Quote:

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Originally Posted by flyallnite (Post 1108175)

Now that Christmas is over, and the credit card is... smoking... does anyone know when the next bid will be out?

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From Crew Resources January 2012 Update:

THE NEXT AE

We expect to post another AE in the spring of 2012. This AE will continue to draw down the DC9’s, with all
aircraft out of service by Dec 2012, and make final adjustments for the 2012 summer schedule. We may also
add additional 737 crews in anticipation of taking our first 737-900 deliveries in 2013. We have not analyzed
the need for additional 737 bases at this time and do not anticipate conducting the analysis for at least another
6 months when we have a better direction from Network of how they intend to use the new aircraft.

UPDATE YOUR AE BIDS

As shown in the November 2011 AE, categories can be quickly opened and closed with fairly short notice.
While our goal in Crew Resources is to give as much notice as possible, as we did with the closing of the
MEM-DC9 categories, we sometimes have to make rapid decisions with little time to communicate to the pilot

group. We recommend regularly updating your bids and to bid what you want and want what you bid.
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:rolleyes:

Given what a small bid does I doubt we'd ever have a MOAB. You know what would be smart? That NWA system for bidding. Yeah, I said it.

GASP! :eek:

No you diin'

Another really nice thing about the NWA process was you would know when you were going to training...... This allowed a pilot to decide what was most important, a bid now, vacation, holidays, etc.

GSS airplanes are not flown by BA line pilots. They are flown by their own pilots who are typically retired BA pilots or other former -400 pilots on a much lower scale. I've flown with some at CX. This is entirely common in the rest of the world outside of the US. Another good example is the CX freighters....when this started up it was a completely separate pilot group on much lower pay....most eventually integrated but thats an entirely different story for another day. It is similar to the US regional idea just with large airplanes.

Ahh, I knew I missed one in there...

On a mostly unrelated topic, does anyone think that the new rest regs will result in more bases, possibly outstation basing to some extent? The lack of flexibility with the new hard time limits could result in some operational issues, cancelled flights and the like for domestic ops in particular if they can't get a reserve pilot in position to cover a timed out crew, say in San Francisco or Dallas or something. It would seem like having the crew time out in a hub rather than in an outstation would be a better thing.

Thanks for posting the completely vague crew resources update, I see they are still the last to know anything :D

Is there a chance we bought 739s for less per copy than we paid for these crappy to ride in CRJ-900s?

Every time I try to figure out what's gonna happen, I get proven wrong. They could do that (add bases), or reduce our schedules so we don't approach the limit, or both.

I would guess that because of the cost of opening and maintaining new bases, and that it seems that they are closing bases rather than adding them that they reduce our schedules and being very proactive with reserves if there is any chance of a delay.

That's my guess.

Atlas Air Worldwide Takes Delivery Of Its First Boeing 747-8 Freighter

Purchase, NY - November 8,2011 -- Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAWW), a leading global provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services, today confirmed that its Atlas Air, Inc. unit accepted delivery of the company’s first Boeing 747-8 Freighter on November 2, 2011.

The aircraft is the first of nine 747-8Fs expected to be delivered to Atlas Air and is painted in the colors of British Airways World Cargo (BAWC). It will be operated for BAWC under a long-term ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) contract between BAWC and Global Supply Systems Limited (GSS), a UK company in which Atlas Air Worldwide holds a 49% interest. Pursuant to the contract, GSS will operate a total of three 747-8Fs for BAWC.

“We have been looking forward to the delivery of our first 747-8F for a long time, and we are delighted that it is going into service with our valued, long-standing customer, British Airways World Cargo,” said William J. Flynn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Air Worldwide.

“BAWC is a vital link in the global logistics chain, and it will be one of the first air carriers in the world to benefit from the 747-8F’s new technology. Through GSS, our new aircraft will give BAWC increased capacity and revenue-generating capability in a growing airfreight market, while improving fuel economy, enhancing efficiencies and reducing costs.”

Atlas Air expects to receive two additional 747-8Fs in the fourth quarter of 2011, four in 2012, and two in the first half of 2013. The first five of these aircraft, including the three for BAWC, have been placed under long-term ACMI contracts, as previously announced.

The freighter, 5.6 meters (18.3 ft) longer than the benchmark 747-400F, is the largest, most-efficient, long-haul heavy freighter in the market with 16 percent more revenue cargo volume compared with the 747-400F. The additional 120 cubic meters (4,245 cubic feet) of volume afforded by the longer fuselage offers space for four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets. For maximum speed and efficiency, cargo on the 747-8F can be loaded and unloaded using both the nose and side doors.

Atlas Air Worldwide is the only outsource operator to offer customers the new 747-8F aircraft.

Steve Gunning, Managing Director of IAG Cargo Group, the single cargo business unit for International Airlines Group comprised of BA World Cargo and Iberia Cargo, said, “The decision to once again work alongside our long-term freighter partners, GSS and Atlas Air, and to upgrade to the Boeing 747-8 Freighter was an important step for British Airways World Cargo. It is our view that long-haul freighters form an integral part of our overall business strategy – providing flexibility and capacity on resilient and growing lanes – as we strive for continued excellence in product range, customer service and network offering.”

Mr. Flynn continued, “Our customers are growth-oriented market leaders that know they can depend on us as we continue to drive performance and value for them.”

With the first 747-8F in its fleet, Mr. Flynn indicated Atlas Air Worldwide is poised to take advantage of new opportunities.

“Our 747-8Fs, together with our modern 747-400 freighters, anchor a fleet that focuses on our customers and our unparalleled record of operation that makes us the most-reliable provider of outsourced aircraft operating services and solutions. We expect that powerful combination to continue to drive significant growth in our revenues and earnings in the next few years and beyond.”

About Atlas Air Worldwide:

Atlas Air Worldwide (AAWW) is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc. (Atlas) and Titan Aviation Leasing (Titan), and is the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. (Polar). AAWW also maintains a 49% interest in Global Supply Systems Limited (GSS). Through Atlas and Polar, AAWW operates the world’s largest fleet of Boeing 747 freighter aircraft.

Atlas, Titan and Polar offer a range of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services that include ACMI service – in which customers receive an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance on a long-term basis; CMI service, for customers that provide their own aircraft; express network and scheduled air cargo service; military cargo and passenger charters; commercial cargo and passenger charters; and dry leasing of aircraft and engines.

Yes! I loved flying the KC-10. However, as a 757/767 pilot now, it amazes me as to how simple they are to fly and how good their performance is. But I miss the speed of the 10.

Atlanta's domestic terminals are a mess. They are too small for the number of passengers that pass through it. They need to be wider and taller. They need people movers. I don't see this ever being fixed. Also, if only we had an additional lane for taxi between ramps.

I know a lot of people who will avoid at all costs connecting in ATL ... some being HVCs. The Atlanta airport severely impacts our product. I hope it can be fixed after we are finished with JFK.