dojetdriver

Just curious, but how does this work? I was New Zealand last year and a FedEx crew was DH'ing down there as well. I asked what they were doing, they said they were there to pick up some horses and take them to L.A. It was just after boxing day if people are able to correlate.

But anyway, I'm guessing that if they were carrying the horses, they had to carry a trainer/handler as well? If FedEx is not allowed to carry a JS'er international despite CASS, how can they carry a handler that more than likely is not in CASS. Also, what if the handler is not from the U.S.?

AerisArmis

Two weeks ago, a gorilla from MCO to DWF zoo via MEM. Apparently, their smell is real bad. Glad the Airbus got it.

MaydayMark

I've had airplanes full of ostriches, cows (several times), 5 rhinos (going to Disney Orlando), horses, lots of baby chickens ...

ABK MAN

If my memory serves me correctly, the sharks for the movie JAWS were sent via FedEx. We also found a baby snake on a plane one night, the plane was inbound from China, so, no telling what it was, turned out to be a baby boa, better that that some other posionous snake . . . definately got our attention.

USMCFDX

Horse handlers accompany the animals, there are not jumpseaters. Lots of documentation goes with these flights. Not sure about a non US citizen, but it is probably ok. They do not ride in the cockpit.

Brendan

Ryan International used to play a big role in transporting race horses when they operated cargo 72s. Not sure about now though. I just remember seeing cargo weight and balance loading charts set up for horse pallets. It takes into account things like feed, supplies, handlers, etc.

dojetdriver

Well, there's lots of documentation that can go along with a jumpseater as well.

Besides, on a widebody aircraft, wouldn't the jumpseater also not be riding in the cockpit?

But yeah, the logic makes sense. It's probably "ok" to let a foreign horse handler on board the aircraft behind the door, but not a U.S. airline pilot who has been subjected to a 10 year background check and has information in a database to verify his identity. Whenever I used the JS privilege on a passenger carrier I was "behind the door" also.

Don't get your panites in a bind. I'm NOT flaming you, or your company. Just seems weird that with all we went through after 9/11 to get the JS's back as well as CASS, that somebody who is not even a U.S. airline pilot nor in the CASS system, nor an employee of FedEx is allowed to be on board the aircraft.

MD11Fr8Dog

Handlers do not ride on the jumpseat in the cockpit, they ride on seats in the cabin! Jumpseaters usually ride in the cabin too, unless we are full or there are no seats in the back, ie. MEL'd inop or crew rest airplane.

I'm with you on not being allowed offline jumpseaters internationally. I'm not sure of the exact reasons, but something about CASS limitations? The handlers we have are pretty much known entities, kind of like known shipper stuff that gets some stuff streamlined. We had issues with handlers right after 9/11 and access to the cockpit/cabin, etc. We had some Captains deny these folks from boarding. It will get you some touch questions to answer as these contracts are very high value and lucrative. I think now the company contacts the Capts involved ahead of time to make sure there won't be any issues.

Anyway, I wish we could take offline pilots internationally, maybe someday!

dojetdriver

RIGHT, I KNOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT FULLY! Just like when an offline JS'er rides on a widebody aircraft domestically.

The reason I heard, was that it has to do with a security requirement that FedEx and UPS choose not to comply with. Even though the cargo/ACMI's that operate under part 121 do. Thus, allowing offline JS'ers to ride on international flights.

Yeah, pilots aren't

Me too. I'm not flaming you either S. Just perplexed at the irony of the whoel deal.

I foresee FDXer giving me another lame "infraction" for discussing JS procedures even though ALL this stuff is common knowledge that has been discussed ad nauseum.

USMCFDX

dojetdriver,

Agree with you, no flame taken.