Cargo and Pax

[Birdstrike]

Was just wondering if the cargo majors carry any pax regularly on their runs? Are your drivers, etc, for example, able to show up for a flight? Can they plan it in advance?

 

[Clyde]

Was just wondering if the cargo majors carry any pax regularly on their runs? Are your drivers, etc, for example, able to show up for a flight? Can they plan it in advance?

Hi 'Strike,

At Brown, the only people we can carry in our jumpseats are our own pilots, our mechanics, pilots from other carriers whose carriers have been approved, FAA officials, and certain company officials, typically the higher-ups in the airline, and military couriers. I'm not sure what the rule is with dispatchers and crew schedulers, if they can jumpseat at will or only for their quals.

I'm not sure what is set up at other carriers like FedEx and ABX.

- Clydester

 

[Whale Rider]

Hey Strike,

We can carry the people as stated above by UPS. Plus Cass members.

 

[Birdstrike]

Thanks for the info. I remember my first ride in the back of a C-141 loaded with my tac vehicles - I expected to grab a fold-down bench seat along the side when I noticed the most forward pallet had about 9 comfortable seats attached to it for pax. So they can carry a pallet of passengers when they want to, thought I.

I'm sure this idea has been considered/ rejected on the major cargo carriers even though it would be a great company perk for employees to be able to grab a hop.

Is it because space is at a premium and every available inch is given to revenue-producing cargo or is it more the liability/hassle factors associated with carrying a wider group of pax?

 

[Clyde]

Is it because space is at a premium and every available inch is given to revenue-producing cargo or is it more the liability/hassle factors associated with carrying a wider group of pax?

It's a combination of both plus a little more. The company uses the jumpseats to reposition crews around the world quite a bit. Also, from what I've been told, every available position for containers produces a ton of revenue per flight. I think that is why we don't see more seats on the airplanes.