Freight only on a passenger plane - Page 8 - Airline Pilot Central Forums

#71

nitefr8dog , 05-05-2020 03:52 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vernon Demerest

I guess you didn’t read my full post? We are already “spooled”as much as we plan to be. I clearly stated it was only planned for a few months as the cargo revenue seen today is fully expected by my airline to fall off and we will discontinue cargo ops at that time.

Actually I did read your full post. Mine was a general statement regarding pax carriers flying freight...and the state of the cargo industry.
It was not directed at any particular airline (your's) just my take on where this is headed.

#72

cactusmike , 05-06-2020 10:29 PM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vernon Demerest

We (United) are starting to put cargo (nets being used as well as overhead bins I believe but no seat removal) in the cabins of 777/787/737 as well as the belly on cargo only flights. 2 flight attendants required on 737 and 4 on the wide bodies when cargo in cabin. Pilots rejoice as we have proven to be incapable of running the ovens and properly setting up trays with all courses etc by ourselves. Flight attendants will be there to serve as warning/suppression as our cabins lack detection and suppression in this regard. They are super excited about the easy gig I hear. Trips to central/South America as well as Europe/Asia. Helps slow the bleeding a bit at best and not forecasted to last but a few months as cargo demand is expected to fall off with economic recession and resumption of more passenger flights with belly freight opportunity resuming this Fall.

I’m heading to HKG tomorrow night. First trip I’ve flown in 3 months. I’m not sure if we are running belly only freight or cabin as well. I have no idea if we have any f/as. It will be interesting. My career is coming full circle.

#73

C17B74 , 05-07-2020 09:39 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusmike

Enjoy, it’s a different world.

#74

Vernon Demerest , 05-09-2020 02:33 PM

Gets Weekends Off

Supposedly, we are flying more cargo than Delta and American combined right now. Not at all thinking this is going to make or break us going forward, but if it only helps lower the cash burn per month and keeps our planes moving, let’s keep it up for as long as we can.

#75

nonrev dad , 02-25-2021 05:08 AM

Line Holder

...just curious if this experiment is still going on? Cargo in the seats?

#76

C17B74 , 02-25-2021 11:48 PM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonrev dad

...just curious if this experiment is still going on? Cargo in the seats?

Not really an experiment per say, rather a survival tactic in which it is profitable dependent upon load factor, routes, timing (cargo cost skyrocketed last year), etc. They wouldn’t have done it if it wasn’t profitable at some point, or just moving aircraft back from the international side of their structure to offset cost.

Unsure if has increased or decreased in scale or gone to zero for some carriers, but it is fairly obvious some remain in the game as you see a few pax jets in the cargo areas mingling about. Nothing on a significant scale by any means and other countries pax jets show up from time to time as well.

Talked to an American 787 Capt yesterday in ORD and he did several of these cargo runs and wished he had more. Maybe they did quit, but he certainly ranted on how no-drama it was...