UPS military charters with DC-8s!!
 

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untit...1273acf7efe922

Photos: McDonnell Douglas DC-8-73(F) Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

Oops; I guess that's not a UPS airplane anymore; someone else saw value in what we didn't. Perhaps the douchers in UPS mgt can pursue opportunities to fly UPS airplanes instead of commenting on what FedEx does, threatening furloughs, and picking up magazines in the crew lounge? Nah, didn't think so.

Not really shocked by this at all. UPS has never and will never get it. It is all about control with them! I am sure some manager got or will get a nice bonus or raise for getting rid of all the 8's. You see, it is not about how much we could have made with military charters or how to utilize more crews, it's about the savings made by parking them. You know, trip over a dollar to pick up a dime kind of thing.

I was the F/O on #803, when it was flown to KROW (Roswell, NM), to be put in storage on May 19, 2009.
The bird was in perfect shape when we flew it there. Not one single deferred item or any problems.
See this attached photo of it going westbound!
www.dc8.org

I'm surprised we didn't make them cover up more of the paint. Very easy to tell it's UPS still. Too bad we couldn't get some more military charter work.

Awesome photo! Man, I really miss that airplane. What a joy to fly!

What a pretty airplane. In retrospect, wish I had flown one of these when FedEx acquired Flying Tigers in the late 80s. Same with the 747. Just too many schools to attend and the MD11 was on the horizon. The DC-8 will go down in history as one of the GREAT commercial ventures of all time.

As compared to a 757/767 or Airbus?? I wouldn't think so, but all I did was FE for 4+2 years. The last 2 were especially revolting after 12 years in the Boeing.

Roberto, to be fair, I have not flown the 75/76, or the Airbus for that matter. However, I truly feel that the -8 was an honest airplane that YOU had to fly, and not a FMC. Don't get me wrong - automation is awesome, and I love it on the MD11, however, the airplane flew the way you told it to: descent planning, cruise speeds, etc. And you have to admit, the thing is built like a tank. Just look at PHL. Even after 4 hours of burning, the tail never failed! Show me another airplane that could withstand that.

I'm sorry you had such a "revolting" time plumbing on the -8. Maybe you should have retired before becoming an FE. ;) I plumbed for 1 year before upgrading, and we have flown together, and I don't regret 1 minute of the -8.

I'm sorry you had such a "revolting" time plumbing on the -8. Maybe you should have retired before becoming an FE. ;)

Cat Fight!!!!

When you flew a DC-8 you felt good at the end of the day. Letting them go was a mistake and in our livery a bigger mistake.