I personally don't think anything (suppose to and going to are a bit different).... The ground work has been done and a -200 has been located within CAM that would go to ATI last I knew. However, if ATI has to make the changes to the operation like I heard they need to, then it won't be for a while.

 

It looks like 316CM (one of two 767-300s ATI leases from CAM) did a test flight out of KILN yesterday. Someone said that plane was supposed to come out of a “C” check a long time ago. I guess they were not in a hurry since they didn't have any work for that plane anyway.

Does anyone know if they have any immediate plans for 316CM?

 

That had to be the longest C-check in 767 history. DC-8 C-checks take less time. They weren't in a hurry for it. And Jakarta is still a pipe dream. Skeleton grey is an appropriate descriptor for anyone holding their breath on that one. However, 316 is flying a back-to-back charter sequence that traditionally would have been done by a DC-8, so I'm very happy to see this type of flying being accomplished by a 767 (it's the first of its kind that I know of, anyway...), and it brings us back to our roots and where we shine and really put our great Ops Specs to use. This is the high-dollar stuff that kept us in the black in years past. There are no more on the docket at the moment, but I sure hope we can pick up more of this. ATSG take notice! I know it isn't the kind of work you're comfortable with, but I think you'll like what you see.

 

"ATSG take notice! I know it isn't the kind of work you're comfortable with, but I think you'll like what you see."

I would think for as long as ATSG has owned ATI and with the merger HETE has structured.....ATSG would have somewhat of an idea what "kind of work" ATI is doing...Hete has a pretty good idea where the money is made in the ACMI world and where the money comes from to pay the day-day bills.....JMHO

 

That's the thing. Except for our combis, not much else we're able to do at the moment seems to even manage to pay the bills. These kind of charters not only pay the bills, they cover the bonuses as well. Not that we'll ever see a dime of that.... Our two remaining DC-8 freighters are progged to go away soon after the first of the year. With the delays associated with the 757 combis (if they ever come to fruition), and the extended lease on life for at least two of the DC-8 combis, maybe the two freighters will also hang on a bit longer. They have heavy checks, 100k hour inspections, and a fleet of 4 or so is always more manageable than a fleet of 2. Regardless, it's good to see this type of flying finally make it to the 767 side of the house, since that's where our future lies.

 

Agreed...but I do not think this is anything that ATSG/HETE does not know. ABX flies 20-22 aircraft for DHL but 65-70 percent of the total revenue comes from the other 10-12 airframes non DHL. This is what is currently carrying all of ATSG..IMHO

 

nitefr8dog

Those are interesting points to think about. You seem to have a lot of insight. What are your thoughts about this current furlough announcement, etc?

I think you've mentioned before that these last couple furlough announcements are probably “management posturing.”

A recent communication from 1224 said ABX management “opened up the books” for them. The 1224 guys seemed convinced that ABX is currently operating at a loss. Of course, losing money for one or two months during an, otherwise, profitable year is not a big deal. Also, a month or two in the red is easier to endure if there is credible evidence that the situation is temporary. That outlook analysis seemed to be missing from the 1224 information.

If you believe ATI management, they've lost anywhere from $8 million to $12 million this year and they haven't even been asked to give any concessions. Of course, that is probably because they are going through this merger process, but that's another story.

I'm trying to understand 1224's position on all this. 1224 seems uncharacteristically concerned about this current round of “posturing.”

Has your opinion change? Do you still think this last furlough announcement was a tactic to squeeze a little more out of the CBA?

 

Do not be fooled. Joe Hete can show a loss anyway he wants, and continue to tout CAM as the revenue maker for ATSG while shifting losses where he needs them to influence labor negotiations. Just listen to his quarterly shareholder meeting statements. It is amazing how ATI's lease payments on the 8 can go up and suddenly ATI is showing a bigger loss and now there needs to be a furlough, to reduce higher salaried ABX furloughees.......it is all Joe Hete puppet game, where CAM is his golden goose. I woud be willing to bet that when ATI negotiations come around again, our new operating space in ILN will become even more expensive and suddenly ATI will be losing money again. Or the sim rates Uncle Joe charges on his 767 sims goes up, etc etc.

 

No I think we are currently overstaffed, the number is now around 5-7 which of those 5-7, 5 are new hires....the union is just trying all means possible to reduce the numbers.

 

Sadly, I don't think this one is gonna fly. From listening at the crew meeting the other night, I think some guys are really attached to the extra few bucks per hour for the international override and the bonus pay for carryover and 1 - 6 training days per year.

WOOOHOOO - 6 extra days of pay for me! Oh man, you're only getting $243 a week on unemployment...man, that sucks. Sorry about that dude. Hey, gotta run...got a PTY trip....gonna rake in an extra $27.50 for that baby! Catch ya later OK?

Even though the changes are to be temporary in nature, the vibe that I picked up on was, 'THIS' is where we draw the line in the sand.

Temporary minor pain if you ask me to keep up to 18 'Brothers' employed.