Originally Posted by
neville_nobody
Isn't the issue with the ULD system that you need expensive ground equipment everywhere to make it work? It also makes diversions a bit more complicated. As opposed to just throwing a few bags down a conveyor belt.
Exactly the argument AN used and then proceeded to spend millions over the next 20 years on injuries and compensation, with which they could have bought more loading machines than they ever needed.
Any argument about cost of the equipment is irrelevant these days because there are now many more suppliers on the market and prices are a fraction of what FMC charges (FMC is the better machine but it 3-4 times the cost).
As for diversions, we used to have them occasionally many years ago, on one occasion a QF 743 and a 762 went into CBR - they just sent the pax on TN to SYD and MEL without their bags and flew them down the next day on the aeroplane(s).
Because of JQ, most ports have scissor lift equipment now anyway so I think the diversion point is moot.