Boxes Don't B!&?%: The Secret to Skipping the REGIONALS and FLYING FREIGHT // #60

Mike and Sean dive into the unconventional move to fly part 121 freight and bypass the regional airlines. This episode has the potential to be one of our most popular yet, possibly one of the best aviation pilot podcast episodes ever dropped. We will be returning to this topic in the near future with an interview from a 23 year old 767 freight pilot and a check airmen at one of these freight operators which are all hurting for pilots.
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If you have a question you'd like us to answer, you can email us at: [e-mail]
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
01:39 Sean's freight experience
03:52 Title meaning
07:06 Sean's freight adventures
09:16 Bypassing the 121 regional airlines
11:10 A single person's job
13:47 Flying on the back side of the clock
16:30 Downside to the 121 regional airline pilot jobs
20:10 www.airlinepilotcentral.com
22:31 FedEx vs. UPS pilot jobs
23:30 Regional airline vs. freight airline pay
24:39 Regionals and freight general comparison
28:25 Nice transistion to legacy 121 major airlines
30:17 Who the 121 freight operators are currently hiring for pilots
31:10 A major downside to flying freight
33:30 Wrap up- Take action!

[@NeaJEDI09]

This is the one I’ve been waiting for!!! Just found out about government contracted “freight” that pays waaaay more than a “regional” cargo 135. Aviation is such a big world.

[@kyle42903]

Currently an instrument student, I love the videos keep them coming.

[@AV8RLUKE]

this gave me a lot to think about. would love to see a podcast by y'all about the day to day in the freight world. at the moment, i'm still aiming for envoy within the next few years. my first solo is in 2 days 😎

[@lazarolalanagracia7121]

Awesome content thanks you guys

[@RedRocket556]

I'm a driver for UPS currently and WE DO NOT MAKE THE 170k the articles are saying we do😂 its kinda like the article you guys talked about that said American pilots are making 590k. It includes pension contributions and health care. We gross around 100k working 45-50 hour weeks. Any-who great content guys! I'm looking to start working my way through pilots certificates and building hours while still working full time here at UPS. I wish we were making that 170k so I could afford to speed up the process 😂

[@mytech6779]

Yeah that $500k is probably a theoretical A380 captain. The big three all negotiated recent contracts with ridiculous A380 scales, because they don't operate any and don't plan too.

[@williamhoward1608]

Love the content. Keep up the good work guys 👍🏿

[@jayjasonhackard]

Great job guys love this channel 🔥🔥 very informative

[@paulnagel8161]

You guys are really picking up a lot of great momentum! Thanks for the great information.

[@Kingmel101]

I’m loving the content and stories guys. Keep it up

[@sirgalalot88]

Yeaaa. Life’s imperfect. Thanks for highlighting all the pros and cons guys. It would be great to incorporate some interviews of pilots if ever. Great video as usual.

[@carlosbetancourt7241]

Loved this episode! Thanks for taking the time to create this content for us 😁. Would love to see an episode with someone who’s working for one of those cargo company’s and speak on that work life balance. Thanks again for all that you guys do

[@mannygathers2114]

Great info Gents👨🏿‍✈️

[@theccieguy]

Great Job 👍

[@mikelima8859]

This is the podcast that I've been waiting for. I'm currently working on my PPL and I always like to think ahead. This hits right on the spot. Looking forward for the next episode and hear it from any of the freight pilots. Cheers from KSJC

[@___Ken___]

Great video! 3 weeks ago i started exploring the world of aviation and discovered your channel during the process. Since discovering this channel I've listened to every single episode. I'm looking to make a career change and may go into aviation.

[@TruckinTrader1]

I really appreciate this info. I've always wanted to fly wide body planes. I'm an older guy and have limited time to fly, so I have to make the most of it.

[@websterhumphreys8744]

I love this episode. When you guys spoke of the low-time FEDEX cargo jobs that really piqued my interest. I would love it if you guys would expand or have an episode dedicated to low-time jobs. Many commercial pilots are out there seeking their first pilot job. Thanks

[@hankyoung.]

Love the podcast guys. It has been very informative and I needed the insight due to have just graduating college and didn’t know what I wanted to do yet for a career path. I worked a tough job post grad summer and am about to travel. Originally it was to buy time. The past few months becoming a pilot has been thrown in front of me in weird ways and have been heavily considering it. I have friends who are pilots and in flight school, but you guys have been a huge help in painting a picture of the profession. Now, my intro flight is tomorrow and am two weeks away from travel. Parts of me don’t even want to travel because the thought of flying gets me very excited😂. Anyway, keep doing what you are doing to inspire others. To blue skies my friends! Best of luck from Arkansas.

[@raymondgosha3086]

Don’t forget DG. Certain cargo are too dangerous for passenger flight but you have on cargo planes.

[@aldohattonduran5227]

Second time watching this 😂😂😂 love the opctions! Ty guys 🙋🏼‍♂️🛩️🇺🇸🛫 happy thanksgiving 🦃🍽️

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Thanks!

[@JKPilot]

Thanks for another excellent video….again highlighting just how good your aviation industry is in the US, compared to here in Australia. As a 52 yo student pilot, I can only dream of the opportunities afforded US pilots…especially right now in 2023. Keep up the great videos.

[@melissaaustin8877]

I would like to hear more about the flow through you talked about at the end, please.

[@danielross6774]

Love the video. How hard is it to go from freight to flying for a major?

[@user-vu1fk1pw2y]

Thank you video. Today I got a great info. Kalittar can be accept international pilot. Even Who didnt has greencard.?

[@milehighburt]

Something else to add would be the progression pathways available for 135 pilots to go up to 121 or even legacy. This allows lower time pilots to get into the world before ATP mins.

[@Skycop24]

A huge motivator for me getting through my training is the ability to show my family the world. Do any of the cargo carriers have travel benefits similar to Legacy/Regional airlines?

[@feltlifegaming3741]

Can we get, or do you guys have, a video on why you went private/corporate over 121? Pay, benefits etc..

[@josbren8943]

More information on cargo jobs. Please have some cargo pilots on the show. Thx.

[@clint4420]

Wiggins Airways has a program with United and UPS. FedEx also has a hiring freeze on pilots until 2024 right now.

[@reyesben]

Great show guys. Well laid out. Have you done a show on airline Cadet programs? Should a young pilot sign up for a cadet program to start building seniority? Does it cost anything or obligate you? FlyWithTrent channel promotes it but I’m not sure I understand it.

[@look_its_cp]

Great stuff gentlemen! I just started watching you guy just the other day and Im loving the material and topics covered! If you guys have mentioned this totally sorry. I'm a tattoo/beard guy. I was military for 10 years so I CAN go back to silky smooth. I have seen pilots with some rough on their cheeks and chins, just curious on the industry now. I'm 40+ years old and Im finally at the point in my life where I've overcome some obstacles and defeated a few demons of mine so I can follow my dream of flying. Is the industry whether cargo/pax lightening up on the standard of shaving and tats? Is it a "depends" answer? I don't have job killer tats (above the neck and past my wrists). I'll wear long sleeves...they make me look buff 😂😂😂

[@Frosty-cg8xf]

my university has a flow through , after cfi and hours, to amerijet, anyone know what its like to fly there? Im between that and the regional cadet programs my school offers.

[@JH-in5oq]

I know a check airman at SouthWest that grosses $500,000. But obviously he makes more because of his position, and he picks up a lot of overtime.

[@Hedgeflexlfz]

"Hold a current restricted or unrestricted FAA ATP certificate with an airplane category multi-engine class rating and English proficiency endorsement." They won't hire you without a full ATP.

[@Patsworldbaby]

I want to get my pilot license then move to another country and use that to work. Finding a pilot job with 2 weeks off would be great. I want to fly back and forth to Philippines, or just live there with my pilot license and just work over there.

[@chrisstr33tkng61]

Known about this route for a while now. Freight is the only thing i would fly considering how the industry has been recently. Im almost there as a CFI and Atlas is my go to due to fleet and pay. These companies are literally begging for CFI's to choose them at events like Oshkosh.

[@AD-mw6ne]

Hey guys, can anyone tell me the type of airline job or pilot job that pays well that you can be home the most per month with your family? Thank you.

[@earnedwings5206]

Ameriflight has a gateway program with UPS

[@philippeheer4181]

Good content but a little too much bashing of the regionals I thought. I flew regionals for six years and overall I really enjoyed it. I flew state of the art equipment (ERJ-175), upgraded within two years and was home based (never commuted). My average schedule was 4 days on and 3 days off. Sometimes I had a 3 day rotation and 2 days off between rotations. My average leg count per day was 2 to 3, sometimes only 1 and sometimes up to 4 (never more than 4). As regional pilot I flew all over the country (west to east coast) plus Bahamas, Cuba, Mexico and Canada. I fondly look back to my days as regional pilot. I fly corporate now, which is very cool also, … but deep inside I do miss the airlines a bit 😊.

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

That’s excellent insight! Thank you for the comment.

[@Micg51]

Yeah 6-8 lol what. I flew the Embraer too and that plane was awesome. I'd usually fly 2 or 3 legs a day. I don't know what the hate on the regionals are these days. The worst regional is better than the best 135..

[@michaelw2108]

Question for Sean the former cargo pilot, did you fly into Ontario Ca for FedEx

[@blackheartwolf]

Are they union?

[@zappatx]

I wonder what those small UPS Caravan pilots get??

[@JH-in5oq]

About $45,000 a year

[@aarontaylor7765]

Are we not going to mention how FEDEX isn’t hiring FO’s until the end of 2024? Are we also not gonna talk about how UPS is offering early retirements to pilots now?

[@chrisstr33tkng61]

There are other major freight airlines that are arguably much better to work for. FedEx and UPS is not even the first companies to look at if your in the know of the industry with competitive pay.

[@extremea7974]

@@chrisstr33tkng61can you throw me some examples please, looking to get into the field

[@redcauthen771]

There’s a channel “Cargo Babe” that shows this. 😊

[@lasttrumpsounding]

Mountain air Cargo has a direct path to FedEx and Ameriflight has a direct path to UPS and United. So there isn't really a con there.

[@JH-in5oq]

It takes a long time. You’ll average about 40-50 hours a month.

[@gurulifeline9479]

You definitely hit an eagle bro 😂 --> Eagles of large size can fly above many storm clouds like golden and bald eagles. They fly up to 11,000 feet above sea level, the altitude at which many small planes fly. As a result, the Eagle enters space when a storm occurs, and it usually cannot reach there in good weather.

[@Micg51]

What world are regionals flying 6-8 legs a day 😂 I avg 2-3 legs a day. I think I did 6 one time, 5 legs maybe 3 or 4 times.

[@IslandInsanity]

FedEx is not hiring pilots as of 2023…

[@aldohattonduran5227]

Guy's... totally love the program! And as someone getting my ratings done in order to reach the majors, i love the information regarding the cargo situation! Definitely a viable option ty 🛩️🛩️🛬🛫✈️