yes, get the PIC. Previous employee will help in/after the interview, but as far as I can tell does not help in getting a call. What does help in getting a call is attending the conferences. WIA, OBAP, NGPA, etc. Keep at it, you're already in the unofficial UPS training department, it sounds like you're already going about it in a very intelligent manner. Good luck!

Definitely pursue the PIC time. While you wait for the opportunity to bid over to the 73, excel in your 74 training. Atlas is a significant source of pilots for UPS, so I think you are on the right path. The only possible hiccup I foresee is how long will it take to get 1000TPIC on the 73 at Atlas. I don’t know that answer and TPIC is a definite must for now. If the great pilot shortage actually arrives, you may sneak in with less, but fortune telling isn’t one of my skill sets.

TPIC is king..

I'm not sure how much block Southern 737 fly each year. If that comes before 767, I'd say do it but if you can get 767, that'd probably be mo'betta.

Being a former UPSer should help you when you become a qualified applicant. Good luck!

Concur with what tnkdrvr said. I just finished my year at Atlas and I start at UPS in a couple weeks, so I'm just a half step ahead of you. From what I've seen and heard from the plethora of pilots I've interacted with in the past 3 years trying to nail down this job, get that TPIC time.

The good news is that with Atlas fences down, you should have no problem bidding over to the 73 as the movement thrash begins. My guess is somewhere around a year, maybe even less. For reference, I blocked just over 500 in the 9 months of line flying I had there. So you'll keep busy. Update your bid preferences, then focus on flying the 74 well. That bid will pop-up before you know it. If you haven't heard of it, go to giantpilots.com. That will help you keep track of seniority progression, and they have a great bidding forecast tool. Until you get the call, start building awareness of the environment we all operate in, and understanding the CRM dynamics of long-haul multi-crews. It may sound simple, but if you intentionally burn in some good/bad memories from your time at Atlas, it will make your interviews elsewhere that much simpler. I learned a lot, which is all going to be applicable in my future in this freight world. Good luck, hang tough, and we'll see you at F Street.

Congrats! I’m guessing you had the TPIC before atlas or were military? I’m hearing the block times are increasing for the 73 but it could be a while. I will try to absorb as much as I can (of the good stuff).

Thanks for the advice everyone. I’ll adjust my bids today.

Being a Miami guy UPS is my ultimate goal. Currently also at Atlas with two years on the 76. NO TPIC. Also currently working on my degree. Has UPS hired anyone with less than a bachelor? I know TPIC is a must so waiting for # to be called to UPG. Any response would be greatly appreciated

UPS has hired pilots with no bachelors degree recently, but you are stacking the deck against yourself.

I know two hired in the last 5 years.. both had extensive experience with leadership roles at their previous carriers and one had family here… so.. can be done.. not the norm.

I don't think upgrade times at Atlas will stay at 5 years. 747 CA will be at least 10 years. And if you upgrade on the 737 or 767 it's going to be years before you come close to 1000 pic. Sorry to say, you should have stayed at the Regionals. I flew with lots of Atlas FO's that left Atlas for Regionals. Almost all of them are very happy and have garauntee flows. Atlas may seem like a great place but once on the inside with No PIC and No Degree, they have you handcuffed.