Fedex feeder?

Pilot86

Pilot86

Well-Known Member
Hello,

For the guys that have flown for a fedex feeder.. mountain air, empire, west air..etc, what is the qaulity of life like for the pilot? Can you make a comfortable living doing this work? I do not really have an interest in the airlines so this would be more on a career idea or flying cargo for a living.

Thank you
Daniel
 
I worked for Wiggins which is the Feeder for the North East. It was a fantastic job! Typical schedule is show up after dinner, fly one or 2 legs overnight in a hotel, then do it in reverse in the morning. Schedule is mostly M-F or M-Sa and most bank holidays off. There are other run the have different schedules but the above is fairly typical.

Pay is pretty decent, each operator pays a little different but you can expect around $35K your first year. The Caravan is fun to fly as well, FedEx is in the middle of upgrading all the Vans to Garmin G-600's and TKS deice systems, as well as buying new Caravans.

The only reason I left was for Career advancement, and something that was better suited for me.
 
Sure, can make a decent living depending where you're geographically located. As far as a career, I'm not sure about that. Give it some time, I'm willing to wager that once you've been in the business a while, you'll be looking for the next step to progress your career.
 
I've enjoyed Corporate Air so far. Working with FedEx and their level of professionalism really makes the job easier. Our bases (HNL, GFK, SLC, and others) are typically leaving the Hub in AM, spend 8 or so hours out at a hotel, then return. HNL is an oddball because we fulfill USPS contracts in the Caravans as well as the FX side. Pay scale is on track, $35k +/- to start in a Caravan. All ours have G600s and mainland birds have the TKS system which has been working well in the Dakotas given the winter they have had.
 
MNFlyboy said:
I've enjoyed Corporate Air so far. Working with FedEx and their level of professionalism really makes the job easier. Our bases (HNL, GFK, SLC, and others) are typically leaving the Hub in AM, spend 8 or so hours out at a hotel, then return. HNL is an oddball because we fulfill USPS contracts in the Caravans as well as the FX side. Pay scale is on track, $35k +/- to start in a Caravan. All ours have G600s and mainland birds have the TKS system which has been working well in the Dakotas given the winter they have had.
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that sounds fantastic. sounds like about 12 or so hours duty time 5 times a week yeah?
 
MNFlyboy said:
I've enjoyed Corporate Air so far. Working with FedEx and their level of professionalism really makes the job easier. Our bases (HNL, GFK, SLC, and others) are typically leaving the Hub in AM, spend 8 or so hours out at a hotel, then return. HNL is an oddball because we fulfill USPS contracts in the Caravans as well as the FX side. Pay scale is on track, $35k +/- to start in a Caravan. All ours have G600s and mainland birds have the TKS system which has been working well in the Dakotas given the winter they have had.
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How do you like the 600? We've got them in our King Airs and Commanders. I love it. Especially compared to the EFIS crap from 1920 that I saw in the sim.
 
The G-600 is amazing, super easy to use. If you know how to work a 430/530 then the rest is cake. Syn Vision is really neat, and Safe Taxi is really really helpful especially around bigger airports.
 
Most of the pilots here at West Air have made it their "career" and have been here 10-15 years, and there are a few 20+. And believe it or not this is California AND they have families! *gasp!*
So yes, you CAN make it a successful career AND be happy. Will you ever upgrade to a shiny jet? No. Will you ever make make six figures? No. Is it for everyone? No. Like everything else in life, it's all about what you want, and what YOU make of it. It's just another aspect of aviation; no worse or better than the airline pilot or the career CFI. If it's what you want, GO FOR IT!
 
Ok, as far as using ATP to finish flight training..I am a PP 221 TT with tailwheel endorsement...??? suugestions?
 
Pilot86 said:
Ok, as far as using ATP to finish flight training..I am a PP 221 TT with tailwheel endorsement...??? suugestions?
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With your level of time, you'd waste your money. Go to a local FBO, get your commercials and your Cf's, and start instructing. You'll still meed another 1000 hours to meet the minimums, plus some more to be competitive.

P.S., I went to ATP. Great school if you start from zero, or nearly so. Not so much with your hour count.
 
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