Solving the Cargo Pilot vs. Airline Pilot Debate

How awesome would it be if your daily view from your office keeps changing? If you see the Eiffel Tower today, you have a bird's eye view of the Grand Canyon tomorrow. That's what a career as a pilot can get you. Besides the compensation and benefits, the workplace view is too spectacular to be replaced with anything else. Of course, if you have dreamed of becoming a pilot, you may have wondered which type. In this blog, we will dive deep into two of the most popular ones and compare cargo pilot vs. airline pilot. The debate of cargo pilot vs. airline pilot often comes down to lifestyle preferences and the flying experience you seek. But whichever you choose, the job satisfaction remains high for both.

Who is a Cargo pilot?

In the debate cargo pilot vs. airline pilot, let's first look at what defines a cargo pilot. A cargo pilot is a professional aircraft operator who exclusively flies shipments from one location to another. Items in such shipments can be anything. As with any other pilot branch, cargo pilots also use advanced technology to plan their route while ensuring that the shipment is correctly loaded and unloaded, following all regulations to protect the integrity of the goods they transport.

Who is an Airline Pilot?

Now, let's look at the other part of our debate of cargo pilot vs. airline pilot, i.e., airline pilot. Airline pilots, also called passenger pilots, fly commercial airplanes carrying passengers from one place to another. Usually, such aircraft have two pilots, and both pilots work in tandem to maintain safety protocols, manage tasks during a flight, and communicate with passengers throughout the flight. Generally, airline pilots fly one type of aircraft, such as larger aircraft for international flights or small planes for regional travel.

Cargo Pilot vs. Airline Pilot: Key Differences

Now that we have looked at the main difference in the cargo pilot vs. passenger pilot debate, what other differences make up each profession? Which one feels like the more attractive career route? Let's look at the differences one by one.

1. Job Duties

Charged with carrying many types of freight for their employers, cargo pilots have a long job checklist, both during and after the flight.

Ensure pre-flight preparedness by reviewing official flight documentation
Conducting a careful external examination of their aircraft and reporting any issue that may impact the flight
Monitoring the performance of the plane during a flight
Keeping a clean line of communication with air traffic controllers
Filing paperwork related to flight details after landing
Recording maintenance issues if they arise
Performing post-flight aircraft inspections
Completing customs paperwork for freight if required by law

When we look at the other type of pilot in the cargo pilot vs. airline pilot debate, their list is also not any less exhaustive.

Perform basic inspection of all flight systems before takeoff
Evaluate feasibility of the planned travel route
Maintain flight records throughout the trip
Coordinate with the copilot to delegate specific in-flight duties
Keep both the flight crew and passengers informed about the flight's status
Keep a clear line of communication with air traffic control personnel
Complete post-flight reports regarding the status of the flight and the aircraft

2. Education and Training

Let’s examine the second facet of the cargo vs. airline pilot debate.

To become an airline pilot, you first need a Private Pilot License (PPL), which lets you fly small aircraft for non-commercial purposes. Check your country's guidelines, as the required flight hours for a PPL typically range from 40 to 50. After passing a medical examination and obtaining your certificate, you can start accumulating flight hours. Next, you will need to obtain a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), which generally requires 200 to 300 flight hours.

Finally, to become an airline captain, you must secure an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), which requires at least 1,500 flight hours, a written exam, and a thorough medical evaluation.

In the debate on cargo pilots vs. passenger pilots, the education and training for cargo pilots are not much different from that of airline pilots. You will first need to acquire a PPL and then complete the necessary prerequisites for obtaining a CPL. You don't require an ATPL to become a cargo pilot. However, cargo pilots may need training on operating specific types of cargo aircraft or working with special freight, such as temperature-sensitive goods, perishable items, or hazardous materials.

3. Health Requirements

Medical certificates are mandatory for both cargo pilots and airline pilots. In the cargo pilot vs. airline pilot debate, knowing what a medical certificate is essential. While the specific requirements can vary, some are similar. Some regulations can also disqualify you for particular conditions such as certain heart diseases, mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, psychosis, or severe personality disorder, substance abuse, diabetes that requires insulin usage, and epilepsy.

4. Salary and Benefits

If you are comparing cargo pilot vs. airline pilot, you are also comparing cargo pilot vs. airline pilot salary. Let's take a look.

Globally, cargo pilot salaries range from $120,000 to $250,000 annually, with pilots flying larger aircraft, like Boeing 777 or Airbus, earning more. Experienced pilots, especially those with captain positions, command higher salaries. There can also be a fluctuation in cargo pilot vs. airline pilot salary based on location and the airline they are employed in.

If we look at airline pilot salary in the cargo pilot vs. airline pilot salary debate, it ranges between $200,000 and $700,000 annually. The same factors play a role in determining who gets paid what. Airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Singapore Airlines are known for offering competitive pilot salaries. Similarly, Captains, who are the pilot-in-command, typically earn more than First Officers (co-pilots).

When looking at the cargo pilot vs. airline pilot salary, consider going through numerous airline jobs to see what your potential employer pays for the job role.

5. Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is important in the cargo pilot vs. passenger pilot debate. Airline pilots typically enjoy more structured schedules. They usually have regular layovers in destination cities to recharge and recover, especially after a long flight. This gives passenger pilots an opportunity to explore the new cities they land their aircraft in.

The schedule for cargo pilots is not so laidback. Due to the nature of the freight they carry, it can be irregular, making personal time planning more challenging.

Passenger pilots tend to work on three —or four-day trips, leaving home on the first day and returning home on the last day, operating a couple of flights per day in between. Cargo pilots are often gone for longer periods and home for more extended periods between assignments.

6. Job Prospect

In the cargo pilot vs. airline pilot debate, the job prospects of a cargo pilot are positive. Factors such as e-commerce and global trade increase demand for cargo pilots. Airlines operating in freight transportation also consider increasing their fleet, necessitating a further demand for cargo pilots.

The same is true if you are looking at becoming a passenger pilot. Tourism is picking up, and more and more people want to visit far-off places. We are also returning to the pre-pandemic way of doing things, where almost all conferences and exhibitions happened in person. All these factors will increase the demand for qualified airline pilots.

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Cargo Pilot vs. Passenger Pilot: What to Choose

The decision to become an airline or cargo pilot ultimately depends on your preference. You might think of a career as an airline pilot if you like a more structured schedule in your work life. On the other hand, those who prefer a quieter flight, unique schedules, and the satisfaction of delivering critical cargo to people and places in need might go for being a cargo pilot.

Both career paths are filled with exciting opportunities. As we stated, the job prospects for cargo and airline pilots are similar. What can help you gain more clarity on the subject is a thorough research on different airlines and companies that operate in these two verticals. Understanding their schedule and culture can help you decide, and start looking at how long it takes to become a pilot.

Conclusion

There are many similarities between the life of a cargo pilot and an airline pilot. But it is the differences that make these paths so unique. If you choose to enter freight operations, it is time to get your license and instrument ratings and apply to the numerous cargo pilot jobs up for grabs. The same is valid for airline pilot jobs. But whichever you choose in the cargo pilot vs. passenger pilot debate, both roles contribute to the vital operations of the aviation industry.

Cargo Pilot vs. Airline Pilot: What's the Difference?

Who is a Cargo pilot?

Who is an Airline Pilot?