Outsoucing Casket Duty

[pilotyip]

As seen in Navy Times last night, Kalitta Charters has been awarded a contract to fly caskets and remains of US troops from Dover AFB to their funeral locations. The contract which lcould last through July is worth up to $11,000,000. Kalitta will provide crews and four Falcon 20 jets to operate out of Dover. Kalitta begin its operations out of Dover on Jan 1st.

 

[B747FR8DAWG]

Well, we've been hauling a lot of flag draped caskets out of KWI, and bringing them into DOV, and always wondered how they got to their loved ones.

 

[frmrBUFFdrvr]

A very important job. Too bad it has to be done.

A salute to all my brothers and sisters wearing or have worn the uniform.

 

[TransMach]

Honor Duty

I'm with ya Buff, as you know. Lets hope and trust that our friends at Kalitta, as well as the other commercial operators associated in this duty will carry out their tasks with the decorum and respect so richly deserved of our fallen brothers in arms.

TransMach

 

[big pimpn']

I am sure they are one hundred and ten percent up for the job, and will do this country a great service bringing our brothers and sisters home to their loved ones.

 

[PastV1]

I think this should be done by military airlift. Not a charter outfit. No offense to the charter guys but think this job should be done in-house.......

Rest in peace my brothers....

Past.....

 

[big pimpn']

With a younger brother serving in Iraq, I agree. The transportation of flag draped caskets should be a military detail, no exceptions; however, if this contract has already been issued, I don’t see any alternative other than to give them full confidence and support as they fulfill their mission. As a former DA-20 cargo driver, I know the type of people that will be carrying out these sacred missions, and I am confident they will carry out the detail with grace and dignity.

 

[Heybill]

Casualty

I am a casualty officer for the Marine Corps here in the central valley of california. We just buried a young Marine from Merced on 27 Dec. We had to fly him from Dover to San Jose on Continental. Continental Airlines was very respectful and did an outstanding job of allowing myself and the family ramp access so that we could offload the remains in a dignified manner. The San Jose airport police also did an outstanding job with giving us police escort in and out of the city as well as ensuring we had special ramp access. I hope we don't have to do it again but it will be very nice to be able to fly the remains aboard a charter directly to the family's local airport. (SJC was a three hour drive for us late at night) I agree with the gentleman that suggested we bring them home aboard a military aircraft but I'm sure the folks at Kalitta will do a very good job.

Heybill

 

[frmrBUFFdrvr]

I am a casualty officer for the Marine Corps here in the central valley of california. We just buried a young Marine from Merced on 27 Dec. We had to fly him from Dover to San Jose on Continental. Continental Airlines was very respectful and did an outstanding job of allowing myself and the family ramp access so that we could offload the remains in a dignified manner. The San Jose airport police also did an outstanding job with giving us police escort in and out of the city as well as ensuring we had special ramp access. I hope we don't have to do it again but it will be very nice to be able to fly the remains aboard a charter directly to the family's local airport. (SJC was a three hour drive for us late at night) I agree with the gentleman that suggested we bring them home aboard a military aircraft but I'm sure the folks at Kalitta will do a very good job.

Heybill

I don't have a problem with civilians doing the duty. As shown here, they can do it every bit as respectfully. And at some point it becomes impractical for military crews to be tied up taking individuals vs. several returnees.

My concern would be that single crewmember with sentiments like the group that stages protests at funerals getting assigned to one of these flights. Hopefully the companys assigned the duty will weed out any such individuals.

 

[MD11Drvr]

I don't have a problem with civilians doing the duty. As shown here, they can do it every bit as respectfully. And at some point it becomes impractical for military crews to be tied up taking individuals vs. several returnees.

My concern would be that single crewmember with sentiments like the group that stages protests at funerals getting assigned to one of these flights. Hopefully the companys assigned the duty will weed out any such individuals.

I understand your point and concern. But I do feel reasonably confident that the other crew membes would not take disrespect lying down. In fact if I were to witness such actions someone would be lying down right after thier attitude adjustment. I am all for free speech and the right to disagree with the war but there is a time and a place and the funeral of a fallen warrrior is not it!

God speed to the Kallitta crews in thier sacred assignment.........

 

[ableone]

The reason this has been outsourced to a cargo carrier is that a family had to claim a casket at an airlines outsize packages desk. The military was not amused and decided to stop shipping on airlines.

 

[JimNtexas]

I think a chartered jet is an appropriate way for our fallen sons and daughters to take their last flight home.

I imagine that the family can meet these Falcons on an FBO ramp, with minimal issues with crowds and security when compared to using airliners.

I'm confident that the charter crews will treat these missions with the care and respect that they deserve.

 

[1917Dr1]

Kalitta The Best Choice

I personally know almost all of Kalitta's Falcon guys, and feel that they are the best choice for the job out of all the civvy falcon folks.

 

[Princedietrich]

One of Kalitta's falcons brought a Marine home to LUK last week. Looked like a very well run operation, and there were at least 6 other Marines along for the ride. I assume they were an honor guard of some sort.

 

[frmrBUFFdrvr]

One of Kalitta's falcons brought a Marine home to LUK last week. Looked like a very well run operation, and there were at least 6 other Marines along for the ride. I assume they were an honor guard of some sort.

Sounds to me like it's in good hands.

 

[hawk16e]

I understand your point and concern. But I do feel reasonably confident that the other crew membes would not take disrespect lying down. In fact if I were to witness such actions someone would be lying down right after thier attitude adjustment. I am all for free speech and the right to disagree with the war but there is a time and a place and the funeral of a fallen warrrior is not it!


+1

I don't know what the history of Connie's pilots, but a lot of pilots are former military. If another pilot did anything disrespecful, we would have a serious discussion.

 

[Junkflyer]

The military provides a lot of revenue for Connie on the 121 side as well. I'm sure he would not take a crewmember being disrespectful lightly.

 

[Russ]

Bill
Thanks for doing a tough job well. Getting a brother in arms home to rest has to be heart breaking and rewarding at the same time

From a former 0311

 

[Vspeeds]

Falcon 20's are Doug Kalitta's 135 gig, along with K2 (121 supplemental, few 727's & a DC9). Connie owns the 121 supplemental B747 ops.

Fly safe ya'll

 

[freightdawg]

Picked up freight the other night at Travis AFB (KSUU) and saw a transfer of remains from a Kalitta Falcon to an ATI DC8 bound for PHNL. All operations on the ramp and in the vicinity ceased immediately and the entire operation was handled quite well, with dignity.