Southern Air Recalling?

[Colonel Savage]

Is it true? Heard a class starts on Monday?

Bueller....Bueller...Bueller?

 

[spitfire1500]

Talked to a friend yesterday that was furloughed there and he had just finished requaling. Sounds like 777 classes start in Oct at SA.

 

[avbug]

Kalitta just recalled.

 

[Colonel Savage]

Talked to a friend yesterday that was furloughed there and he had just finished requaling. Sounds like 777 classes start in Oct at SA.

How are things on the LCF, SF? Are you guys flying much?

 

[johnsonrod]

What does the 777 delivery rate look like? How many 777s will actually replace older 747s?

Also, what is the typical schedule like for SA pilots? Is it still something like 18 days out at a time?

 

[dakotaHC8]

Everyone (including the furloughed FE's) that wanted to return has done so, many of the furloughed (or vol leave) pilots and FE's have completed refresher training in MIA, and are online and on the road already. (or soon will be)

Basically there has been a pickup in flying at the same time as the company ramps up for B777 training. An equipment bid was processed, and the first 777F class starts in Oct. Additional classes are planned for DEC. Right now there are also about 4 pilots in 747 upgrade...

Right now our scheduled flying is with Korean Air. Everything else is ADHOC. This ranges from DOD/Military flying worldwide to Euro/African to Middle East contracts. We have stopped most of our South American flying for the time being.

The latest word on B777F deliveries is two arrivals in the first part of this coming year. The new aircraft will be used for scheduled contracts for unannounced customers. The Equipment bid has created a lot of movement on the Seniority List, so the recalls were needed to cover the load.

Without speculating too much, the Company appears to want to bring all of it's current fleet back online, and then add a few new 777's this coming year. New Hire Classes have not been announced, but it is obviously not a huge stretch of the imagination to foresee some hiring in the near future.

But be forewarned. There is cargo flying out there to be had, but it is not the "walk in the park" scheduled flying, it is almost all ADHOC. What this means is that you essentially work a reserve line, and have your trips assigned to you as you go. You really don't know where or when you will be flying, and last minute changes are commonplace.

Schedules usually range between 16-18 days on right now (home basing with travel to/from during days on), as the Company is still trying to keep most Aircrew under our 60 hour Pay Guarantee, and keeping us out for the full 20 days would incur trip rig pay over the guarantee. But if a trip pops up and they need it covered, then you might have to wait a bit to return home.

So in a nutshell, Southern might be hiring in the near future. But it will be a crazy year with the new aircraft, so if you are inflexible or do not adapt well to change, then it is not the Airline for you.

Southern Air is a supplemental cargo carrier, flying mostly international Adhoc to a myriad of locations. They are also in a growth phase bringing on a brand new fleet type at the same time. This might not be every pilot's "cup of tea", but others can make it work.

Hope this info helps.

 

[bigsky]

The 777Fs sound like they will be very popular, and a great airplane to fly.
Just wondering from the ACMI or adhoc market, will the customers pay enough to cover the cost? I am guessing this must have a lease rate well over a million a month? This is probably ok for scheduled cargo but find this probably too expensive for adhoc?

 

[NEDude]

Kalitta just recalled.

Everyone or just a few?

 

[lionflyer]

Everyone or just a few?

Just a few. About 9 I think.

 

[dakotaHC8]

We have been told that the B777F's will be used for scheduled service, each one assigned to a specific customer.

 

[avbug]

Everyone or just a few?

Three FE's and eight FO's, as it worked out. 6 captain positions came open, followed by some slight expansion and back filling.

 

[johndog]

Are you guys CASS? If not, why?

 

[avbug]

Why guys?

 

[spitfire1500]

How are things on the LCF, SF? Are you guys flying much?

I've been on vacation. But there has been LCF flying but ony two birds are crewed out of 4. One is usually in Marana getting swapped in and out and #4 is sitting in China.
Rumor is that EZ has acquired 400 freighters, I was just told to get a China visa (but we all know how that goes...until your sitting in it...).
Glad to hear all the Freightdawgs are starting to get back to work.

 

[sgu]

Not all....Atlas is still reducing the fleet count. No recalls on the horizon.

 

[Colonel Savage]

I've been on vacation. But there has been LCF flying but ony two birds are crewed out of 4. One is usually in Marana getting swapped in and out and #4 is sitting in China.
Rumor is that EZ has acquired 400 freighters, I was just told to get a China visa (but we all know how that goes...until your sitting in it...).
Glad to hear all the Freightdawgs are starting to get back to work.

Thanks!

 

[dakotaHC8]

Are you guys CASS? If not, why?

Are you talking about Southern...? This thread has mentioned a few carriers.

If you are asking about Southern, we are not on the CASS system because

a.) It costs money, and until Southern has to pay for such a thing, they will not do so.

b.) We don't really jumpseat. We are issued tickets for travel to and from our home (to/from wherever the plane happens to be). If I personal travel anymore, I just use accumulated FF miles...

Sounds strange, not having the jumpseat if you have grown accustomed to it, but honestly I have never missed it. Commuting to work sucks, I really don't miss that.

 

[B747FR8DAWG]

Atlas just recalled 13 pilots

 

[avbug]

Kalitta just bought five more aircraft. (4 classics and a -400).

Of course, nearly half the workforce is still on the street...

 

[johnsonrod]

Atlas just recalled 13 pilots

Good news about Atlas. Will they likely be put on the 200 or the 400?