I've read lots of rumors on this board about second hand, "I heard from a guy who heard from a manager....", information.

Well, this time I am going to be the one to start the "I heard it from a manager." I met one of the flight ops execs (not an ACP or check airman) who told me that UPS will soon announce an increase to the 767 order from 27 to 41. He said that UPS is also looking at second hand 767-300's over and above the brand spankin new 41. Plus, there WILL be more 747-400's on the way. No intel about when or where from.

Old rumors, I know. But this is the first time I heard these two rumors directly from a credible source first hand.

Anyone got more intel...second, third or fourth hand rumors?

Rott.

 

I can believe it. The 767's on Order I have heard are for DC-8 repalcements-not growth. Since UPS has decided against the A300, the 767 is the choice.

And 41 sounds just about right. 2009 to 2014 range. So I see the DC-8 being on property for another 7 years. Not 2 or 3 like some are saying.

 

I also heard 41 the other day while passing thru the Master Base for AQP..I just thought the person mentioning it was delirious...hmmm, they still might be but I did hear 41.

Headed back to the 'Kong

FF

 

South African Airways just announce that in November they will start to shed their 747-400's. British Airways will shed their's in the future when they start receiving 787's and A380's (which will be a while).

IMHO more 747-400 will be announced soon.

 

I luuuuuvvvvvv flying the 767, flies a bit nicer than the 757 me thinks. Also heard the rumor of picking up some more 767s, depends on the USAF tanker deal to some extent. Apparently we got the most recent batch of 27 at a very attractive price but Boeing didn't want to extend the production too much longer if they lost the tanker deal since they have to start ramping up for 787 production as they have already sold over 500 of those beauties!

Another juicy rumor...company's possibly looking at used 777 BCFs (Boeing converted freighters). Could be the beginning of another MD-11-type bidding war between UPS and FedEx for these airframes. Believe it or not, there are some 777s available on the used market.

Also heard a bad rumor that UPS may not put EFBs in the converted 747-400 freighters, cost savings, thus none would be turned on across the fleet. Let's hope this is not true, a dumb idea if they decide to do this! I think the union would fight this one, as UPS has sold it as an efficiency and safety feature.

 

Precontact - nice avatar picture you got. What's the total hourly fuel burn on "your" bird?

 

Well, not sure to be exact, but at least you can dispatch with 6 engines inop!
Well as long as they're not all on one side

 

I have to agree with the thought that UPS will become one of the largest operators of used 747-400s. The open question I ask is how long is the waiting list to have "doors/floors" mod done to the passenger birds. At my former gig, we were told it was 1-2 years...

Any thoughts ???

FF

 

Can back up part of this:


Had a guy from aircraft acquisitions on the jumpseat tonight going to Roswell NM. He was on the way to pick up a Delta MD11 out of the boneyard and take it to Singapore to get refurbished this week. He heard nothing of new 767's. He did say they are trying to acquire 747-400's from wherever they can get them. 747-400's was key according to him.

 

Two schools of thought.

1. Find the bird, make the deal, get the next open slot, get the mod done, fly it home, yeah, 1-2 years.

2. Actually perform the P2F Mod, around 3-4 months.