Astar Future Plans?

[pmmartin]

Hello All,

I have a pending job offer from Astar for the May 5th class. Seems like a good company with quality people. I can deal with the first year pay cut, but I'm really worried about the upgrade time. A few years on the panel is no problem, but 8-9 years, Ouch! I can't go 3 weeks without flying and not notice the difference. So far no luck finding something part-time corporate. Any Astar folks who can give any insight regarding new(er) airplanes, expansion, re-fleet, etc. would be much appreciated. I read most of the older posts so I have some idea what's going on.

Thanks

 

[hvydriver]

Hey PM, plenty of recent posts on what's going on here at AAC. Pretty much sums it up. We may grow, we may not. We don't, you're an SO for over a decade. We grow, maybe less than a decade.

 

[AV8OR]

You wouldn't happen to be flying out of BHM now would you?

If so, I might be able to meet you and bring you up to speed on things.

 

[flyinboxes]

Unfortunately for you, your class date comes just prior to May's announcement by DHL. What will it be? Who knows, but I believe it will create a clearer picture of things to come (or not come)for Astar. I would say, come on over, wait for May's announcement, if you don't like it, run like hell. Things are finally coming to a head and the entire summer will be an interesting time around here. It is a crap shoot just like anything else in life.

 

[Midnight Flyer]

You can't go 3 weeks without flying?
Personally, I'd gladly sit sideways for 8-9 years, especially since it will be just short of a 6 figure position.

 

[shooter]

Unfortunately for you, your class date comes just prior to May's announcement by DHL. What will it be? Who knows, but I believe it will create a clearer picture of things to come (or not come)for Astar. I would say, come on over, wait for May's announcement, if you don't like it, run like hell. Things are finally coming to a head and the entire summer will be an interesting time around here. It is a crap shoot just like anything else in life.

I know you said you don't know what the May announcement for the DHL plans will be, but do you think it will have to do with air operations? The reason I ask is because that would clearly be a case of poop running uphill. The problems that are causing DHL to lose a billion $$ a year are clearly the customers that came with the Airborne purchase are running as if the hills are on fire. Whatever they are doing different are pushing customers away. While the air operations have problems, they do not equate to the customer losses. There were problems with integration similar to what DHL is experiencing again over in Europe. But that was a long time ago and to have continued customer loss is a long shot to blame air. I feel (not that that means anything) the problems are within the ground network they have so screwed up. I think that is why the FedEx rumors were being tossed around. They were talking because thats where the problems are. Now if Fred said something like; yes we will take your ground delivery operations to remote locations but only if we get some or all of the air operations, then it gets real bad. Until then I do not see, hope we do not see, a loss in the air operations. You can't spread butter that thin and have it be butter.

 

[Cargoav8or]

Hello All,

I have a pending job offer from Astar for the May 5th class. Seems like a good company with quality people. I can deal with the first year pay cut, but I'm really worried about the upgrade time. A few years on the panel is no problem, but 8-9 years, Ouch! I can't go 3 weeks without flying and not notice the difference. So far no luck finding something part-time corporate. Any Astar folks who can give any insight regarding new(er) airplanes, expansion, re-fleet, etc. would be much appreciated. I read most of the older posts so I have some idea what's going on.

Thanks

Expansion and growth depend on how much the company wants back in pay and work rules to obtain the 76's. Right now they say Polar is more competitive and we are in talks. We will see. If we do get the 76's than it may be great, unless they decide to park the buses. You would then probably be furloughed (unless its within the first 2 yrs of the contract signing) do to over staffing.

Just a guess. Anything could happen though, the stars could align and you could be sittin pretty. Good luck with your decision.

 

[shooter]

Expansion and growth depend on how much the company wants back in pay and work rules to obtain the 76's. Right now they say Polar is more competitive and we are in talks. We will see. If we do get the 76's than it may be great, unless they decide to park the buses. You would then probably be furloughed do to over staffing.

Just a guess. Anything could happen though, the stars could align and you could be sittin pretty. Good luck with your decision.

Where did you hear you were getting 76's? Rumor or are you and maintenance training for them? ABX has and is still looking for every good 76 they can get their hands on. Behind the power curve for the 76 just like every cargo operator is behind the power curve for 75's since FedEx will be sucking up every one that comes available.

 

[Cargoav8or]

Where did you hear you were getting 76's? Rumor or are you and maintenance training for them? ABX has and is still looking for every good 76 they can get their hands on. Behind the power curve for the 76 just like every cargo operator is behind the power curve for 75's since FedEx will be sucking up every one that comes available.

Talking about the DHL ER's shooter. None others.

 

[shooter]

Talking about the DHL ER's shooter. None others.

Those new ones DHL bought? I would have sworn those would have gone to their EU airline since they are ER's exclusive to international flights. Good to hear American pilots could still be in the running for them. Our economy needs every job it can get.


p.s. And that was before all the people that lost their jobs from the airlines that just shut down.
p.p.s. SCREW OPEN SKIES!

 

[hvydriver]

Those new ones DHL bought? I would have sworn those would have gone to their EU airline since they are ER's exclusive to international flights. Good to hear American pilots could still be in the running for them. Our economy needs every job it can get.


p.s. And that was before all the people that lost their jobs from the airlines that just shut down.
p.p.s. SCREW OPEN SKIES!

I don't really think we're much in the running. I think they'll go to DHLAviation. And, fwiw Shooter, I agree with you in your earlier post that the probs. DHL has are not with either airline, but with the ground network. Unfortuneatly, I think we're going to bear the brunt of the restructure though.

 

[shooter]

I don't really think we're much in the running. I think they'll go to DHLAviation. And, fwiw Shooter, I agree with you in your earlier post that the probs. DHL has are not with either airline, but with the ground network. Unfortuneatly, I think we're going to bear the brunt of the restructure though.

If thats true then thats just wrong and sucks. I will continue to hope for the best.

 

[TWA]

When a company goes in the sh!tter, the fastest and easiest thing to liquidate is the aviation side. It doesn't matter if it's a small company with 1 citation, or a large shipping company, aircraft are almost always first to go.

 

[Whistlin' Dan]

I feel (not that that means anything) the problems are within the ground network they have so screwed up. I think that is why the FedEx rumors were being tossed around. They were talking because thats where the problems are. Now if Fred said something like; yes we will take your ground delivery operations to remote locations but only if we get some or all of the air operations, then it gets real bad. Until then I do not see, hope we do not see, a loss in the air operations.

As I understand it, the ground network feeds the air network, which feeds the sort, which again feeds the air and ground networks. The only part that the customer sees or cares about is the ground network...the guy who pick-up and delivers his packages.

Do you think that FedEx would be willing to take on responsibility for "only" the ground delivery portion of this process, or will they want control of everything that comes in between, such as air ops and sort? Are FedEx tracking and handling systems compatible with ABX/Astar, and who will load the planes? What does FedEx pilot's contract say about the company using ACMI carriers to haul FedEx-branded freight?

 

[shooter]

When a company goes in the sh!tter, the fastest and easiest thing to liquidate is the aviation side. It doesn't matter if it's a small company with 1 citation, or a large shipping company, aircraft are almost always first to go.

True, but if you are in the express business you need aircraft and lots of them. Unless Mr.Scotty teaches them how to "beam" packages across the country.

If they cut back on planes they cut back on express service and will no longer be an express service provider. And that goes against every move they have made. If they wanted to only be a trucking company they should have bought one.

 

[shooter]

As I understand it, the ground network feeds the air network, which feeds the sort, which again feeds the air and ground networks. The only part that the customer sees or cares about is the ground network...the guy who pick-up and delivers his packages.

Do you think that FedEx would be willing to take on responsibility for "only" the ground delivery portion of this process, or will they want control of everything that comes in between, such as air ops and sort? Are FedEx tracking and handling systems compatible with ABX/Astar, and who will load the planes? What does FedEx pilot's contract say about the company using ACMI carriers to haul FedEx-branded freight?

Well I'm not a ground guy so I don't really know much of what you are asking. But when it comes to pick-ups I think its safe to say most are from business locations and majority of packages are delivery in the rural areas. So I think FedEx could easily handle delivery of the packages as could the Post Office to the rural areas. If DHL only had half (and I would think it would take less than that) of the vehicles doing pick-ups while FedEx does delivery, it could be done. But like I said I'm an air guy and not a ground guy, plus keep in mind that DHL said they do not need a partner. Who knows where it would go but I feel very strong about the air network being stretched thin as it is. Any thinner and they would essentially be out of the express business. But my opinions are bias, of course.

p.s. To answer if FedEx would take on the delivery portion, I would ask why not? If they could reduce their costs by half with DHL picking up the other, it would mean HUGE savings. Do you know I see a DHL van and a FedEx van come through my neighborhood almost daily? Now if one van had both packages to deliver it would save both companies. Plus I think my FedEx driver is much nicer than my DHL driver as he does not speed through my streets where children playing signs are posted all over.

 

[TWA]

True, but if you are in the express business you need aircraft and lots of them. Unless Mr.Scotty teaches them how to "beam" packages across the country.

If they cut back on planes they cut back on express service and will no longer be an express service provider. And that goes against every move they have made. If they wanted to only be a trucking company they should have bought one.

I don't think it really goes against every move that they have made. How many 9's have been parked? How many cities are now trucked? They are trying to run an express company as cheaply as possible, by eliminating aircraft wherever possible. Before too long, the entire DHL network will be a fleet of Geo Metros scurrying across the country trying to get a box from EWR to LAX by 1030. Shame on us Americans for expecting our packages on time.

 

[shooter]

I don't think it really goes against every move that they have made. How many 9's have been parked? How many cities are now trucked? They are trying to run an express company as cheaply as possible, by eliminating aircraft wherever possible. Before too long, the entire DHL network will be a fleet of Geo Metros scurrying across the country trying to get a box from EWR to LAX by 1030. Shame on us Americans for expecting our packages on time.

Thats funny, TWA. But DHL offers that package and we pay a premium price for it. If they want to take the express option off the menu, then so be it.

 

[TWA]

Thats funny, TWA. But DHL offers that package and we pay a premium price for it. If they want to take the express option off the menu, then so be it.

I agree 100%. From looking at DHL's past moves, it is a very slippery slope. They will offer very unreliable service before they cancel the service.

 

[shooter]

You know, we all talk about planes getting reduced, trucks getting reduced, competitors taking our boxes to doors but when it comes right down to it DHL is just losing customers. If they did not lose customers planes would be full, trucks would be full, our competitors would be looking at us deliver our boxes by plane, truck, van and courier. So bottom line is they can cut and cut and cut but the bleeding is coming from customers going. Find out why they are leaving and fix it that way the only thing we would be discussing is what new routes each company would be getting rather than which ones are lost.

Hey you want rumor? How about FedEx and UPS are price fixing large customer accounts to drive DHL under. Naaaa, sounds too much like an excuse.