Originally Posted by
Tuck
FEDEX is operating under a 121 Supplemental Certificate. For the most part I understand this means that we don't have dispatchers, just "flight followers" and that we must have an alternate regardless of weather.
There's a move to make FEDEX operate under Flag rules for Domestic ops. This would mean that GOC would have to operate as dispatchers and also the removal of mandatory alternates which, in turn would lessen the fuel loads and save money? I believe UPS is now operating under Flag rules for Domestic ops.
What are all the differences and ramifications of the different certificates? Thanks.
Yes, we did initially operate under supplemental rules, but went to flag/domestic ops in the early1990's (93 or 94). The biggest change was domestic, where supplemental rules required an alternate airport for each leg, even if the destination was CAVOK. Our "dispatchers" did all the functions of a dispatcher, but all this was in prep for going to domestic ops. Once we dropped the supplemental alternate on every leg, we started saving a lot of gas....but everyone sure noticed the much lower fuel at destinations if the wx was good!!
I'm sure there are several more differences, such as ops and MX FAA oversight, etc. You could always look at the FARs...