Airline Pilot Central Forums - UPS/FedEx Fleet Schedules Question

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My algorithm says this thread is going nowhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuelson (Post 1805245)

X, I appreciate your concern. I am asking about info that could be derived a lot more arduously from flightaware. I just want to make sure my model reflects reality. I think I can reduce direct operating costs by about 3% using an algorithm derived from my research.

Are you that guy who says an earthquake is gonna swallow up RWY 27 KMEM due to cracks in the concrete?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuelson (Post 1805245)

Don't know much about your algorithm, but you have to remember that FedEx (and I'm sure UPS) are not about doing it cheapest. We are trying to protect a brand name. We want to deliver as close to 100% of our packages on time every day. FedEx has several planes every night that fly empty on strange routes just to be able to drop in on a city if the scheduled flight from that city breaks or is delayed. Where would that fit into your algorithm? As JetJok said, I'm pretty sure the FedEx guys run the numbers every night.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overnitefr8 (Post 1805982)

Don't know much about your algorithm, but you have to remember that FedEx (and I'm sure UPS) are not about doing it cheapest...

Nah, it doesn't work that way here at brown. Our cost saving algorithm, or brown-'o-rithm is very straight forward.
The management's well-being is directly but inversely proportional to line pilots' well-being. I.e., the more they screw with us - the happier they get.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunter (Post 1805948)

Are you that guy who says an earthquake is gonna swallow up RWY 27 KMEM due to cracks in the concrete?

Truth be told ... damage estimates for the Memphis area from a potential New Madrid Fault earthquake are catastrophic. It's responsible for some of the largest magnitude quakes ever recorded in North America!

New Madrid Seismic Zone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

:eek::eek::eek:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overnitefr8 (Post 1805982)

Don't know much about your algorithm, but you have to remember that FedEx (and I'm sure UPS) are not about doing it cheapest.

Times have changed at Brown, it is all about the cheapest. Service failures can be blamed on weather, etc.

Its gotten so bad, rumor has it that the name is actually UP, the 'S' has been dropped to save a dollar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetjok (Post 1805841)

Sam,

What do you think goes on at UPS and FedEx Express? Do you think that the guys responsible for getting every ounce out of every pound of whatever, be it jet fuel, diesel fuel for trucks, people, equipment, etc, don't pay attention to maximizing profits by minimizing operating costs? Perhaps your algorithm is better than theirs, which would be hard to believe. But if that were the case, you shouldn't be talking with dumb-assed pilots here. You should be talking with guys like Ronald T. Piervincenzi and Fred Smith. Good luck. Really. No kidding.

I know they each have operations research whizzes who do some great stuff. I studied their efforts in my research. One said that they developed its schedules using linear programming which has its limits for solving big, complex problems. The problem was so big, they broke it into pie slices. Solutions for routing in the center of the slice were great but the closer to the slice edge they got, the less good they were.

I was in discussions with some planners at the other carrier and they were very enthusiastic about what I had to say UNTIL I asked for a non-disclosure agreement. Then, everything went silent.

I strongly believe in my idea and would like to see one of the two implement it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunter (Post 1805948)

Are you that guy who says an earthquake is gonna swallow up RWY 27 KMEM due to cracks in the concrete?

No. In fact, I recently chided someone posting on the internal board at my carrier for worrying about a spate of 2.0-2.9 earthquakes near one of our hubs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overnitefr8 (Post 1805982)

Maintaining service standards is a critical element of my plan. It also provides solutions for the broken schedule problem.

I'm currently enjoying 7 weeks of white space on my calendar with full pay by "optimizing" 2 weeks of vacation and "optimizing" my trips on the front and back end of the vacation. "Optimization" works just fine "as is" for me right now.