Classic Operators - Who's out there and who was the best ?

[Idle Reverse]

Hi Every body,

There's not too many 74 Classic operators still going right now and not too many current Classic crews . . . but does anybody have a list of just who is operating the Classic at the moment ?

There's generally some work for ad-hoc crews during the Hajj period but it seems to be a bit thin on the ground for the rest of the year. Any information that you might come up with would be very useful . . and any contact details would be much appreciated.

For any old Classic crews on here . . who was your favourite Classic operating company ? Personally I enjoyed my Classic time with Air Atlanta.

Nice bunch of guys.

:)

[GlueBall]

Typically, you'll see many classics dusted off at JED during the Hadj.

[unwashed]

Kalitta
Evergreen
Southern
Rayyan Air
Unitop?
Midex

[Desert185]

As difficult as UPS could be at times, I feel profoundly blessed that I was on the Classic (100/200) for 16 years of my almost 20 years with them.

[EW73]

Of my time flying the 747 Classic, I only flew for three operators...

Air Hong Kong...started just before they took delivery of those three ex Varig freighters. I thought it was a great company to fly for, great group of guys. Though when CX took control things went south fairly fast...

Air Atlanta...flew the longest with these guys, and for good reason...moved bases fairly often...loved the flying (great group of guys), flew both freight and pax, though again the crew management severly let the company down, at least up to 2002 when I left them.

Air Pacific...started with them when they were still flying the two leasted Classics. They were upgraded with a couple of leased ex-QF airplanes, and the quality of the flying ratcheded up a couple of notches. Again, the flying was great, but in this case the local FOs were not the best to fly with, they were basically lazy and expected everything handed to them on a plate...then complained when they were put under pressure to get their act together.
I shudder to think what is happenning in those -400 flight decks...with no FE to keep them straight!

Cheers, I will always fondly remember the B747 Classic, and shudder at the current airplanes now being forced upon the flight crews!

EW73

[Po Boy]

I enjoyed my years on the Classic at Atlas, but really love the -400 and looking forward to flying the -8. :ok:

[Flightmech]

I enjoyed my years on the Classic at Atlas, but really love the -400 and looking forward to flying the -8.

Won't be long now. Your first one? (N850GT) is at KPAE rolled out in Panalpina colors.

[old-timer]

Buffalo Airway have a great classic fleet operation in the N.W Territories of Canada

[ErwinS]

Buffalo does have classic's but not the ones this topic is for ;-)

Martinair was the best with the Convertibles and later on the full cargo 200 and 200 (SUD) :-)

[Tex]

I flew the Classic at Japan Airlines and Atlas Air.

At JAL, I flew the -100, -100SUD, -200, and the -300. I loved them all.

At Atlas, I flew the -200 and the -300. I'm looking forward to the -400 and
-8 when I get back from military leave.

[TowerDog]

Flew the -100 and -200s with Evergreen, the -200s with Kuwait Airways, the -100 and -200s with Tower Air and the -200s with Tradewinds Airlines.
15 years on the classics and miss 'em dearly. :{

[SassyPilotsWife]

There is a M/E airline looking for FO's current on the classic. PM me or contact hubby to send your CV to.

[BandAide]

I had a couple years with Kalitta. They gave me a job when I needed one, being furloughed after 9/11.

Saw places I never thought I'd see, had great layovers in Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Anchorage and elsewhere, flew with excellent and interesting people - what more can you ask?