In another thread some people asked me about my career progression. In other words, how I went from student at ATP to F/O at UPS. I know that this may not interest everyone, but when I was a student I liked to hear success stories, so here it goes....
First of all, I am a career changer. I was in a family owned business right up until I went to ATP in the year 2000 at the age of 29. So, for you career changers, it can be done. I also took a HUGE hit in pay to do it, so again, for those that have that concern....someone else has done it. With that all said.....
1997: Got my private at the local airport, just for fun. I had told EVERYONE I was getting it, or else I would have quit...I hated it at first. Anyway, ended up getting over all my fears and anxieties and went on to enjoy it. Passed my private right at 40 hours. For the next couple of years my flying consisted of mostly touch and goes and the occasional pleasure flight after work in an airplane I had bought myself.
2000: Had opportunity to sell out of family business and took it. Decided to become a professional pilot. Enrolled at ATP Jax in April of 2000. Finished the program in almost exactly 90 days, had a great time, met some great people (many of whom are still friends today), and generally enjoyed the heck out of it. Was hired as an instructor and began anwering phones immediately. Did that for less than a month and began instructing in Jax. Worked my butt off instructing. I did mostly the ATP add-ons and such. Never did Career Pilots. I also was the instructor that flew with the instructors in the office to get them ready for their Jim rides (although, now I believe they are Rich rides).
By December I was interviewing at the regionals. I was hired by both Trans States and Continental Express. Total time was 500 or so hours, of which, over 400 was multi. Turned down interviews at PSA and American Eagle. Took the COEX job.
2001: Started COEX in Feb. Hired onto the ATR. When I was hired they told us that we would be Captains in 9 months....didnt happen. We all know what took place in Spetember of that year. I held onto my job until December. Was in the last group of pilots furloughed. I dont know if anyone remembers, but in 2001-2002, you couldn't get a job washing an airplane, much less flying one. Especially since I was furloughed with about 800 hours TT. It was rough. I called ATP and talked with Jim. They were in the process of opening up BWG location. Just so happened I lived an hour from there. They hired me back and let me instruct there!
2002: Instructed at ATP Bwg. Had a great time. The people there are awesome. Great DE. Waited on COEX to call me back. That dragged on. Finally, Jim called me and said "fax me your resume", so I did (you ALWAYS do what Jim tell you to do..lol). 2 days later I had an interview with Chautauqua and an interview packet for ASA (at the time 2 of the only 3 airlines that were hiring...the other was Comair, but I didn't have the required number of moon landings they were looking for). ATP offered to fly me in their King Air (pre Citation days) to my interview, but I drove. Got hired at Chautauqua (didn't go to ASA interview) and started as an EMB-145 f/o their in November.
2003-2006: Flew at CHQ. Upgraded to Capt. in about 18 months. Was based in STL for most of my f/o time and went to the SDF base when they opened it. Upgraded in SDF. Had a GREAT time. That is an awesome place to work. Many of my best friends came from there.
2006: Went to a career fair in DFW, met and spoke with many UPS people. I had always wanted to work there. Got an interview a few days later. Was successful at that and started in October.
Well that is pretty much it. If you have any questions, please ask them here.
Good luck! For those of you that decided on ATP...you made the right decision.
Kryder
UPS F/O
First of all, I am a career changer. I was in a family owned business right up until I went to ATP in the year 2000 at the age of 29. So, for you career changers, it can be done. I also took a HUGE hit in pay to do it, so again, for those that have that concern....someone else has done it. With that all said.....
1997: Got my private at the local airport, just for fun. I had told EVERYONE I was getting it, or else I would have quit...I hated it at first. Anyway, ended up getting over all my fears and anxieties and went on to enjoy it. Passed my private right at 40 hours. For the next couple of years my flying consisted of mostly touch and goes and the occasional pleasure flight after work in an airplane I had bought myself.
2000: Had opportunity to sell out of family business and took it. Decided to become a professional pilot. Enrolled at ATP Jax in April of 2000. Finished the program in almost exactly 90 days, had a great time, met some great people (many of whom are still friends today), and generally enjoyed the heck out of it. Was hired as an instructor and began anwering phones immediately. Did that for less than a month and began instructing in Jax. Worked my butt off instructing. I did mostly the ATP add-ons and such. Never did Career Pilots. I also was the instructor that flew with the instructors in the office to get them ready for their Jim rides (although, now I believe they are Rich rides).
By December I was interviewing at the regionals. I was hired by both Trans States and Continental Express. Total time was 500 or so hours, of which, over 400 was multi. Turned down interviews at PSA and American Eagle. Took the COEX job.
2001: Started COEX in Feb. Hired onto the ATR. When I was hired they told us that we would be Captains in 9 months....didnt happen. We all know what took place in Spetember of that year. I held onto my job until December. Was in the last group of pilots furloughed. I dont know if anyone remembers, but in 2001-2002, you couldn't get a job washing an airplane, much less flying one. Especially since I was furloughed with about 800 hours TT. It was rough. I called ATP and talked with Jim. They were in the process of opening up BWG location. Just so happened I lived an hour from there. They hired me back and let me instruct there!
2002: Instructed at ATP Bwg. Had a great time. The people there are awesome. Great DE. Waited on COEX to call me back. That dragged on. Finally, Jim called me and said "fax me your resume", so I did (you ALWAYS do what Jim tell you to do..lol). 2 days later I had an interview with Chautauqua and an interview packet for ASA (at the time 2 of the only 3 airlines that were hiring...the other was Comair, but I didn't have the required number of moon landings they were looking for). ATP offered to fly me in their King Air (pre Citation days) to my interview, but I drove. Got hired at Chautauqua (didn't go to ASA interview) and started as an EMB-145 f/o their in November.
2003-2006: Flew at CHQ. Upgraded to Capt. in about 18 months. Was based in STL for most of my f/o time and went to the SDF base when they opened it. Upgraded in SDF. Had a GREAT time. That is an awesome place to work. Many of my best friends came from there.
2006: Went to a career fair in DFW, met and spoke with many UPS people. I had always wanted to work there. Got an interview a few days later. Was successful at that and started in October.
Well that is pretty much it. If you have any questions, please ask them here.
Good luck! For those of you that decided on ATP...you made the right decision.
Kryder
UPS F/O
