The Advantages of Flying Cargo

Some pilots are seeing advantages in flying cargo planes instead of passengers.  FedEx and UPS did 28% of all pilot hiring at major U.S. airlines last year, up from 8% in 2004, according to AIR Inc.  er cargo carriers are also expanding, including Kalitta Air of Ypsilanti, Michigan, which flies 14 planes, up from three in 2000. 

And the pay can be very good.  Five-year cargo pilots now make an average of $108,330 a year, while top captains are paid $194,566 on average.  This reflects the surging global freight demand that is filling cargo planes with everything from computers to toys to flowers. 

  UPS and FedEx, which operate the world’s two largest cargo airlines, made about USD$22 billion in combined PROFIT since 2001 — and more growth is expected as they expand their delivery networks in China. UPS currently employs 2,700 pilots worldwide.

Except for seats and flight attendants, cargo and passenger planes are basically identical. 

Call Phoenix East Aviation today 1-800-868-4359 and find out how you can develop the skills to fly for commercial passenger or cargo carriers worldwide.  Your career as a pilot can start with this  phone call; an Admissions Officer is waiting to talk to you.