Life as a Cargopilot
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19
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From: europe
Life as a Cargopilot
Hi Guys !
I was just wondering if there are any cargo pilots there could tell about a typical days work as an cargo pilot compared to a airliner pilot...
How are the roster ?..
Is it always overnight flights ?..
How did you become a cargo pilot, and why ?..
I have an idea of that it is more varied and interesting than a job as a charter pilot.. is that true, or am i just dreaming ?..
I sow a program once on The Discovery channel about a team of cargo pilots they where following for a week.. It seemed as a very interesting job compared to typical airline pilots..
Tell me your story..
I was just wondering if there are any cargo pilots there could tell about a typical days work as an cargo pilot compared to a airliner pilot...
How are the roster ?..
Is it always overnight flights ?..
How did you become a cargo pilot, and why ?..
I have an idea of that it is more varied and interesting than a job as a charter pilot.. is that true, or am i just dreaming ?..
I sow a program once on The Discovery channel about a team of cargo pilots they where following for a week.. It seemed as a very interesting job compared to typical airline pilots..
Tell me your story..
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 465
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From: Notts & Derbyshire border
Documentary?
Was that the Antonov 124 documentary where the aircraft never goes back to base for x number of months?
Thats what most adhoc cargo operators do, fly around tramping one place to another endlessly.
Thats what most adhoc cargo operators do, fly around tramping one place to another endlessly.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,777
Likes: 9
From: Blighty
There are a variety of jobs in the Cargo world, all are different ranging from night mail and newspapers in turboprops to long haul in 747s.
But you did mention a 'days work'. If you join a cargo company, you won't be flying much during the day!
Advantages are no pax (especially good since after 9/11) and no slot times at the time of day you fly.
Disadvantages include no one to make your coffee or get your meals and antisocial hours.
A lot of people think cargo jobs pay less but this is not necessarily so. I left a passenger airline to join a much better paying freight operation flying essentially the same aircraft.
But you did mention a 'days work'. If you join a cargo company, you won't be flying much during the day!
Advantages are no pax (especially good since after 9/11) and no slot times at the time of day you fly.
Disadvantages include no one to make your coffee or get your meals and antisocial hours.
A lot of people think cargo jobs pay less but this is not necessarily so. I left a passenger airline to join a much better paying freight operation flying essentially the same aircraft.
Last edited by Dan Winterland; 21st June 2003 at 06:49.
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 14
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From: UK
A lot of people think cargo jobs pay less but this is not so. I left a passenger airline to join a much better paying freight operation flying essentially the same aircraft.
Too general a statement mate, certainly in the turbo prop end the salaries are worse, worse benefits and worse hours... not to be recommended really!
Too general a statement mate, certainly in the turbo prop end the salaries are worse, worse benefits and worse hours... not to be recommended really!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19
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From: europe
BRISTOLRE,
No, it wasn't a Antonov, to be honest i can't remember what airplane it was except that it was white..
(i think it was a 767.. not sure), it's also some years ago now since i sow it.. but the team they where following had 1 week on duty, then 1 week off.. they flew all over the world with everthing they possibly could fit in to the cargo plane.. seemed like a very interesting job..
Any of you guys with a job like that ?
No, it wasn't a Antonov, to be honest i can't remember what airplane it was except that it was white..
(i think it was a 767.. not sure), it's also some years ago now since i sow it.. but the team they where following had 1 week on duty, then 1 week off.. they flew all over the world with everthing they possibly could fit in to the cargo plane.. seemed like a very interesting job.. Any of you guys with a job like that ?
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I had a blast flying as a charter pilot in the US. I have done both pax and cargo charters. It is interesting because you are going different places rather that a set-route. Sometimes, it is very demanding because of weather mins, duty times, etc. I am usually on call 5 days a week 24hrs a day.
Sometimes, we help out other companies too, e.g. when they have a plane down. We usually cover for them on a UPS/DHL run. I enjoy the work because it is varied. Sometimes you will find yourself landing at a big international airport and sometimes in a little airport out of no where.
The other interesting part is talking to other pilots hanging around, building your own contacts for future jobs, etc. I have never flown in Europe, so it will be interesting to hear from someone else over there sharing their views.
Sometimes, we help out other companies too, e.g. when they have a plane down. We usually cover for them on a UPS/DHL run. I enjoy the work because it is varied. Sometimes you will find yourself landing at a big international airport and sometimes in a little airport out of no where.
The other interesting part is talking to other pilots hanging around, building your own contacts for future jobs, etc. I have never flown in Europe, so it will be interesting to hear from someone else over there sharing their views.
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 115
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From: South of Boston
There are such a variety of Cargo operations, ranging from national carrier ie: Lufthansa Cargo to dedicated Cargo outfit like Cargolux, Atlas..., the overnight parcels like DHL ,UPS, TNT.....and those operating on "behalf of", like EAT, Swiftair, Airatlantic,Cougar...., small outfit of only two aircrafts to giant fleet ie: FEDEX!!!
From oversize freight to mail service, from 747-400 to Cessna - Caravan not to mention the Airbus Beluga or the Antonov....
From assigned route coz of the relation between payload and sector lenght to "Ad Hoc" freighters
Like Dan and Lear mentioned, such a variety of jobs under one Name : CARGO
I started my carriere ....some years ago with a cargo company and had the chance to fly around and around the world.... but at an "interesting "altitude on DC-4 ,DC-6,ATL-98, type of equipment,and I learned a lot.....my ears are still ringing with the voice of the F/E yelling at me coz my rate of descent was too fast and the cylinder- Temperature was dropping !!!
Latetly I was flying exclusively at night 3 to 4 nights a week, 1 to 3 sectors per night on medium haul, with 2 to 4 days off at home.
I have left the Freighters just a few week ago, sadly not of my own will......
I'm gonna miss it
From oversize freight to mail service, from 747-400 to Cessna - Caravan not to mention the Airbus Beluga or the Antonov....
From assigned route coz of the relation between payload and sector lenght to "Ad Hoc" freighters
Like Dan and Lear mentioned, such a variety of jobs under one Name : CARGO
I started my carriere ....some years ago with a cargo company and had the chance to fly around and around the world.... but at an "interesting "altitude on DC-4 ,DC-6,ATL-98, type of equipment,and I learned a lot.....my ears are still ringing with the voice of the F/E yelling at me coz my rate of descent was too fast and the cylinder- Temperature was dropping !!!
Latetly I was flying exclusively at night 3 to 4 nights a week, 1 to 3 sectors per night on medium haul, with 2 to 4 days off at home.
I have left the Freighters just a few week ago, sadly not of my own will......
I'm gonna miss it
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 85
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From: UK
SHEDDRIVER
I a cargo turboprop and get paid considerably more than some PAX turboprop guys so it ain't all that bad. I think with my expenses I can get almost as much as some of the lower paid pax turboprop Capt's.
I love the freight work and I get stacks fo time off, not great for the log book but hey I'm getting paid to be at home so it sounds like a pretty good deal don't it.
As has been said the down side to freight is the unsociable hours and I did see someone say no-one to bring your tea/coffee/food. well I want to work somewhere where I get any of those... I'm quite happy to get it from the galley myself (if we had one). Of course the larger aircraft come fitted with a Loadmaster who often make good replacements for the wagon-dragons we lack, some have even moved to join the ranks of the hosties although I hasten to add they don't look quite as good in a skirt (it's the hairy legs and facial hair). Right I suppose I'd better go and prepare my inbox for the flaming I'm about to get from all the Loadies in the world and of course the kicking I'm gonna get in the crew room from Shuperstar and Freightdoggy!!
Happy trails
Box
I a cargo turboprop and get paid considerably more than some PAX turboprop guys so it ain't all that bad. I think with my expenses I can get almost as much as some of the lower paid pax turboprop Capt's.
I love the freight work and I get stacks fo time off, not great for the log book but hey I'm getting paid to be at home so it sounds like a pretty good deal don't it.
As has been said the down side to freight is the unsociable hours and I did see someone say no-one to bring your tea/coffee/food. well I want to work somewhere where I get any of those... I'm quite happy to get it from the galley myself (if we had one). Of course the larger aircraft come fitted with a Loadmaster who often make good replacements for the wagon-dragons we lack, some have even moved to join the ranks of the hosties although I hasten to add they don't look quite as good in a skirt (it's the hairy legs and facial hair). Right I suppose I'd better go and prepare my inbox for the flaming I'm about to get from all the Loadies in the world and of course the kicking I'm gonna get in the crew room from Shuperstar and Freightdoggy!!
Happy trails
Box
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 439
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From: Fratton End
Tut tut, boxjock99! Wagon- Dragons indeed, you are going to wish you never said that when you move to LEEDS
If you ever make it to the bus, I will make sure that barnstomer makes you one of his world renowned YORKSHIRE brews after he's been to the bog!! Heres to fighting
,and drinking
,
and bonking the cpts girlfriend :
coz a loadmaster is for life not just christmas
If you ever make it to the bus, I will make sure that barnstomer makes you one of his world renowned YORKSHIRE brews after he's been to the bog!! Heres to fighting
,and drinking ,and bonking the cpts girlfriend :
coz a loadmaster is for life not just christmas
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 71
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From: England
Oh dear! promotion from desk jockey to high flying FO on the Fokker seems to have gone to your head!!
We don't mind making tea, coffee n stuff for you but after the hurtful things you have said I may just go back to skiffing your drinks or just plain making you wear it!!!!
Channex Loadmaster...... Be The Best!!
Ere FDD didnt know capts had girlfriends... thought they were all past it!!!!
We don't mind making tea, coffee n stuff for you but after the hurtful things you have said I may just go back to skiffing your drinks or just plain making you wear it!!!!
Channex Loadmaster...... Be The Best!!
Ere FDD didnt know capts had girlfriends... thought they were all past it!!!!
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 1
From: Egcc
I did 6 months for DHL in the UK and they were an excellent employer IMHO. However, night freight just wasn't me and certainly wasn't for my wife and young kids.
Permanent nights, possibly up to four sectors, very similar destinations in and out of hubs to 'spokes' often the same each night, always having to pack your suitcase and check out of the hotel every night because even if you were due to daystop there every day you couldn't guarantee coming back! Body clock adjusting to nights and then coming home and being absolutely useless for another day and a half as you tried to get over the jetlag again. I was getting about 4-5 days off at a time which was fine, but some of the guys were doing 6 on 3 off, no good if you have a family. No food supplied, basic coffee and tea facilities (which was fine) smelly crew rooms (where you spend an awful lot of time hanging around) which were full of cigarette smoke, average 350hrs a year flying but just as many duty hours as charter (again it may suit you, but not me) good basic salary with slightly below average duty pay, excellent hotels (generally) with a vast difference in what deal they offered so if a 4* + and not a good discount your food eats most of your duty pay and if its -30c outside (Helsinki in winter) you don't really feel like getting up at 2 in the afternoon and then have to go trogging around outside to find a cheaper alternative. Possible downside is spending 6 nights with the same crewmember, who you may not hit it off with. Lots of days (and the odd night off downroute) where you are by yourself, so make sure you like your own company!
Lack of pax was good, you can pole it around the sky a bit more without fear of complaints from the back, always flying the a/c very light (bulks out before MTOW) which gives good performance, great bunch of people (with the odd exception) and pretty good backup and well 'looked after' (that indefinable quality where they don't question every claim form etc etc) DHL are a very stable employer and with the recent downturn in the industry they are one of the few employers where fear of redundancy is unknown, as is night freight in general.
This is a balanced view from my perspective so don't shoot me down in flames, it's horses for courses and I personally prefer charter, as do my family as I come home just about every day/ night, says he typing in a hotel!
PP
Permanent nights, possibly up to four sectors, very similar destinations in and out of hubs to 'spokes' often the same each night, always having to pack your suitcase and check out of the hotel every night because even if you were due to daystop there every day you couldn't guarantee coming back! Body clock adjusting to nights and then coming home and being absolutely useless for another day and a half as you tried to get over the jetlag again. I was getting about 4-5 days off at a time which was fine, but some of the guys were doing 6 on 3 off, no good if you have a family. No food supplied, basic coffee and tea facilities (which was fine) smelly crew rooms (where you spend an awful lot of time hanging around) which were full of cigarette smoke, average 350hrs a year flying but just as many duty hours as charter (again it may suit you, but not me) good basic salary with slightly below average duty pay, excellent hotels (generally) with a vast difference in what deal they offered so if a 4* + and not a good discount your food eats most of your duty pay and if its -30c outside (Helsinki in winter) you don't really feel like getting up at 2 in the afternoon and then have to go trogging around outside to find a cheaper alternative. Possible downside is spending 6 nights with the same crewmember, who you may not hit it off with. Lots of days (and the odd night off downroute) where you are by yourself, so make sure you like your own company!
Lack of pax was good, you can pole it around the sky a bit more without fear of complaints from the back, always flying the a/c very light (bulks out before MTOW) which gives good performance, great bunch of people (with the odd exception) and pretty good backup and well 'looked after' (that indefinable quality where they don't question every claim form etc etc) DHL are a very stable employer and with the recent downturn in the industry they are one of the few employers where fear of redundancy is unknown, as is night freight in general.
This is a balanced view from my perspective so don't shoot me down in flames, it's horses for courses and I personally prefer charter, as do my family as I come home just about every day/ night, says he typing in a hotel!
PP
