I was jumpseating into ANC today, and saw a couple of Atlas 747s on our ramp. I couldn't help but think, why are we still using charter planes to carry our freight, when we are on the brink of furloughing (4a2b excuse) pilots. It seems to me, that the company has always said, that they only use Atlas, and other charter companies, in order to compensate for seasonal increases in freight, that would otherwise be lost. That in itself is acceptable, if all our available planes are flying, and all our crews, regardless of aircraft, or domicile, are flying normal schedules. But, if we are so strapped for freight, that we are overmanned, and are parking our own planes, and cut most pilots wages by 30% plus, then it also seems to me, that there should be restrictions on the use of these charter planes, during these tough economic times. Just as 4a2b is written to prevent a furlough, why can't the charter contracts be written such that during thin times, THEY have to take a reduction in their flying as well, in order to prevent them from losing their contract. Where is the priority here? Protecting our own flying, or protecting the flying of the contract carriers? I feel that if our flying is down 30%, then they should cut loose the charter carriers, and let Fedex pilots do the flying of Fedex freight, until it gets to the point again, where we don't have the capacity to carry that freight. How about, in the next contract, replacing 4a2b with, "In order to prevent a furlough, all charter contracts are cancelled first" THEN, have some version of 4a2b, that is not so easily abused. Well, back to doing my November bid, and select amongst the 55 credit hour lines......

And I was in such a good mood after the Phillies beat Colorado last night.....

 

Are you talking about the 3 new parking spots just south of our ramp? Those are actually the airports parking spots.

 

Yes, I was, and no, I didn't know that. I stand corrected. I feel better knowing that. But I do wonder if and why we will still use the contracted carriers during peak, like we usually do every year.

 

Unlike this board, you guys don't own it!

 

True, but cold.

 

Hi!

I would think that if your company (FedEx, I believe) is on the brink of furloughing, they won't. Intntl cargo has been picking up significantly since at least the beginning of Sep. Hopefully it continues, and you will not furlough.

cliff
NBO

 

According to a FedEx charter division sales rep, we do not have enough lift out of Asia to fulfill charter requests. We are passing on what he described as continuous significant revenue due to lack of aircraft. This was described as general cargo as well as specialty charters for horses, etc. For what it's worth.

 

That ramp space just south of FedEx's ramp in ANC is airport property, and just and is used by just about every cargo outfit. I was wondering about 6 months ago if we were wetleasing an AEROFLOT IL-72 when it was parked there until one of the ANC locals explained it to me.

Take a look at the scope clause of the contract; the number of hulls our airline (yes, i know, applies only to FedEx Express, not the holding company) can wet-lease is tied to the number of hull increases to our fleet. Since the company has been parking airplanes this year, it would be tough for them to justify any wet-leasing right now.

 

Just had a load master MEM-FRA. He was saying that charters could fill a 747 every day of the week and still beg for more. His thought was 10 747's would be adequate for the demand. So why is DL parking theirs? Too old for parts? Or did they just find out you can't make money w/ 747's and big ugly freight?

 

Some of those customers demand 747s due to their container height, etc. The choice is if the company should pass on those, or bid on them and subcontract them out to 74 operators. Which do you think is better for us in the long term?