Continental's Fleet Plan

[cal73cap]

I talked to a management pilot friend of mine, and he has been asked by Cal management to look at 4 ex-ATA B757-300 located in California. These are ETOPS aircraft that could be used internationally. Was supposed to fly out to the desert to take a look tomorrow, but trip has been postponed for a few days. Maybe the new system bid will have addtional openings.

 

[lookin4better]

Good news! Hope this happens!

When is the system bid?

 

[Cpt Oveur]

Those airplanes are first going to spend some time at an MRO, most likely Cascade, like the other -300 airframes from ATA did. It's a 2 month visit if memory serves correcly. It's highly doubtful they'll make it in time for the summer schedule, although it's great news either way. Glad to see they didn't go to NWA.

 

[JAM-BRO]

Those airplanes are first going to spend some time at an MRO, most likely Cascade, like the other -300 airframes from ATA did. It's a 2 month visit if memory serves correcly. It's highly doubtful they'll make it in time for the summer schedule, although it's great news either way. Glad to see they didn't go to NWA.

They wouldn't go to NWA since they have RR engines. We use Pratts.

 

[tmac3333]

System bid projection is mid-May, results in late May

 

[LJDRVR]

Those airplanes are first going to spend some time at an MRO, most likely Cascade, like the other -300 airframes from ATA did. It's a 2 month visit if memory serves correctly. It's highly doubtful they'll make it in time for the summer schedule, although it's great news either way. Glad to see they didn't go to NWA.

Did that happen with all of them?

The reason I ask, is I recall one weekend we were in and out of Houston and saw one sitting on the MX ramp in full ATA livery. We both opinioned how it would soon be on its way to the paint shop.

The next morning, we returned to see it with struck titles, a blue tail (With the exception of the rudder, of course) and small CAL logos on the forward fuselage.

It was sitting on a gate with bags being loaded.

 

[SMOE]

System bid projection is mid-May, results in late May

It depends whom you ask. From what I'm hearing, probably not.

 

[AWACoff]

It depends whom you ask. From what I'm hearing, probably not.

Since they have to give us 10 days notice of a system bid, they are running out of time to make it happen mid month. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Cpt Oveur]

Did that happen with all of them?

The reason I ask, is I recall one weekend we were in and out of Houston and saw one sitting on the MX ramp in full ATA livery. We both opinioned how it would soon be on its way to the paint shop.

The next morning, we returned to see it with struck titles, a blue tail (With the exception of the rudder, of course) and small CAL logos on the forward fuselage.

It was sitting on a gate with bags being loaded.

The airplane is not ready to enter CAL's fleet just with a paint job. The avionics are configured differently, and need to be brought up to CAL's Op Spec's prior to entering service. While I believe you saw one that didn't get a paint job, it definitely had to be retrofitted for CAL's standards. Some of the avionics equipment was not of the same manufacturer, and I believe an ADF was required, or had to be removed (can't remember which way) but the problem was that small box was a 6 figure item.

 

[Dr.Hwang]

Doesn't it take many months to reconfigure another carrier's aircraft. My initial thought would be at least six plus months before it is out on the line. Do they have to do flight and certification tests?

 

[Cpt Oveur]

Doesn't it take many months to reconfigure another carrier's aircraft. My initial thought would be at least six plus months before it is out on the line. Do they have to do flight and certification tests?

The short answer is it depends. It definitely does an acceptance flight(s). Most of the reason it takes a long time is not the physical labor but also the paperwork and recordkeeping. I am not sure if ATA leased these airplanes, but leased airplanes transfering to a different carrier has both its bolts and books looked over very carefully, you'd think the plane was undergoing a C check. Six months, though? I don't think the last ground of ATA 753s going to call were up there that long, but it must be at least 2-3 months I think.

I think CAL's original 753's are etops capable, but when they first bought them it was not their intention to send them transatlantic, it doesn't have the range of a -200. Same reason winglets weren't put on right away like the -200s, the load factor it put on the wing was beyond normal parameters or something like that. Who knows though, CAL never intended to put 757s across the pond when it first bought them. If anyone is going to innovate and find new ways to make things work, CAL will be the one.

 

[Pickle]

I'm glad you like our planes so much........

Always happy to help.

 

[Phrogs4ever]

Since they have to give us 10 days notice of a system bid, they are running out of time to make it happen mid month. I'll believe it when I see it.

That info was in the monthly Bid Award Update dated April 28. But "mid" month can meet anyone's definition.

 

[HalinTexas]

All ATA aircraft save the L1011's were leased.

 

[Scarabus]

Does it take an act of congress to get a call from them if you don't have an internal referral? I've had my info with airlineapps for nearly two years and been to a few job fairs that they attended and still nothing. But I don't expect anything right now due to slow down of interviews. Just wondering.

 

[Dr.Hwang]

Five weeks for me. Purely black magic.

 

[Jonny Sacko]

Lets all hope Chunky Prater doesn't get involved ANYWHERE in the aircraft size, mid may bid, or fleet resizing. If so, age 95 guys will be retyped in the short course followed by an elaborate meal for chunky himself, and a speech about his love for pilots!

 

[Flopgut]

Chunky might be in a little trouble at this next EB meeting.

 

[ATRCA]

Does it take an act of congress to get a call from them if you don't have an internal referral? I've had my info with airlineapps for nearly two years and been to a few job fairs that they attended and still nothing. But I don't expect anything right now due to slow down of interviews. Just wondering.

It takes WAY MORE than an act of Congress if you don't have any internal recs. Frankly, without internals I don't think you can get the call at all. It took me 2.5 years, I had 10 internal recs, over 6K total, lots of PIC and two types. In the end I got lucky and found a schoolhouse checkairman to look my stuff up. If and when hiring resumes (could be a long time) you will need to find some internals and from everything I have heard the job fairs are a must.

Good luck.

 

[tmac3333]

Does it take an act of congress to get a call from them if you don't have an internal referral? I've had my info with airlineapps for nearly two years and been to a few job fairs that they attended and still nothing. But I don't expect anything right now due to slow down of interviews. Just wondering.

Right now, it probably does take an act of congress. Something like re-regulation. I wouldn't call this a "slow down" of interviews. I think it's a stop of interviews, for the rest of the 2008 is what I'm hearing. As for the system bid not coming out in the next couple of weeks, why wouldn't it?

 

[list2002]

There were a couple guys before the slow down that only had internal recs from 1 month in training new hires... all in the timing.

 

[AWACoff]

Right now, it probably does take an act of congress. Something like re-regulation. I wouldn't call this a "slow down" of interviews. I think it's a stop of interviews, for the rest of the 2008 is what I'm hearing. As for the system bid not coming out in the next couple of weeks, why wouldn't it?

Believe it when you see it. The system bid has been postponed.

 

[lookin4better]

They have stopped interviewing.

As for the postponement ( sp ) of the bid......could this be to formulate a new plan as a result of the 'not to merge ' decision?

 

[SuperFLUF]

......... As for the system bid not coming out in the next couple of weeks, why wouldn't it?

Probably waiting to see what the 'ell happens with oil prices and the economy. Things are a bit too uncertain/unknown right now to come up with a plan. It seems smart to wait as long as possible so that there aren't any wasted training cycles. Since the last bid was in Jan., the longest they can wait is July.

Kellner told one of our pilots yesterday that the latest plan (probably changed 25 times by now) is to park 52 classic 737's in the fall. Take that with a grain of salt but it does coincide with statements made during last month's earnings conference call. That would create one hell of a training cycle if they don't leave the 737's fat on staffing. So why put a bid out this month, start some of the training created by it, and then maybe change it again if oil prices drop or somebody finds a genie in a bottle that can gift us our own personal refinery.

 

[tmac3333]

Good response SuperFLUF. They haven't done a lot with the Jan system bid anyway, at least as far as I can tell. They could either do what you are saying or get one out now, get another one out say late summer and another one out next January, which was what is out there on the Apr 28 bid results. Either way, here's hoping for early payouts to the senior guys to help get them towards retirement quicker.

 

[AWACoff]

There has to be a system bid at least once every 8 months and at least 2 per calender year. The latest the next bid can be out is September.

 

[SuperFLUF]

There has to be a system bid at least once every 8 months and at least 2 per calender year. The latest the next bid can be out is September.

You're right, 8 months. I was going by (bad) memory.

I highly doubt they will offer enough of an incentive to increase the retirement numbers.

Right now it seems the retirements are mostly driven by what the interest rate is doing in relation to the pension. I had 11 (wow 11 ) go out senior to me this month. I'm guessing we may see another "big" wave in November before the next pension lump sum reset.

 

[cal73cap]

They are currently looking at the ATA aircraft, but they do want Boeing to spend the money to do the galleys and interior. Big problem is that there are no Continental seats to be had. Lead time is about 14 months for new seats. Will see how they work around that one.

 

[Ex737Driver]

I'm guessing we may see another "big" wave in November before the next pension lump sum reset.

Ya gotta think bigger than that.........how about furloughs of the age 60+ guys first???!!!!!

:beer: ​

 

[Ex737Driver]

They are currently looking at the ATA aircraft, but they do want Boeing to spend the money to do the galleys and interior. Big problem is that there are no Continental seats to be had. Lead time is about 14 months for new seats. Will see how they work around that one.

Well, if we're parking 52 aircraft , there will be plenty of seats availble with each 737-500 holding 106 coach and each 737-300 holding 112 coach. Not sure if the 737 first seats will work on the 757 or not.