B747's at ARN

[Skunkworks]

I saw 3 B747's at ARN the other day, anyone know who operates these?

The livery was similar to Atlas, but I couldnt see the regs. White with blue tail. Is it TJ expanding big time?

[JJflyer]

TJ indeed. These B747´s are supposed to fly on this years Hajj and then be returned to parking, unless TJ can find long term work for the big bird.

[preflight]

Haijj?

Pardon my ignorance...

[chippy63]

Preflight,

Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia that all devout moslems should make at least once in their lifetime. When you look at the wide spread of the moslem community- Indonesia,
countries in africa and so on- you can imagine the huge volume of charter flights that are needed to transport the pilgrims.

So that's a spin!

[preflight]

Thanks for that Chippy!

More people in the air then, if only for a limited period.

//Preflight

[chippy63]

Preflight,

Right, plenty of people in the air. I think it is some time in February, working by the western calendar.
Actually, I worked in Jeddah in the mid-60's; it was amazing to see some of the old kit being used to ferry these pilgrims induring the Hajj.


So that's a spin!

[Skunkworks]

Update:

These 74's were indeed Atlas, on their way to the conflict in Afganistan. They have several flights now with stop-overs at ARN.

TJ has also aquired another B747 (no 2 I think), but Im not sure if he has got it at ARN yet.

/skunks

[Canofwhoopass]

JJflyer, I don't know what your on about. There is one TJ 74 at ARN, no more no less. <img src="eek.gif" border="0">
It does actually happen that other airlines 747 come to ARN.

[JJflyer]

Oh really someone else flies there too. I was under the impression that TJ was the only airline around ARN. DUH <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

You are a fine chap aren´t ya Whoopass. You have cage where they keep you hidden away during daytime? :)

[ 17 January 2002: Message edited by: JJflyer ]</p>

[Canofwhoopass]

It's just that I'm getting sick of hearing all these made up stories about TJ and his 747s.

Sorry if I was a bit harsh

[seupp]

I tell you, we don't want you to open that can of.....

So anybody know what TJ and his airplanes are doing now??

seupp

[TowerDog]

So what or who is TJ?. .An airline or a person?. .(Pardon my ignorance, been out of the Scandinavian loop for a while)

As for the Haj: Flown six or seven Haj'es since the late 80s on 747s.

The Haj starts a few weeks earlier every year.. .Some of the poorer Pilgrimes have been saving all their life to be able to afford the trip.. .The involved countries's National Airlines usually charther out the Haj flights they can not manage themself: Garuda, Air India, Saudia, etc.

The pilgrimes are not supposed to wash or shower while on this trip. They all dress the same, some white rags they wrap around their bodies.. .On the way back they bring Holy Water, or Zum-Zum water. That will in many cases cause a weight problem: 500 pax with 5 gallons of water.

Usually one month of continues flying to bring 'em to either Jeddah or Medina, then a month off, then a month flying 'em back

The Haj can be lots of fun and one can make a good income, or the whole thing can be a drag.. .Depending on where ya are based.

[calmar]

canofwhoopass, ruff just like your mother likes it...do you have any of those SNL episodes, can I get a piece of the action?

this has nothing to do with TJ, and to answer your questions, TJ is both a person and an airline.

[Canofwhoopass]

Yeah I do, but don't you already have 3 eps? <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">

[ 22 January 2002: Message edited by: Canofwhoopass ]</p>

[JJflyer]

Hey TowerDog.

TJ= TransJet. Ie Tomas J.

They have some MD80´s that will do flying around Europe next summer season.

Havies are to be used for the Hajj. I hear that using these airplanes was sort of a favour to the owner as they would have been parked and no income otherwise. Pay as you fly deal ?

Cheers

[TowerDog]

JJ:

Pay as ya fly deal.

Yup, we had the same deal on some of the Tower Air birds.. .Called it "Power By the Hour".

Some of them planes was owned by American Express.. .Ya guys see any N- numbers ending with AE on those airplanes?

Be good.

Edited for spelling, Don't do to well with a hang-over..

[ 22 January 2002: Message edited by: TowerDog ]</p>

[Skunkworks]

T Dog, I think TJ's first 74 is actually an old Tower aircraft.

[TowerDog]

Skunk:

Roger, wonder which one??

We had some old beaten up -100 series that were a bit "loose", they probably went for $2 to 3 mill,. .depending on how much time left on the engines, gear and time to C and D check.

Also had some super nice -200 with the increased gross weight, 833,000 punds and big engines, extra center fule tanks and such.

Nightmare to work for such a company because all the planes were different on limitations, cockpit set-up etc.. .Especially the ex-SAS birds were different, no tail on the ADF needles, autopilot panel backwards and so on.. .They were however in beatiful shape and flew nicely. (GE engines if memory serves me correctly)

Ah, good old days, will probably never fly a 747 again and sure miss 'em.

[Skunkworks]

Not 100% sure, but I think:

N624FF was the first one, 619 and 620 might also be coming.

/skunks

[TowerDog]

Okay Skunk:

Them are familiar N-numbers. 619 and 620 especially. Good -200 series planes. Strong performers.. .Did many JFK-TLV trips on them birds.

624, hmm not so sure.. .623 was one of the ex-SAS and a trouble maker.. .Cronic fuel indicating problem.. .621 I think was an ex Argentinian plane.

617, 615 and 613 freigters, hence "TowerDog". .Preferred to fly the freighters, moneywise and otherwise.

Flew 623 to Tel-Aviv on a contract for PARC May 2000 to have it D-checked and fixed. Still there.. .$20 mill later.. .Really enjoyed the PARC contract.. .Straight people and the check came on time.. .Southern Air should get 623 any day now, only a year or so late.

Good old days hauling them 747s indeed.. .Did it for Evergreen, Kuwait Airways and Tower Air.

[Hot Rod]

Have a look at TJ´s website at <a href="http://www.transjet.se/" target="_blank">http://www.transjet.se/</a> <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[JJflyer]

I was under the impression that the 2 B747´s wghere supposed to be chnaged for SE registration for the time being.

[Skunkworks]

SE-RBH, RBN & RBP