Freight DogsFinally a forum for those midnight prowler types who utilise the unglamorous parts of airports that many of us never get to see. Freight Dogs is for pilots and crew who operate mostly without SLF.
Location: Gone from the FL sun to the desert Oasis
Age: 46
Posts: 178
Kalitta Air parks 8 aircraft
Sign of the continued bad times in Aviation, Kalitta Air is to ground 8 B747F
and lay off 200 staff according to a story printed on A.net. Hearts go out to
the crew getting a pink slip from Santa this year.
thats not a good sign. Surely if the USA pulls out of Iraq, Kalitta will be busy, as they took most of the kit over there. How many pilots loosing there jobs?
Certainly not surprised.
Connie has run a questionable operation (maintenance-wise) for many years, so chickens come home to roost during economic downturns.
In reality, his whole operation should be closely audited by the FAA.
Pronto.
Recent rather bad accidents point to a poorly run/supervised operation.
You are an I*iot! You have no idea what you are talking about! Kalitta has been through extensive inspections from the FAA, DOD and Insurance company as can be expected. If you are familiare with aviation and specifically cargo, you might notice it has taken a serious hit due to the economy. Several Airlines shut down earlier this year, not Kalitta. The forecasters are predicting another dismal year for 2009. K4, for the exception of two -400's has no debt. With a slow year predicted in 2009, they have decided to park airplanes, unfortunately furlough several of us and preserve cash to ride out the rough times. Whether you like Connie or not, he will be survive this and bounce back strong as ever/usual when business pick back up.
I saw Connie's operation up close. The maintenance is up to internationally accepted standards and so is the training. The aircraft are well equipped. The reputation of old Kalitta air shouldn't follow to this iteration.
Sorry to hear that. I share your pain and wish the guys all the best to find new work.
I met quite a few of their crews in different parts of the world and we had cold beers and good talks. I always thought they'd a very realistic 'both feet on the ground' attitude and new what eventually would come their way.
Just before Christmas is a slap in their faces.
Hard work and dedication is not appreciated anylonger in a world run by beancounters.
If even Kalitta parks their planes this really indicates the begining of the end for the classics. I think we'll see more to come in the near future.
The 747 classic freighters are dead as a doornail in todays freight market place.
Dead, dead, dead.
Connie found out with his TriStar freighters that duff maintenance could not pay off in the long run...cheap outdated fan locator bearings did him in, even when business was so-so.
When American International died and went to heaven, Connie left a lot of folks high and dry....and owed quite a lot.
I knew several of 'em.
Die-hard Connie fans should look to his age...the usual 'stuff' just isn't there, anymore.
He had a good run, now times are a changin'.
By the looks of it, all employee groups with Air Atlanta Icelandic will face the axe after the Hajj is over with base closures and downturn in business. Expecting serious layoffs and forced vacations starting January-February.
Sorry to hear this about Kalitta and Air Atlanta,
Not good news at this time of year.
Hope you all find jobs soon, but it may get worse before it gets better.
Unitop was advertising on 350 for the 747 classic.
I hear that some company that bought out Tradewinds may be looking for 747 drivers also.
Good luck.
Tradewinds was bought by Centurion, a DC-10 outfit out of Miami. I learned this from a former check airman for Centurion.
Everyone is right about the classic. Too much gas, too many cycles, and maintenance cost going through the roof and FAR part 26. Too bad, but even the great ones meet their maker with age. I am sure they will make great beer cans.
The 777F is the future of air cargo, sips gas and has close to the cubic space and weight capabilities of the 747-800 when it comes out.
"The 777F is the future of air cargo, sips gas and has close to the cubic space and weight capabilities of the 747-800 when it comes out."
Layinlow, You have had the numbers posted the last time you spouted off with this B/S. So now you bring it over to another thread? You really are too much
Is the Air Atlanta news for real? I thought the Saudia contract was pretty solid but did hear that the Malaysian one was in trouble. Was/Is the Icelandic banking problem at the root of this?
In reality, his whole operation should be closely audited by the FAA.
Pronto.
Recent rather bad accidents point to a poorly run/supervised operation.
Open investigations which were not maintenance related...you don't have a clue regarding that about which you spout off.
Kalitta is closely monitored by the FAA. It was recently given a full audit by the FAA, as well as the DoD...passed in both cases, including numerous international line checks, ramp checks, etc.
Few airlines, international or domestic, worldwide, haven't experienced fatal mishaps. These two were nonfatal, but hull losses. What is it that you think you know, as an outsider, about these incidents? Your comments indicate you speak in complete ignorance, as I have first hand knowledge to the contrary.
The one in Columbia was kind of fatal for the folks under the hull loss. Best wishes to the folks at Kalitta, I have buddies there and times are tough for classic boys`.
You might be totally surprised.
My comments stand.
As I said, I'd have to be very surprised, as I have first hand knowledge that you're wrong.
Your comments stand, incorrectly, and a hollow accusation. Furthermore, your comments stand over incomplete investigations, still open, to which you clearly do not have the facts.
Layoffs
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