Good fedex rumor

[Gumbydammit]

I heard from a FDX friend that the American MD-11's are coming on line and that FDX is buying Delta's old MD-11's as well as a possible deal with Lufthansa for theirs (didn't know that had them)....all this for the Asia cargo growth and possible new routes over there...maybe even several slots from UAL. Can anyone confirm any of this? Profile? Albie? Bueller? Bueller?

 

[md8pilot]

Keep those FedEx rumors coming! Even if they aren't true they sure make me feel better!!

 

[vschip]

parked next to a silver MD-11 with the American painted over at LAX last week, and saw another one at the maint site just south of the approach end of 27 in MEM last week as well. Jumpseating home on a MD-11, the capt said we are getting the American MD-11's, 4 now, and 4-5 more after the new year, not painting them due to peak(just like the united dc-10's, weren't those just supposed to be for peak last year??) Getting Delta's MD-11's make sense, just haven't heard of it, and no clue about the Lufthansa planes. Hope that helps some.

 

[AlbieF15]

There are in fact 2 new silver MD11s that used to belong to AAL on the ramp. An FCIF even made mention of the fact to the pilot force last week.

What I don't know, however, is if these were airframes earmarked for purchase a long time ago or a recent add on to the plan. For whatever reason, Bruce Cheever will not call me to discuss long term fleet growth and business plans. I'm sure I could give him tons of good advice

Our fleet plan has called for the expansion of the MD11 fleet for some time. However, the Swiss Air order cancellation took 19 jets off that long range plan. I don't know if extra MD11s from other sources will ultimately raise or lower the original target number.

Ultimately, this is the jet I want to fly most of my career at FedEx. I have an affinity for McAir products, and I want to fly international. So...I'm as rumor hungry as anyone else on the boards.

 

[active_herk]

Here is another rumor for you that I just heard.

According to sources, FedEx is looking to have 130+ MD-11/10s on the property by sometime in 2008, with 2400 crewmembers flying them. Presently, we have nearly 1000 crewmembers at MEM, ANC, and LAX. That means we need to train 1400 new pilots in the Maddog in the next six years. Take into account attrition for retirements and guys leaving the MD to go to other equipment, and you may have as many as 500 more training cycles required. What does all this mean? It means that we have 1900 training cycles over the next six years, or more than 300/year (25/month). This is nearly triple what we are currently doing. By the way, that assumes we don't have anyone bust training during that time, which unfortunately does occur every once in a while. Now factor in the semi-annual PC/PTs, and I think the training department is going to be one very busy place over the next six years!

 

[VaB]

Man, I'm gone for a few days, and the rumors are flying and I miss all the good stuff. I still stand by the 7000 pilots by 2007. All these other rumors substantiate it! I can't even imagine that training department trying to do 25 guys a month. They'll fold up.

By the way Albie, I think we are still getting the Swissair 11s. I think we were just waiting until they were really cheap. I've heard also that we are getting the Delta maddogs. We'll also get UPS's when we buy them, but that may be stretching the rumor mill quite a bit.

I also saw that 747 painted in FedEx colors, minus the actual word FedEx on it, so.... what could that indicate?

Good stuff.

 

[FastCargo]

Speaking of 747s...

Just to throw something else on the rumor mill fire...

About had an accident driving in San Antonio today by the airport when my wife notices a 747 tail sticking out of a hanger at SAT...painted in a dark purple color...

We took care of some stuff downtown and came back to the airport, and stopped for a closer look. Darned if it wasn't a white 747-200 with a FedEx looking paint scheme (minus the name of course)! But the color was slightly off...more of a dark purplish blue than a pure purple. The jet was a cargo conversion...and otherwise the paint scheme was identical to our jets! Only sad thing, was the number was N508MC...anyone know who MC is?

So close, and yet so far...

FastCargo

 

[mar]

Are you serious?

N-xxxMC = Michael Chowdery.

He was the dude behind Atlas Air Cargo. "Was" because he's dead now.

All of those mysterious 747s with purple tails are Atlas aircraft.

Read into that whatever you like.

 

[FastCargo]

Ah...that explains it...

Hey, cut me some slack... I've only been in this civilian thing for a year and a few months...

FastCargo

 

[Gearup727]

I hear from a pretty reliable source tonight that FedEx is buying the 19 Swiss Air MD11s for 33 million a piece. They were going to be 60 million each before 911. UPS is abandoning it's procurement of MD-11s. The two American MD-11 on the ramp at FedEx are the last of the American airplanes. They are looking at the 13 (I think) Delta airplanes but those have Pratt & Whitney engines and are less desirable. The 33 million dollar Swiss Air airplanes will need doors and conversion, which costs 7 million each and is less than the current DC-10 to MD-10 mods. I also heard from a less reliable source they bought 6 Airbus airplanes and have parked them. I heard they got a deal on them also.

 

[active_herk]

You see those Atlas 747s all the time up in Anchorage. I haven't been close enough to tell, but I've heard they even have "Operated by Atlas Air for FedEx Express" written on the side (in small letters).

Man, I'm gone for a few days, and the rumors are flying and I miss all the good stuff. I still stand by the 7000 pilots by 2007. All these other rumors substantiate it! I can't even imagine that training department trying to do 25 guys a month. They'll fold up.

Sounds good regarding the 7000. For the guys out there who are looking to come to FedEx, unfortunately the 1400 new MD pilots won't necessitate 1400 new hires. Many of them will come from the DC-10 which will slowly be going away as they all get converted to MD-10s. Don't know off hand how many DC-10 crewmembers there are, but I know quite a few are the over 60 engineers.

 

[Gearup727]

FDX used Atlas to service contracted lift for the military. It is not Federal Express cargo. I think the contarct is with the Big FDX company and Air Mobility Command. Trade Winds also flys FDX stuff out of BQN to the east cost.

 

[profile]

The LH MD-11s are not for sale, they'd like more. Word is the UPS is not getting more than the 13 of them and not in the market. FedEx wants 19 more MD-11s (over and above the AA aircraft that were already purchased). Currently there are 42 MD-11s and 20 MD-10s, with the total of MD-10s to go to 89. FedEx is negotiating with both SR and DL for theirs, I know that the $33 mil price tag is in the ballpark of what they want to buy them for. Both the SR and DL MD-11s have Pratt engines, so that part of the rumor is not accurate. We are increasing MD-11 training to 12 crews/month in about 3 months and that is expected to continue indefinitely.

 

[Huck]

Then it's time for a BID!!!!!

 

[mar]

Slack to Fast Cargo

Fast Cargo--I apologize.

I know you military guys don't follow the trade as closely as some of us do.

Just try to remember us when we're trying to jumpseat on your FedEx MD-11 as I'm sure you'll get there before me.

I'm almost positive.

 

[FastCargo]

No big deal...

Hey Mar,

No need to apologize...but thanks anyway!

I wish our jumpseating policy could change as well...new FAA rules caused the company to outright cancel off line jumpseats. All us pilot types are KEENLY aware of the problems this is causing with other airlines. Last thing we want is for you guys to drop us in response. Here's hoping the FAA, ALPA, and the company can find a way to fix this...

But what do I know...I'm just a line poag...

FastCargo

 

[USMCFDX]

The United DC-10's were not painted because we lease them. Rumor was we wanted to get out of the lease, but United said we will take them back, but you are still paying.
Md-11 training is backed up and going as fast as they can. I have seen my class date slide 3 months already though.

Fly Safe

 

[nightrider]

delta md-11s

Ups already had a contract in place with boeing to deliver these md-11's, when the announcement was made. The delta md-11 will go to ups, however probably every other md-11 in the world will go to fdx.

n

 

[profile]

UPS was in talks, but there is no firm contract in place at all for the Delta aircraft. UPS has said they don't want any aircraft over the JAL MD-11s and the ones from South America, 13 total.

 

[nightrider]

I believe your information is faulty. Ups is receiving 19 total. I heard this from our D.O. 2 months ago, at a communication meeting. These are firm orders not options, there are options for 22 more. Ups was offered these md-11's before delta made the announcement 2 months ago.