Hey, i have a question regarding cargo pilots. can you get hired for a cargo airline like FedEx, UPS, Atlas, e.t.c with 1500 hours minimum requirement and the other requirements from the specific carrier? And how is a cargo pilot life compared to airline passenger pilot life?
Thanks, God bless!
Akshar,
There’s a very common misconception that cargo airlines are lower in status than passenger airlines. While Atlas isn’t quite in the same class as FedEx and UPS, all 3 are Major airlines and all 3 require more experience and flight time than the Regionals. In short no, you won’t be getting hired there with just 1500hrs.
As for the differences, the biggest is much of the flying is done “backside of the clock” meaning there’s alot of overnight flying as most cargo needs to get where it’s going first thing in the am. Atlas pilots can also be gone up to 18 days straight.
Adam
Got it, so basically build up time with a regional and then a major after experience gained?
Thanks Adam
Yup
Adam
Akshar,
Atlas has the lowest hiring mins. I believe it’s only 500 turbine time… while FedEx requires a minimum of 500 hours turbine PIC time.
Regardless you’ll have to spend time at a regional or LCC. You can build 500 hours rather quickly and make the jump. If you want to go to a FedEx or UPS cargo carrier, that’s going to take the minimum 1000 121 time to upgrade to captain and then another 500 hours to get the turbine PIC time.
Hannah