1bdun

Can anyone shed some light on future hiring and quality of life at ASTAR? Why is FedEx and UPS growing aggressively while DHL seems to be standing still?
Hmmm.

erichartmann

DHL lost some ground in the U.S. as they absorbed and digested Airborne Freight. The intergration of the the former Airborne and DHL was more painful than expected. Consolidation of the two hubs (CVG & ILN) to ILN was more painful than expected.

Astar (the former DHL Airways) is now an ACMI carrier, along with ABX Air (the former wholly owed subsidiary of Airborne). Both are presently hauling freight for DHL within the U.S. ABX is not hiring at this time (I don't know about Astar) but we are putting recently aquired former Delta 767's into service as freighers. We are also actively looking for more aircraft. Personally, I think we have better QOL than UPS or Fedex based on our schedules, but other milage may vary.

prezbear

I have worked at both Astar and FedEx and I have to say that hands-down, FedEx is a much better place to work. I enjoyed Astar (DHL Airways). I liked just about everyone I flew with. It was a small, close-knit group. But, it lacked the growth potential that FedEx did and had a certain unknown quality about the future. While their scheduling was pretty decent with week-on/week-off lines, there wasn't much opportunity to adjust your schedule do to the limited number of lines. Overall, I have nothing but good things to say about Astar. Quality of life was fine, I just much prefer FedEx.

MuseumDriver

Prezbear...

How long ago did you leave Asstar? I have my app in with Fedex (Still at Astar) and I only know one other person at Fedex. Was wondering if we know each other?

Thanks

cashcow

My prediction for how the integrator industry will shake out within the next 2 to 15 years, i.e. at some point after Open Skies goes through and Fred Smith steps down:

1. DHL http://www.dpwn.de/dpwn?tab=1&skin=h...mlFile=2006675 will acquire FedEx to gain instant market share in the US.
2. UPS will have to counter by acquiring TNT http://www.tnt.com/.

or:

1. UPS will acquire TNT http://www.tnt.com/.
2. DHL will have to counter by acquiring FedEx.

Long term there is not room for 3 integrators and the Coke and Pepsi of express volume will end up being DHL and UPS. Schenker http://www.schenker.com/english/company/index.html will eventually also be absorbed by either DHL or UPS.

MuseumDriver

1bdun...


I'll give you my opinion for what its worth. For the 10 years I have been at DHL/turned Asstar... DHL just cant seem to figure out how to model itself after a successful express operation (Fedex or UPS). One would think, "Hey, those guys seem to have this figured out pretty well... why dont we do it the same way they do". For some reason DHL has always tried the "other" approach. I can remember hearing on a repetitive basis "we (DHL) arent interested in your package to grandma's house for Christmas, take it to Fedex or UPS". Pretty foolish to turn that or any business away if the airplane and vans are going there anyway.

The next huge mistake DHL blundered was paying something like $240 million for a new sort facility in Cincinnati that was utilized for about a year or less... that sits empty and unused right now but DHL still pays the lease payment.

That poor business decision was followed by the purchase of the Wilmington Airpark... ABX knew how to run it but DHL has it pretty screwed up. Its in the middle of nowhere so its hard to get or keep good employees. A DC-8 was able to depart Cincinnati at gross weight in any temperature for an overseas flight, it cant be done out of Wilmington unless its colder than about 41F. You might have heard when DHL acquired Airborne Express they fired over 3,000 DHL delivery drivers and kept the Airborne independent contractors, DHL doesnt treat labor well at all. Just a couple of weeks ago DHL fired 23 employees in Wilmington that were hired from ABX. The deal was they were hired into DHL and had one year to return to ABX should they so desire... Coincidentally, at one year and one day they were fired from DHL and lost their return rights to ABX. Not exactly honest and fair treatment of employees.

We always asked why DHL chose to fly the oldest junk in operation (DHL had THE oldest B727-100 in operation in the world until just a few years ago, the 727 in the Smithsonian is newer.) DHL has always claimed they only cared what something cost them today and never looked into the future, they also claimed they would never purchase new airplanes, they just ordered 6 new airplanes this week. It sort of leaves you believing one of two things... either 1) they really have no clue or 2) they are so untruthful about everything you can believe anything. Either option isnt good for business or the employee group.

I probably ranted on for longer than you would have liked but, those are the rough details of why DHL just hasnt got a grip.

18Wheeler

"The next huge mistake DHL blundered was paying something like $240 million for a new sort facility in Cincinnati that was utilized for about a year or less... that sits empty and unused right now but DHL still pays the lease payment. "


So now they have a 240 million dollar place to store their airplanes.

MuseumDriver

Pretty much... They park the ABX airplanes that arent being flown there. It was a great facility. Everything new and modern... its a time warp back into the dark ages in Wilmington.

CaptainMark

i have a good friend who has been a pilot manager at ASTAR(DHL) for years...he is actively looking for another job..he does not like the idea of being a contract pilot...that is basically what ASTAR has become....he is looking to get out...

ultradrvr

Well do you have anymore questions????? You shouldnt. You have two good choices for trash haulers. Brown or Purple!! I get the feeling we (ABX and ASTAR) (of course I am furloughed so I have been living in disaster) are kind of living life on the edge of disaster. Pretty good life today....in the crapper tomorrow. When management has golden parachutes there is no incentive to save your cabbose. "oh what the hell, this didnt work, I'm close to retirement so I'll just ease in to it a little early." As far as hiring...I have been the next to recall for over 2 years!!! Now that I have said that we shoud see ABX start to hire tomorrow.