Cargo Pilot Life

Airline Pilot Questions & Answers
1

Hello, I am becoming a pilot, and was wondering if the cargo pilot life at places such at FedEx, UPS, and Atlas is suitable for a good family life? Do you have to go to the airlines for a good work life balance?

2

Shawn,

First off FedEx, UPS and Atlas ARE airlines. They just fly boxes not people. Now while EVERYTHING at the airlines is based on seniority and as yours improves, so does your quality of life. The difference passenger carriers can’t send you flying for 14 days straight, cargo carriers can.

Adam

3

I do understand that part, but do they give the option to bid schedules like the passenger airlines?

4

Shawn,

All airlines in the US work on a seniority system and all allow you to bid for a variety of schedules. That said, the available trips to bid for that cargo pilots fly will not generally be as family friendly (again gone more days, redeyes, etc) as passenger airlines.

Adam

5

Shawn,

Pilots for cargo airlines are gone every bit as much, if not more, than pilots for passenger airlines. I would plan on being gone about half the month for the rest of your career, regardless of who you work for.

Chris

6

Shawn,

Both Adam and Chris have answered your questions well, I recommend taking a look at a cargo pilot’s schedule; Kyle has been kind enough to share his as he is a B737 FO at Atlas, take a look:

Brady

7

Thank you very much for the responses. I appreciate the information. Are any of you aware of any of the passenger airlines that offer pension plans like FedEx and UPS do?

8

Shawn,

I do not think that any airline offers a pension plan anymore. Quite frankly, I do not want a pension as that is just a promise that can be robbed on the next trip through bankruptcy court. I will take a 401k with a decent company contribution any day.

Chris

9

Shawn,

Most cargo schedules are elongated time at work and then on the flip side elongated time at home. For example, 7 on 7 off or 14 on 14 off. So the time at home can be great for family life but you also have to get through the long chunks on the road too… typically passenger carey schedules are all 1,2,3 or 4 day trips.

Hannah