airline pilot vs cargo pilot?

M

Mkizz

New Member
hey guys, new to the forum and the whole pilot world. Im 19 years old dreaming to be a pilot one day. I just had some question that was on my head.
What are the differnces between Commercial Airline Pilots and Cargo pilots like UPS or FedEx guys? Well yeah I know like who and what they transport are different but like..pay wise and stuff. Or do both type of pilots gets the same pay?

Im interested in becoming a pilot, but Im not sure if I can handle the pressure of having those peoples life within my hands on a commercial airline route.
I think I may be more interested in a cargo pilot.
 
Having flown both people and boxes for many years, I can tell you I did enjoy boxes more than people, as we used to say, "Boxes don't Bitch". And right now, Fed Ex and UPS actually Pay better too! But to answer your question, to fly for either a cargo outfit or people outfit requires the same licensing, so there is no difference, and the only "Life" I care about having in my hands is my own.

If I live through the flight, chances are all the people in the back will too...
 
Cargo pilots are paid better.

They typically fly on the backside of the clock more.

Other than that, it's mot much difference.
 
I always considered the folks in the back along for the ride... I did provide them as smooth a ride as I could, when it fit within safety and efficiency.

I will tell you that I want to make it safely every bit as much now, as I did when I was responsible for my little airliner.

You should do a thread search on this issue and find the wisdom in the archives.

My first night here, i read archives all night and really got an idea about the entire industry from the perspective of people involved.

Enjoy!
 
USMCmech said:
Cargo pilots are paid better.
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Currently they are (some of them are...), but remember that for decades previously they weren't.

As a 19 year old neophyte, it's still many years before the OP is going to choose which path he would like to take. A lot can change, and the fact that FedEx and UPS pay better than many of the pax airlines today doesn't mean that's going to be true when the OP is ready to make that leap.

Remember, also, that there are plenty of ACMI cargo haulers (Polar/Atlas, DHL, etc) that aren't on the leading edge of pilot pay. FedEx and UPS are not what I'd call typical of the cargo airlines.
 
Mkizz said:
hey guys, new to the forum and the whole pilot world. Im 19 years old dreaming to be a pilot one day. I just had some question that was on my head.
What are the differnces between Commercial Airline Pilots and Cargo pilots like UPS or FedEx guys? Well yeah I know like who and what they transport are different but like..pay wise and stuff. Or do both type of pilots gets the same pay?

Im interested in becoming a pilot, but Im not sure if I can handle the pressure of having those peoples life within my hands on a commercial airline route.
I think I may be more interested in a cargo pilot.
Click to expand...

As Bumblebee said, do a bunch of reading. The perspectives are a great place to start on the homepage. Many different types of pilots have contributed, all are great reads and very informative to boot.

Just from personal experience, not much, but I had a similar question before I started flying. If you have not already, go take an intro flight and if you like it, begin working on your PPL. Worrying about if you will fly for UPS or Delta at this point is like thinking if you would rather play for the Sharks or the Flyers before ever lacing up a pair of hockey skates.

It is a long fun journey, along the way you will learn a great deal about yourself, your desires and motivations. What you think you want today I can almost guarantee will change by the time you get your commercial rating.

Best of luck and have fun!
 
Matt13C said:
It is a long fun journey, along the way you will learn a great deal about yourself, your desires and motivations. What you think you want today I can almost guarantee will change by the time you get your commercial rating.

Best of luck and have fun!
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This is truly the most important and sage advice.
 
hm thanks guys for all your replys. But anybody know how much the cargo pilots earn yearly? just estimate guess even. Also is it a same route I will be taking as if I was going to airliner route during the process of training, but just will be applying for like fedex or ups?
 
Mkizz said:
hm thanks guys for all your replys. But anybody know how much the cargo pilots earn yearly? just estimate guess even. Also is it a same route I will be taking as if I was going to airliner route during the process of training, but just will be applying for like fedex or ups?
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I would honestly get the idea of fedex or ups out of your head as cargo.

they are more or less the Major cargo carriers and you'd be lucky to work for them in your lifetime.

with that said, it's all the same training.

as far as estimate goes, freight pilots can make in the 6 figures. but more or less you'll be below 70,000 for a good long while.


the general conception that pilots make bank is ridiculous. sure a 777 Captain makes 150k+ but how long did he make much less, and how little time is he actually gonna make that 150k+?
 
Mkizz said:
hm thanks guys for all your replys. But anybody know how much the cargo pilots earn yearly?
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You're talking about such a wide variety of salaries that it's impossible to give a "ballpark" figure.

Even if you just specify one company, the salaries from the bottom of the pay scale differ significantly from those at the top.

If you want to get a rough idea, go over to Airline Pilot Central's pages that have pay summaries for many different cargo haulers. There is also a nice handy calculator that you can use to approximate yearly base pay.

http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/cargo.htmlhttp://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines/cargo.html
 
elmetal said:
I would honestly get the idea of fedex or ups out of your head as cargo.
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don't ever get anything out of your head as far as your dreams...
here's the deal, prepare for realities, and give it your all to get where you want to be.

Be a person others want to be around, be positive, and become well rounded. Gain experience in things other than aviation, while becoming a professional aviator.

Realize that aviation is a VERY SMALL community and that people have long memories.

If you don't know something, or make an honest mistake, admit it.

It doesn't just fall in your lap, but with the right attitude and perseverance you can carve out an enjoyable and relatively lucrative career.

You would probably make more money as a plumber, but the view is better from my office.... and you could have a similar office, if you want it bad enough.
 
Major cargo airlines and major passenger airlines pay about the same. There are variations but, they are in the same ballpark. The key word here that you need to understand is AIRLINE. Both cargo and passenger are both considered airlines and fall under the exact same rules. As far as pilots are concerned there is virtually no difference. What is behind the cockpit door is immaterial.
 
Before you worry about what it will pay, figure out how you are going to pay for flying lessons and build 1,500 hours of flying time!

You are jumping to "the end" before you have thought about the beginning and middle.
 
Which one prefers military? I remember reading a post some time back that either Fed Ex or UPS favor hiring military jet time.
 
I think most of the majors prefer military jet time.

Hell, for a period of time, if you flew P3's in the Navy and was an Auburn grad, Southernjets would send a limo by your house to pick you up for an interview whether you applied or not! ;)






(Well, figuratively speaking)
 
Doug Taylor said:
I think most of the majors prefer military jet time.

Hell, for a period of time, if you flew P3's in the Navy and was an Auburn grad, Southernjets would send a limo by your house to pick you up for an interview whether you applied or not! ;)






(Well, figuratively speaking)
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Minus an internal recommendation. I have always been curious if an F-15 pilot has a better chance than the single engine F-16 pilot.
 
Pay is all over the place in both pax and cargo. If you are doing it for the money alone you will not last long enough to make it too descent pay. I never made above 50k for the first 7 years of my career and 6 of those years were in the mid 20's and I flew both pax and boxes during that time. After 11 years in the Biz and finally making it to the left seat I am finally making reasonable money.
 
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