Contract Cargo for the long haul?

[DASHDRIVER]

I am getting furloughed again in four days.

I have been recently given the opportunity to move into a contract cargo job. It looks like what I would consider a pretty good job. Not great, but definitely pretty good. home based, variety of flying, and growth that would mean (right now) a shorter upgrade time. I have been through 4 airlines now in 8 years and am really looking to stop moving around.

I have heard that this end of the cargo industry can be very unstable. I would love to hear opinions about what people think about the viability of a long career at a place that does contract cargo and charters.

DD

 

[MD11Drvr]

DD,

If you're willing to share the company name maybe you will get better informed answers. I understand holding cards close to the vest ,but the field varies wildly among the non scheds for QOL,contracts, etc. World is hiring and I would be happy to answer what i can about them or do a search for the company you are looking at and that may offer some insight. Good Luck either way......

 

[AV80R]

... I have been recently given the opportunity to move into a contract cargo job .... am really looking to stop moving around ... I have heard that this end of the cargo industry can be very unstable.

Any contract job is just that - a contract job that might or might not be renewed. Just look at how the ABX and Astar pilots and other employees get treated right now by their employer - DHL. That's right - they were doing contract flying for DHL...

I'd say take the job for now but keep looking for something more stable. Good luck to you.

 

[Browntothebone]

Any contract job is just that - a contract job that might or might not be renewed. Just look at how the ABX and Astar pilots and other employees get treated right now by their employer - DHL. That's right - they were doing contract flying for DHL...

I'd say take the job for now but keep looking for something more stable. Good luck to you.

Once again, the mis-information on this message board is incredible. ABX pilots work for ABX Air, not DHL. Astar pilots work for Astar Air Cargo. Astar is 49% owned by DHL.

 

[AV80R]

... ABX pilots work for ABX Air, not DHL...

I see, so ABX pilots carry ABX freight, correct?

 

[Browntothebone]

I see, so ABX pilots carry ABX freight, correct?

ABX Air is contracted by DHL to fly DHL freight.

 

[AV80R]

ABX Air is contracted by DHL to fly DHL freight.

Exactly, that's what I was saying...

"Just look at how the ABX and Astar pilots and other employees get treated right now by their employer - DHL. That's right - they were doing contract flying for DHL..."

He asked about contract flying and I replied that in my view it's not a good option if he/she's looking for stability in his life. What part of that statement was wrong?

 

[Browntothebone]

Exactly, that's what I was saying...

"Just look at how the ABX and Astar pilots and other employees get treated right now by their employer - DHL. That's right - they were doing contract flying for DHL..."

He asked about contract flying and I replied that in my view it's not a good option if he/she's looking for stability in his life. What part of that statement was wrong?

You said that their employer is DHL. That is incorrect.

 

[BoxFlyr]

You're both right

 

[filejw]

What most ABX / Astar employees fail to recognize is after the spin off they were no different than Atlas or World flying for Air Canada or ANZ. Sad but true.