I have done some research in generic express air fleet scheduling. Generally, the nightly fleet schedule involves x number of aircraft leaving the same number of cities enroute to the hub each night. Along the way some will make one or two enroute stops and others will fly nonstop to the hub. The same would be true of the return flights to the cities of origin.

Would this accurately describe the nightly fleet schedule at UPS and FedEx? If so, are there significant changes from month to month?

Correct, Sam. During the months leading up to Christmas it's not unusual to see additional airplanes added for the increased freight.
fbh

Careful now. New poster asking schedule questions that border on SSI.

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.

You're right, X. Next thing he'll be asking are our catering parameters.

fbh

On behalf of pilots at both carriers, please keep your "optimization" to yourself.

I'm interested in that. What do you see as the negative effects of process improvements on the crews? My algorithm cannot deliver optimization.

Or he will be asking "What Airline"?

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.