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Expectations of Cargo

What Does Life Flying For The Large Cargo Carriers Look Like?

 

Cargo companies typically have multiple types of aircraft that they operate so there are multiple options for different Qualities of Life (QoL) to chose from.  The big companies that are most known are FedEx and UPS but there are other great companies out there such as Atlas Air, ATI and more.  From hiring to day one, it could be 2-6 months depending on the backlog in training.

Training

Training is typically accomplished at a company training facility that takes a couple months to complete.  From hiring to day one, it could be 2-6 months depending on the backlog in training.  After training, you will bid initially for your ideal base and depending on the airline, what you are assigned could be determined a number of ways.  Some companies are known to use the last-4 of a pilot’s SSN or they could go by age, birthdates, by training performance, etc. to determine the ranking order for handing out base assignments and your initial seniority numbers.  It is likely that you may not get your first choice for your initial domicile, which may lead to commuting the first year until you gain seniority and are able to move.  NOTE: In the current market, pilots are receiving their preferred base much sooner after training.

Next, you will likely complete your Initial Operating Experience (IOE) which is a minimum number of hours, 25 or so, with a Line Check Airman (LCA).

Seasoning

After training, most companies work towards consolidation which is a FAA requirement of 100 hours of line operated flight time within the first 120 days (CFR 121.434).  Then for the remainder of the year you will be under a probationary period where you will have less job protections available to you because the company is evaluating and monitoring you.  Once you complete your first year, your job is essentially safe and you can begin to relax a little.

Reserve

After learning the aircraft initially, you can expect to be put on Reserve where you are essentially on standby to be called if needed.  During that time, you must remain in domicile where you are assigned, or very close to it, until that reserve schedule is completed.  The reserve schedule may last 7-10 days at a time and some kind of living accommodation (a crashpad or hotel) may be necessary if not living in domicile.  You could fly the majority of the time or you may be fortunate enough to not be called much (and still be paid), but these days, pilots sitting reserve are being utilized quite often.

Biding Your Schedule

When you are not sitting reserve and you don’t have a line yet, you will bid for the days you want to fly.  After the more senior pilots receive the bids they requested, you will get what is remaining for your schedule.  You may not receive your schedule until the last week of the month prior.  This can make it difficult to plan things more than a month out.

Relief Pilots

You could also be assigned as a relief pilot for a particularly long flight.  Flights that last 8 or more hours will typically have a relief pilot or two on board to augment the assigned crew that was scheduled to fly for extended hours.  You may jump on a single sortie, hop off at the destination and jump on another sorties as that crew’s relief pilot.  This position can be lonely at times because you are not really a part of the assigned crew, so once you land, you go your separate ways and you wait to jump on your next flight.

Being a Line Holder

The smaller narrow-body aircraft typically flies 2-4 day trips and some day out and backs each week, with potentially 1-week off a month.  The larger wide-body aircraft will typically fly 10-14 day trips internationally but then they may be finished flying for the month and only have to deal with the commute to work once a month.  Often times, you might be scheduled on a night line and your body clock can get all messed up.

Being a line holder means your schedule becomes more consistent, and you generally get more days off in the month.  You also may be able to trade with other pilots to free up days you would like to have off.

PROS

  • Typically some of the best company benefits in the industry.
  • Your time at home is typically in longer stretches.
  • The pay at some companies nearly doubles for year two.
  • Some companies still offer a retirement plan (pension) on top of a great 401K plan.
  • Greater chance of flying a Wide Body/International aircraft meaning more money made.
  • You typically carry boxes and boxes don’t complain. There are also no flight attendants to worry about.
  • You generally bypass TSA and fly out of the cargo ramps at most airports, avoiding the airport terminals and all the people.
  • If only commuting to work flying once a month, then living outside of domicile is very manageable.
  • You will get to fly all over the world if flying internationally.
  • The top end companies put you up in 5-star hotels, give you cushy transportation to and from the hotels and if deadheading, you typically will fly in business or first class.
  • Some companies provide sleeping facilities for crews to nap between flights or for use before or after their flights.

CONS

  • Potentially a lot of flying at night that can really mess up your internal clock and pilots are thought to age faster when they fly consistently like this.
  • You probably will fly to the same locations over and over again.
  • You may never fly with the same crew twice, meaning you are always going through the same conversations every flight.
  • You may be away from home for longer periods consecutively.
  • If you don’t live in domicile, you may need to budget for a crashpad.
  • Not all companies allow you to collect hotel points in your travels.
  • You are potentially gone often (typically 15+ days a month which often adds up to half the year or more away from home.
  • Reserve is a hard life unless you live in domicile.