747's at FedEx??

[Menace]

Today at O'Hare I saw a 747-200 with FedEx painted on the side of it. It wasn't in the typical purple and white colors, but it definitely said FedEx. How long have they had Jumbo's?? I'd never seen that before.
By the way...... Please call me for my interview!!



-Menace

 

[NightFlyer]

Well, we don't own any 747's. I'm not sure what you saw but I can assure you it wasn't ours. We did have 74's after the Tiger merger (before my time) but those aircraft haven't been in the fleet for some time now. Maybe Profile will have a better explanation.

NightFlyer

 

[Gumbydammit]

The 747-200F's (of which there were 5) were on an extended lease to Lufthansa from 1998-2008 as part of the A310 deal. Maybe that is off since Lufthansa is scaling back and FDX is getting them back or something...I did hear an isolated rumor about FDX getting back into the 747 business about 6 months ago but nothing since.

 

[Menace]

It was definitely FedEx. He was right behind us on an approach and he went by the call sign "FedEx 72" or some other number. I looked several times 'cuz I'd never seen one before.

-Menace

P.S. About that interview......

 

[dogg]

Nope not FedEx. What you were lookin at was an Atlas 747-200. They have the same paint scheme. But no logo. Why they painted there airplanes that way is a mystery

 

[Lazyrider]

Doesn't Atlas have some sort of a contract with FedEx?

 

[VaB]

When the Atlas guys, or anyone else for that matter, fly our stuff, I think they use the Fedex call sign. As for the plane you saw, who knows. I have seen a white 747 with a purple tail just like the Fedex planes, but it didn't say Fedex on it.

 

[Menace]

It was an all white 747-200 with FedEx painted pretty small on the side. FedEx was in the purple and orange letters. The rest of the plane was white. He went by the call sign "FedEx 72 heavy", or some other similar number. After he landed, he told ground that he needed to taxi to the FedEx ramp. I know what I saw and heard. Whether or not Atlas was flying it I don't know.
It seems strange that if it wasn't FedEx, why did the name on the plane say it and why did he use the call sign??
I don't expect anymore responses. I just thought maybe somebody would know something about it.

 

[b747dogg]

Any 747's on a FedEx ramp are wet leased from Atlas Air. FedEx wet leases many aircraft from Atlas when extra lift is needed. Also, Atlas customers can paint anything they want on the leased 747's. Atlas has had aircraft painted in China Air, British Airways, Thi Airways, Emirates, Cargolux, and many other colors. You can tell if it's an Atlas aircraft by a MC at the end of the N number unless the plane is foreign registered. Any all white or white with blue tail 747s most likely belong to Atlas. The Atlas logos disappeared for security reasons, but will be back soon. Just a little info if anyone cares, just got off a 20 hour duty day.
Have fun.

 

[Menace]

Thanks

Thanks for the info.

BTW, how does that 20 hour duty day work?


-Menace

 

[mar]

121 Supplemental = No duty day

I'd have to look it up to be perfectly clear but basically there is no "duty day" per se under 121 Supplemental (charter).

If there's an additional crewmember the max flight time in a 24 hour period is 12 hours.

Fly safe and rested.

 

[b747dogg]

There are no FAA duty day limits for international operations. Three man airplanes can fly 12 hours, which can be increased if additional crew members are assigned to the crew. Usually a contract or company policy sets duty day limits. Atlas has a 16 hour duty day which can be extended to 18 hours for a standard crew. For a heavy crew, the duty day is 20 hours which can be extended to 22 hours. I have personally been on an airplane for over 48 hours. This was done by finishing up a 16 hour day in India and staying on the plane to deadhead back to the states. This was my choice so I could get home 2 days early. Not that it was a wise choice. Have fun.

 

[Menace]

I learn something new every day. I thought 14 hour days were bad enough. There is something to be said for domestic operations. Although I'm sure you're making a little more than I am.

-Menace

 

[brucek]

I've always wondered why (except for the B727's) FedEx stays away from Boeing. Maybe it's just a coincidence from the fact that the DC10's became available before the classic B747's. (Comparing UPS, which seems to be full of B757/767/747 aircraft, as well as some MD's).

Thanks, and staying away from the Airbus / Boeing debate intentionally

Bruce.

 

[crevas]

it was pretty much all 727's and DC-10's until fred needed a sort facility in paris...then after working out an airbus order, the frogs were much more receptive. just a matter of cost, not preference.

 

[brucek]

Thanks.