Mil and Sports Charters
 

I’ve been around for just a little while now, and I’ve seen a few charters pop up in open time. They’re usually pretty easy looking with maybe the exception of some back side of the clock flying, and usually have lots of soft time. I’d like to pick some up, but I’m confused on why they tend to spend quite awhile in OT. I would really like a trip that reports at 1700 and releases at 0230. That’s not much TAFB for 10:30.

So what are the Buyer Beware items on these things? What am I missing?

You’re at the mercy of the charter coordinator and charter customers. That 0230 can become something else quickly. However, they’ve been fun and a nice break from the norm when I’ve done them.

Can’t speak for Mil stuff.

Charters can be both a good deal and frustrating. Especially ones that go late into the night. I have had some that went well and others where we waited around while the charter coordinator tripped over himself trying to get W&B right.

Delays.

Example of simple charter that got wayyyy late. DTW-YYZ-SLC (layover) DH back. Supposed to get into SLC at midnight east coast time, not bad right? The group that chartered the planes (there were 3 planes, large group) arrived at the airport maybe a hour late, then they all had to go through ONE screening check point in YYZ with one machine. That took 4 hours, so we took off 5 hours late. So we rolled into SLC way late, and customs was pretty annoyed (because THEY had to wait all that time too) and took their sweet time. Ended up at the hotel like 7 hours later than expected, making it an all night event.

I've had good ones too that were just pick up a team, everyone gets on, fly them somewhere, everyone gets off and zip, we're done.

Are all the charters done on the 75?

Nope. The dedicated NBA charters are 757s but other fleets do many charters as well.

Are charters depicted separately in open time or do you just have to look at the specific rotation to see?

If the entire rotation is a Mil charter, it will start with an M. Beyond that, you need to look at specific call signs for each leg. 8XXX is usually a charter leg. Not sure if there are other dedicated numbers beyond that (9XXX is a ferry/reposition I believe). A lot of times the layover city and dep/arr times are a good clue also. Like a 2330 dep from HPN to PHL, flight 8848, on a 757 was a hockey charter.

717 does a lot of college basketball stuff. Also UGA football since it’s the largest plane we can get into the Athens airport.

It's a trap don't do them. Rarely on time, schedule changes constantly. Food is good for pro team charters but that's about it and only if you're ferrying next. Could end up with some really crappy flying, lots of deadheads, or combination of both.