Transitioning from B757 to A300
 

Dear Colleagues,

I am currently FO for a major freight operator in Europe, and given the potential opportunity to either stay on the B757 or transition to the A300.

I didn't build much hours so far on the 757, due to the network we currently have, so was considering to keep flying it. However the A300 is also attractive as a new type to learn, and a different network. I was wondering if colleagues at UPS that evolved that way, or flew both types, would be able to give their opinion, regarding the airplane itself, and the benefits / offset it can bring for future development?

Thanks a lot and happy landings!

The A300 jumpseats are 1000% better. If that's a factor.

The balcony Jumpseat in the 75 is a special treat. Like riding on the captains shoulders.

"Deer stand"

Boeing guys will tell you the A300 is slow....and by comparison, it is (a whole 0.02M).

Some of the biggest benefits of the Bus are:

1. Cockpit size
2. Supernumerary
3. 4 of 5 jumpseats in the supernumerary
4. Loo in the supernumerary
5. The sheer amount of bag storage in the supernumerary
6. Did I mention the supernumerary?

I hear the 757 flies like a sports car, the Bus doesn't but it isn't a Mack truck either. The 757 lands more consistently smooth than the A300 (A300 has a stubby wing and stiff main gear). The 757 has better altitude capability than the A300, again due to wing, though the A300 climbs pretty decently to the low 30s. The 757 probably rides turbulence better than the Bus, again due to the wing. Our Busses also have Honewell Epic which IMO is a better mousetrap than the Collins LDS. A300 has brake fans, which means we see our fair share of short runways.

An A310 type rating is pretty useless in 2026, but in all I've been happy flying the plane and if the way it is utilized suits your desires, go for it.

All these airplanes are equally boring. Pick the one that best suits your lifestyle I.e. commute or not, destinations,etc

Personally, I’d look at it from the framework of what advances my career towards my goals best. I can’t speak for any of that at your company.

From a purely piloting perspective, the A300s at your company will have antiquated avionics and FMS. The 75 will have almost as bad an avionics suite. UPS has updated both jets over the past 5-7 years and so we fly behind very different panels than you will. The A300 freighter definitely has a more comfortable cockpit layout than the 75 freighter. Better galley, better jump seats, better everything. The 75 has a better wing if greasing every landing is essential to you. At the end of the day your job is to sit at the pointy end of an aluminum tube for money. Pick the tube that best meets your needs/wants.

If you like deicing in July, diving into the greasy, dirty, dripping e&e compartment on preflight, a main cargo door that blows the slide if u open it wrong, crew members that are afraid of there own shadows on Mexican layovers, and ECAM……..you def should bid over to the A300😁😁

We have Mexican layovers?!?

Thanks a lot for the inputs. Sounds like a various amount of opinions out there :).

The avionics on the 75 is the FPDS, so quite ok even if the VSI is very annoyingly located and not in the background of the altitude tape.

The A300 has some mix of old CRT avionics and modern FMC apparently.

Would transitioning to a widebody airplane bring anything positive? Also the rating 75/76 is clearly more useful.

Yeah the Bus is more comfortable truely... Anyway, I guess nothing really points to a better or worse case, as some said, roster, conditions... are what prevails.

How is technically the A300 in terms of learning curve, and procedure wise? I have heard hairy stories about the way abnormals and emergencies are treated. How is hand flying, any huge difference between both?

Thanks and happy landings!

I sense troll vibes. Experienced pilots don’t ask these questions.

Troll vibes? I never flew widebody so what is exactly the troll part in my question? Or maybe you actually are one of those guys that knows everything from the sefond you were born?

Unless you like long term training, get on the plane you are most likely to upgrade on down the road. Its also better to have right seat time before upgrade (for those who just like to argue, I said better, not necessary). Choose based on schedule, QOL, commutability, etc., not “flying the 74 would be cool and boost the ego.”

But it is cool, and it does boost the ego.

Well, OP does say they’re from Europe and they haven’t flown very much...

Well…

If he really is that new to flying staying on his current airframe and focusing on general experience and airmanship would be my recommendation.

Some errors in translation it looks like.
I’ll try and answer for a European perspective.
Aviation tends to be very siloed, once you’re on a Boeing or an Airbus you tend to stay on it for the majority of your career as job opportunities generally require a type rating of either manufacturer.
So in the big scheme of things, if you can switch to an Airbus type without cost to you then take it.
Future employment opportunities in/outside of Europe may depend on it.
Go for the A…

How does it boost your ego? Do you need to buy larger, roomier boxers after flying it?

Yes and my watch grows two sizes.

Don’t forget a 4th bag full of espresso machine and bean grinder parts. The 3rd bag was for their special pillow.

The 757 looks like a sports car, flies like sport….utility vehicle. A big American made SUV, not the sporty European ones.

Thanks a lot everybody for your contributions!

Indeed European philosophy of aviation and situation is specific and to talk subjectively, pretty poor in terms of variety and opportunities.

Despite having a lot of experience in turboprops and with aerial work around the world (humanitarian in Africa, pistons around Europe, some hobby aviation in Australia, etc...) that led me to unfreeze my ATPL quite early while joining the airline cargo world (was missing night hours), there was no consideration of that experience anywhere at anytime while joining an airline.

We fly very low hours and career opportunities are slim to nome. That's why a type change is a big thing for us I guess...

I will most probably follow the path that brings better opportunities with the upgrade. The hesitation also came from the fact that widebody experience can be useful indeed. Something for something I guess, no good or bad choice.

I wish everybody a Merry Christmas and happy time with your ones!

Sorry for thinking you were a troll. The embarrassment is made worse by being a EU guy myself. Shows how out of touch I am with the old world.

Merry Christmas.

Hey no worries, I understand the question might raise some doubts.
I am anyway affraid that nothing will really bring us anywhere better in the near future in Europe, the situation even in cargo is not the brightest. That's why I think the choice is important to avoid taking the worst of any option given.
Anyway Happy New Year again and thanks for the contributions!