timeless
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2005
- Posts
- 114
KSU,
I've flown feeder freight for UPS, DHL and Fedex, but most of my flying has been on-demand auto freight. It is a different game than feeder freight. There isn't a schedule and everything possible is done to increase efficiency without compromising safety. We're never in direct contact with the customer so there is no point for us to be wearing a uniform. At my current job I've never been asked to wear a uniform so I don't see how I could be whining about something I've never been asked to do. I like where I work and based on experiences from friends I think I would have also enjoyed working at Ameriflight. The Metroliner is about the baddest single pilot freighter out there. I'm sure it sharpens the skills quickly.
The MDX thing was supposed to be humorous. Read a little of the diarrhea in a freighter thread. Sometimes situations arise that result in unfortunate solutions. That day in MCI the ground handler told me that due to heavy TSA/Airport Authority surveillance I couldn't leave the vicinity of the A/C without an escort. I was stranded at my plane without access to a restroom when the handler unexpectedly left. After a four hour leg this was a problem. There were no bottles available and the Airplane was my only cover. I opened the back service door on the Shorts facing the taxiway. I checked for traffic and let er' rip. The MDX crew made a much shorter turnoff than I anticipated and I was busted. My FO was presented with a similar situation in ATL recently. He flagged down an Omni mechanic and used the lav on a DC-10. Brilliant decision. He'll make a good captain.
I've flown feeder freight for UPS, DHL and Fedex, but most of my flying has been on-demand auto freight. It is a different game than feeder freight. There isn't a schedule and everything possible is done to increase efficiency without compromising safety. We're never in direct contact with the customer so there is no point for us to be wearing a uniform. At my current job I've never been asked to wear a uniform so I don't see how I could be whining about something I've never been asked to do. I like where I work and based on experiences from friends I think I would have also enjoyed working at Ameriflight. The Metroliner is about the baddest single pilot freighter out there. I'm sure it sharpens the skills quickly.
The MDX thing was supposed to be humorous. Read a little of the diarrhea in a freighter thread. Sometimes situations arise that result in unfortunate solutions. That day in MCI the ground handler told me that due to heavy TSA/Airport Authority surveillance I couldn't leave the vicinity of the A/C without an escort. I was stranded at my plane without access to a restroom when the handler unexpectedly left. After a four hour leg this was a problem. There were no bottles available and the Airplane was my only cover. I opened the back service door on the Shorts facing the taxiway. I checked for traffic and let er' rip. The MDX crew made a much shorter turnoff than I anticipated and I was busted. My FO was presented with a similar situation in ATL recently. He flagged down an Omni mechanic and used the lav on a DC-10. Brilliant decision. He'll make a good captain.
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