The general public still think that pilots who work for "cargo outfits" like UPS and FedEx are hoping to make it big in the majors one day and fly people. For whatever it is worth, on my last UPS jumpseat the FO was a RJ driver.
I've lost count of how many folks have ask me if I ever thought of becoming a "commercial" pilot or an "Airline" pilot. Whatever..doesn't even phase me anymore and besides, I don't want the pay cut. Just not important enough to me to even try to correct or educate them. Back in the day as a relative new hire 727 FE, not one of us was over the age of 30. Capt was 29, FO 28 and I was 26. We arrived at our destination and got on the hotel van with a Braniff crew already seated. The lead flight attendant was probably old enough to be our mother. After a few minutes this flt attendant pipes up and asked who we flew for and what puddle jumper we were flying around? My Capt told her UPS and a B727. She seemed a little perplexed as if she was wondering how these "kids" were allowed to operate a big jet around late at night.
She then wanted to know (because her boyfriend was working on his private license and would need a flying job) if UPS required a multi-engine and commercial rating to get hired (you know...we were just a freight outfit and all). The Captain in his best Forest Gump impersonation told her that he tried but couldn't ever pass that "dadgum" multiengine checkride without crashing and what's this "commercial" rating you speak of? I could see her Capt's reflection in the window as he was staring outside trying to contain his embarrassment and muffled laughter at her questions. As we got out of the van at the hotel the Braniff question leaned into my Capt and aplogized and said, "I'll educate her later and oh, BTW...is UPS hiring? I think he's flying here now.
One good thing about UPS is they hire a very diverse group of pilots. We have a good mix of civilian, military, corporate and bush misfits and we all pretty much seem to get along. Where else can you have an ex Blue Angel sitting next to an Alaskian Bush pilot or maybe an older SR71 or B58 pilot flying with a snot nose commuter kid. Great stories, great time. Can't honestly say someone's background makes them any better pilot than the guy sitting next to them. It's mostly an individual thing. Some folks are naturally better than others regardless of their background. Some have a love of aviation and are always learning and flying on their days off while others can't stand airplanes anymore and it's just a pay check.
I have to say that while I've had the great privilege to fly with some fantastic pilots of varying backgrounds, most of the consistently sharper ones have come from a Regional airline/commuter or night freight background. Maybe it's the type of flying we do and the procedures we use or the fact that many are younger and learn faster. IDK...just non scientific observation and polling on my part.
Why does UPS hire just military guys with heavy jet experience in one class and just Regional and Corporate guys in the next? Who knows? The needs of the company at the time I guess. I personally would not have a problem flying with someone with just relatively light turboprop experience (King Air, Metroliner etc..). If someone is sharp they'll learn and adapt pretty quick to the bigger jets. Hell, that was my background! I had NEVER flown a pure jet prior to UPS. I had NEVER been exposed to full motion simulators prior to UPS. My first time in a simulator was the interview at UPS! They gave me a chance when other majors did not. Since then I've been a Sim/IOE instructor on two different aircraft types here and I'm certainly no gift to aviation or the ace of the base by any stretch.
My point being in all this rambling is DO NOT consider yourself out of the race simply because you think no one will look at your resume because you don't have "Heavy Metal Driver" stamped on your license. Keep plugging along, be persistent and keep climbing that aviation ladder. The journey IS more rewarding than the destination. My best times in aviation, looking back because I didn't realize it then, were the stepping stones along the way to my current job. Believe it or not I almost quit several times along the way due to frustration. While jumpseating on a USAir flight when I was with Chautauqua (Metro capt) and feeling totally dejected about my future career prospects or lack thereof, the Capt on the flight gave me a great pep talk that fueled my fire and within a year UPS hired me. You just never know what's around the corner.....
