“If you desire to have a lifestyle and career where you are able to control quality of time with your family,” said Captain Handel Wellington, a UPS 747 flight training supervisor, “if you are interested in a career that gives you the flexibility of seeing the world and flying different equipment and working with people of different nationalities, air cargo is definitely the way to go.”
Wellington’s comment was only one of many extolling the benefits of the air cargo industry during a recent webinar on pilot opportunities. During the session RACCA President Stan Bernstein and pilots Josh Hernandez (AirNet II) and Jody Prior (Empire Airlines) discussed the attraction of air cargo flying careers, provided an excellent recruiting tool for the industry. They, along with Captain Wellington, articulated how great the job is, largely because of the family atmosphere that keeps them at it.
The session was impressive for the enthusiasm for working in the air cargo industry and equally impressive for the fact it was the most diverse panel of speakers I’ve seen at any meeting. It illustrated if you see it you can be it. Moderator Vince Mickens of Private Aviation Media Group, Wellington and Hernandez are black and, of course, Prior represented women.
The opportunities are great,” said Bernstein. “The cargo industry is remarkably stable industry and if you look at the most recent 20 years you’ve seen a lot of airline bankruptcies on the passenger side but not in cargo. On the regional side, since it is an entry-level position, we’re one of the few businesses that can hire relatively low time pilots because so many members use aircraft like the Caravan in single-pilot operations. Often that’s the first step, then pilots move up to multi-engine aircraft like the Saab 340, the Beech 1900 and the ATR so there is always plenty of opportunity for growth. Cargo offers excellent pay opportunities and great deal of stability compared to the passenger side which is not always the best solution for a pilot.”
Prior likes the work/life balance she has at Empire. “People come to air cargo thinking it a steppingstone and then fall in love with it and make it a career,” said Prior, who seemed to speak directly to millennials who demand a better work/life balance. “Flying cargo is fantastic. I spend a lot more time at home than in the air which is important because I have three daughters. Regional passenger pilots are away three to four days at a time. While I can have a week away, a lot of times I sleep in my own bed at night and have a set schedule far enough in advance that I am able to plan. We are also salaried employees which is unique for the airline industry where most pilots are paid by the hour and only paid while they are flying. That’s how cargo compares with the passenger industry.”
Captain Wellington agreed saying his colleagues with 25 or 30 years’ experience often express the pleasure they have working in the cargo industry because it is like a family. Wellington entered the industry around 9/11 and, with few pilot prospects, became a loadmaster on L-1011s and DC-8s.
“One of the best things I can tell you is sometimes you have to take a position that is not exactly what you want but it does keep you within the industry and progressing,” he said. “Along your career path, you have to be willing to accept the detours because life is not a smooth path.”
Hernandez agreed perseverance is key to achieving goals but also said networking is a key strategy. “You have to stay diligent and pursue your dream relentlessly,” he said, adding he was inspired at a young age when his mother took him to Chicago’s air and water show.
He is a product of the Young Eagles where the pilot for his introductory flight became his mentor encouraging him during his quest to make aviation a career. Hernandez just joined AirNet II to fly cargo having spent time in the business aviation industry.
“He sent me a notice for an internship at National Business Aviation Association and I thought they’d never hire me, but he said just apply,” said Hernandez. “I learned about business flying and the language of aviation which helped me with networking. I won two scholarships to go to the conference and network. Networking and learning the language and how to move within the industry is key. And humility and the ability to put yourself out there. Being willing to shake hands and meet people can take you so far.”
Hernandez was attracted to cargo for its challenges. “I wanted to do something fast paced,” he said. “There is a lot of night flying, IFR and so many different types of flying. That is a challenge for me. It is a great opportunity to sharpen my skills.”
Wellington, a member of the Organization for Black Aerospace Professionals, agreed. “Networking is the key to success. No one can do anything alone. I never would have gotten where I am without networking. You have so many different networking opportunities to succeed in the industry. You just have to network.”
Prior emphasized leaning it to different assignments. “I’m growing my resume with different skills,” she said. “I was a flight instrutor early in my career and that looks great on a resume. And, now, at Empire, I teach classes as a ground instructor and I’m part of the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) review committee which reviews pilot reports on things they may have done wrong. It is part of our safety committee which develops and implements safety measures for the company. Take on as much of this work as you can.”
Bernstein added companies like FedEx and UPS are very stable, well financed, have the best quality training and equipment and are very dedicated to their employees. He indicated air cargo has become part of everyone’s everyday lives, making it much more valuable given public dependence on e-commerce and vaccine distribution.
“That is what makes a career in air cargo high on the list for pilots,” he said. “Air cargo is far less volatile than the passenger industry. The future is very bright. Because of the contraction of the passenger industry, we have a perfect storm because the number of pilots available to return will be far less because of early retirements. There will be a dramatic and profound vacancy so young folks who are in the right position should continue gathering their hours flying cargo. Once airlines begin to recover, the industry will be more wide open with opportunities than has ever been dreamt of before.”
Prior also expressed excitement about the advent of the Cessna SkyCourier soon to be entering the FedEx fleet. “It’s a single-pilot, twin for cargo and it says something about the fact the industry is able to develop its own aircraft specifically for cargo,” she said noting Empire flies for FedEx. “It opens up more channels for delivery. In addition, because it is a single-pilot aircraft, I think the plan is to have the right seat occupied to allow lower-time pilots to build hours and experience.”
Flying in the air cargo industry is not much discussed, according to Micken, who moderated the session, making this webinar one of the more important for the industry.
To view the session click here.
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