go43andrti

Except for the South America runs. Everywhere we go has a loadmaster and a Mechanic, except for the Lan contract (and a military charter, although rare). If you work that, you will be staying at the lovely Homestead Studio Suites, traveling all over S.A.

No, there haven't been layoffs here in quite some time and providing there is no melt down coming, there SHOULDN'T be anytime soon. We are rather understaffed and will be for awhile. It does seem to be getting better, but has a LONG way to go.

Any more questions, let me know.

Regards

FEL1011

I am doing some Europe-Africa operations at this time and we have been rotating the guys in and out. For ad-hoc and infrequent stations the guys will ride the airplane. Most of the time the guys are out for 20+/- days at a stretch, same as the operating crews. Some contractors have been spotted and have mucho experience.

I hope this helps.

doogiebarnes

how long is upgrade right now?

Thedude

Talking to a SA guy last night in MIA. He was saying the upgrade could be as short as 3 months if you are qualified.

romeoKC10FE

Thanks, I can't wait to get out on the line!

Laughing_Jakal

Fig?

that you?

savannahceltic

Actually the word is that they are very into the idea of getting the B777F's. Seeing as the cost of fuel is going up and up, and the probability of the EU tossing on carbon taxing in the future, the economics of the type as a freighter are looking real attractive.

Add in the ability to non-stop and you have quite a few customers interested in an ACMI contract for multiple 777 Freighters. Southern is looking to lead the market by being the first ACMI with the B777, while others have committed themselves to the 747-400 or 8 model.

Which all seems logical, and obviously Oak Hill has the financial ability to make it happen, but like all rumored new aircraft, I'll believe it when it is online for a month or two.

savannahceltic

They inherited those aircraft from Cargo 360, and the lease agreements that were negotiated by them (C360) were so high, that they would have been operated at a loss each and every month they flew.

Not exactly rocket science to figure out why those 400's did not come online at Southern.

With the still-high costs of used 400's, it is more likely that Southern will stick with the classics for sometime (still a profitable niche for that type), and await the B777 instead.

longhauler

I am glad you found out what the leases were. Kalitta must be paying about the market rate then. That is where they are slated to go, Connie is as frugal as it gets and probably is not get raped over the price. My guess is SAH did not want only two of the 400's.

PS lease rates on 777's will be in the 1.5 million plus a month, that is not cheap.

savannahceltic

Lease rates are a negotiated item.

Chances are real good that once Southern said "no thanks", that the lessors had to go looking for another customer (quickly), and also had to be willing to lease those aircraft at a lower rate (than the C360 people agreed to).

Plus another thing that is different about Southern (than many of the other ACMI operators), is that they like to own their aircraft + engines, not lease them. That plus the additional cost of another fleet type, and the weight penalty of the stretched upper deck over the straight freighter, meant that they were not too excited about committing themselves into those specific 400BCF's.

As for the B777's, they are to be purchased, and yes they are expensive. But much like Atlas has customers interested enough to have paid for new 400's in the past, and -8's in the future, there seems to be a number of interested parties for for that type. Customers are willing to pay more for a B777 ACMI wetlease, when the substantial fuel and operational savings are factored in.

But that remains to be seen if it will actually play out. I've been around long enough to know that even financial logic does not equal airplane acquisition reality. What is known is that there are a number of decent Classic airframes available with GE engines out there, and Southern's growth will center on that area for the time being.