Cargo Pilot; FedEx, UPS, ATI

How to Become a Cargo Pilot (Fed Ex, UPS, ATI)

Fly freight on heavy iron — Fed Ex (MD-11/777), UPS (757/767/747), Atlas Air (747), ATI (757/767). Often higher pay‑rate ceiling than passenger legacies.

Entry

$95,000-$140,000 (FO Year
1)

Mid-Career

$220,000-$310,000

Senior

$420,000-$650,000 (Fed Ex 777 Captain top of scale)

Fed Ex and UPS top pay rates exceed Delta/United for equivalent equipment. International cargo (Atlas, ATI) pays competitively but with longer trips.

• Type rating (paid by carrier)

Most cargo majors hire from regionals/military with 3,000-5,000 hours; some direct entry.

Class 1

23

• RNP/NAT for international cargo

• Highest-paying narrow-body and heavy-iron seats in many cases
• Predictable schedules at Fed Ex/UPS
• Strong unions (IPA at Fed Ex, IPA-UPS)

• Mostly nights flying (red-eyes, Memphis hub at Fed Ex)
• Less glamour vs passenger flying

Show in evening, fly all night, hotel in destination. Fed Ex Memphis sort, UPS Louisville sort. International cargo: 6-14 day trips.

• Same as airline path 1,500 ATP
• Regional airline experience or military
• Apply to Fed Ex/UPS at 3,000-4,500 hours
• Type rating + line training

Night ops fluency, Hazmat awareness, International ops