Nwa 747 Anc
 

Will they be replaced with something new or will they stop flying cargo out of ANC?

If the operation continues to be profitable, then I would think they would consider replacing the -200's with the -400's.(if they ever get the 787)

Then again, if the merger is announced and gets approved who knows what will happen. Many probably think the operation will disappear all together, but nobody knows.

Isn't that what Korean Air is for (and Cargo 360). Hurray cabotage and Ted Stevens!

NWA just resigned with DHL on that contract so from what i hear the operation is running much better. I have heard rumors that if the merger happens then DAL might convert some of the old 767s in to freighters instead of selling them. FWIW

NW doesn't want cargo, period.

It's on life support.

Thinking anything different is ignoring the facts

Cargo 360 ceased operations as of Jan 15 2008 and handed in their certificate to the FAA Jan 24 2008.

Then why did they work hard to shape up the operation and get the DHL contract re-signed?:confused:

To increase its selling price?

Shape up, like parking two more airframes?

As far as re-signing with DHL, Dasburg needs the lift and he almost didn't re-sign.

If they had any desire to actually grow the business they'd be looking at modernizing the fleet years ago. They haven't cuz they ain't gonna

NWA resigned the DHL and just signed an agreement to do the cargo ops for some carriers over in china. They want the cargo ops and have been working very hard to make it profitable again, and it has worked.

You may have been hoping the NWA ops wasnt doing well and i hate to disappoint you but its doing just fine. Maybe you're worried we may grow the freight business with DAL and give you guys at UPS a run for your money. ;) LOL

I only wish the NW employees well. (best job I ever had)

I've been around plenty. I've "hoped" before...I've tried to keep the faith when reps said "we don't think they'll do XXX" but sometimes you just have to sit back and face reality.

They haven't modernized the fleet in years. Countless carries have--KLM, AF, Cargolux, Atlas, Polar, Kalitta, World, just to name a few--all fly 400s.

They are shrinking the fleet in the face of overwhelming evidence that there was money to be made in freight.

The ding-dong in charge of a new freighter (I forget his name) said the pax-conversion was "too heavy" to make it a profitable replacement.

That's laughable. It's executive-speak for we're not growing that part of the business.

Again, I wish all NW employees the best, but I wouldn't hold out hope that your management is seriously entertaining the idea of growing the business, at any level. Steenland's old lady has probably already spent his merger money three or four times over.

I think most of the lower third of the NW seniority list would be better served thinking about their own exit strategy than wondering whether the cargo division is going to be around in the future.

The interesting part, when you look at the cargo "lift" capacity (below deck) of a merged DAL and NWA, it is considerably larger than FedEx or UPS; I would be a bit nervous too. It was long ago said that the cargo in the belly of AA's widebodies paid the costs on each flight, I haven't been over to AMR lately, but I Imagine AA Cargo is still a sizeable portion of their income.

Cargo did well under Anderson when he was at NWA. If that continues, cargo will hopefully grow with the merger. The rumor is that Delta has the STC for cargo doors on the 767 and that will be the replacement. There is also talk of converting the 400. Nobody really knows and it is all speculation but cargo can pay for itself if managed correctly. UPS and FEDEX made ANC a major hub so life can continue up here....we'll see.

Thats exactly what i think is going to happen. Also i would guess a freighter hub out of ATL. The cargo ops are being overhauled to and its already starting to pay off.

I understand it's official--NW cargo 747s gone within 12 months.

(not gloating)

I heard this was announced by either Anderson or Bastian during their Asian tour last week. I have not found anything in writing to back it up however. Asian cargo ops will now be underbelly cargo for passenger flights supposedly.

The operation was profitable under NWA, perhaps DAL pays too much. If I see a 747-200 with the callsign of "Compass" I won't be surprised.

i remember one of the wilder rumours floating around Champion during the final innings was that NWA was going to put the freighters on CCPs certificate,those Whales would have looked good in blue !

When I interviewed with NWA, I shared the bus with two crews on the 747-200. Both Captains were discussing how the Cargo operation at NWA was bleeding money. They even joked "maybe DAL can turn it around" and everyone laughed. (this was pre-merger announcement)

-Fatty

It was over 180 mil in the red last year.

Cargo ops used to make money - but these days, not so much.

Other cargo airlines are having trouble too - it's not just NWA Cargo. Kalitta Air has reduced their aircraft (and crews) by 40%, Cathay Pacific Cargo is flying a lot less, and other companies have gone under.

I wish Delta could turn it around, but it seems unlikely. Belly Freight on the B744s or B777 will probably carry some of what was carried before.

I wonder how many pilots are on the 747-200F? NW was going to be short pilots once they converted to the DL work rules - the disappearance of the cargo ops may more than offset this shortage. Not good.

its down a bunch now. They have already started thinning it out. I believe the staffing on the freight side is around 200. If they plan on getting rid of the freighters, than 12 months would be plenty of time for them allow bid offs or displace as the pull down happens. The shortage we were going to have may end up being a wash depending on a couple factors. Fortunately we had a shortage coming up that can absorb the pull downs.

Any source on this, I cannot find it anywhere. My guess it's still a rumor. I think the minimum is 6 months notice for base closure so we will know for sure in June.

Captain...it's been reported that Anderson said it at a meeting with crews in Narita. No official announcements or press releases.

I've got a lot of planning to do if the above is true so I'm looking for something more official than someone said he said. I guess this thread will revive itself when an official announcement occurs, so no worries.

Hopefully it's after SOC...

Why is that?

I sense hostility....

I'm looking at a Delta base. Well I should say I'm looking at one of my future bases. If I get displaced I want the whole enchilada to choose from.

Not Official my any means, but my buddy is a 757 CA said he heard it last week at work. 12 months it will be gone according to him. It has been talked about as fact at work the last week or so he said. Going all belly space according to people at NWA.

Cargo from Asia has fallen off a cliff recently for all carriers, including UPS. UPS core (big revenue) product from Asia is packages. Packages are still doing well internationally. It's in fact still a gem in the UPS system. We have had many canceled flights lately from HKG and PVG. This primarily has to do with the lack of "freight" volume but not packages.

The only benefit for some will be ANC may become easier to get to. Maybe MSP and SEA won't be overloaded with NWA guys trying to get to work.

Bill Lentch (VP Flt Ops at NWA) stated at an instructors meeting last NOV that the cargo fleet was funded thru 09. After that "All bets are off" I guess there off

No hostility.

Just a recognition of what many Delta pilots knew was certain to happen. I don't think it's a stretch to say that the older 747's and the 9's at some point in the not to distant future will be phased out. Delta, as was posted above is taking deliveries (right now, 3 777's this month). It's also not a stretch to say that FNW guys will migrate south.

If the company is shrinking, displacements will happen. Therefore, if that happens, it is also probable that Delta folks will end up in MSP or DTW due to displacements. If the company wasn't shrinking then this really wouldn't be an issue.

This is a result of the merger, it's nothing personal, Im not trying to stir the pot. From a Delta guy's point of view it does seem that the NWA folks make out pretty good from the displacement standpoint. Im also sure that Im not seeing points that you guys have on this.

No hard feelings:D

Free Bird,

Edited my post down to ....

+1

I will echo Freebird's post above with a slight variation. -No hostility, your "hope" is just plain common sense for your individual situation. Thus, I'm sure you would take no offense knowing (if it needed to be known, or stated at all) that the vast majority of individual FDAL pilots are hoping this FNWA displacement from the FNWA freighters will happen well before SOC.

Edited for effect. +2 now...

'nuff said +3...

rvr: I stole your title, it seems so universal...

I agree, if I were FDAL I would too. We'll see.

I've heard rumors that management is going to give the freighters a test drive in South America. If that turns out successful they many have a new lease on life. That is good for everyone.

That's good news! I flew the 742 sim when i interviewed, and i was surprised at how easy to fly, and easy to land. As long as it's flown by mainline, i couldn't care less if it has 4 engines or a glider!

I heard the same rumor. The Orient is dead for cargo at the moment and is not expected to pick back up for several years. Lets hope something can happen to keep the airframes since displacements will trickle down throughout the sytem.