Originally Posted by
Samuelson
X, I appreciate your concern. I am asking about info that could be derived a lot more arduously from flightaware. I just want to make sure my model reflects reality. I think I can reduce direct operating costs by about 3% using an algorithm derived from my research.
Don't know much about your algorithm, but you have to remember that FedEx (and I'm sure UPS) are not about doing it cheapest. We are trying to protect a brand name. We want to deliver as close to 100% of our packages on time every day. FedEx has several planes every night that fly empty on strange routes just to be able to drop in on a city if the scheduled flight from that city breaks or is delayed. Where would that fit into your algorithm? As JetJok said, I'm pretty sure the FedEx guys run the numbers every night.