Freight flight crews

[UpaCreak]

Sitting in my camper van tonight on a campsite not far from Luxembourg airport, a Cargolux 747 flew over, obviously taken off from Luxembourg airport. This set me wondering how many crew would normally be on a freight flight, besides the two pilots, assuming that, with it being a 747 it would be a long flight.

[Intruder]

Anywhere from 0 (flight <8 hours) to 2 pilots (flight >12 hours), plus additional loadmasters, mechanics, and others (horse grooms, escorts for sensitive cargo, etc) as necessary. There is room for a total of 8-12 people in the 747 freighter, depending on configuration.

[Atlas Shrugged]

Basic 8 hours or less: Capt / FO
Augm. 8-12 hours: Capt / FO / Add. Capt or FO rated
Dbl. Augm: Capt / Three FO’s one rated

[UpaCreak]

Thanks for the replies.
Do I take it that the pilots have to do their own catering, i.e., coffee, snacks, hot food etc. No blonde leggy hostie on board looking after them.

[deltahotel]

Certainly in my 75/76 I do, though jump seating crew members will usually help out.

[Hawker400]

Certainly in my 75/76 I do, though jump seating crew members will usually help out.

But I assume you're not a blonde leggy hostie :/

[deltahotel]

Why would you assume that? Though i’m not, neither am I a well muscled Chippendale lookalike.

[16down2togo]

That would be 8 people maximum on the 744/748 freighter due to emergency exits to be correct, even though there are 10 seats total on board.
No hosties, but it doesn't hurt to stand up once in a while for a meal or a coffee or just a little walk.
And btw there is no such thing as non rated FO's in EASA world

[TFE731]

Thanks for the replies.
Do I take it that the pilots have to do their own catering, i.e., coffee, snacks, hot food etc. No blonde leggy hostie on board looking after them.

Hot food? Leggy Blonde? I fly 737 freighters and most of our fleet don’t even have an oven! However, I did once operate one with a crew of five, Cpt, FO, Eng, Loadmaster, & Security Guard.

[Webby737]

One of the first things I do when jump seating (positioning/ferry flight or freight) is to offer the crew a tea or coffee.
It's the polite thing to do :)
And no, I'm definitely not a leggy blonde !
I remember hearing from somewhere that back (in what some consider) the good ole days BA, Cathy and possibly Air France used to put a Hostie on their long haul cargo flights. I always assumed that this was true, does anyone know for certain ?

[B2N2]

Pre 9-11 you could bring wifes and girlfriends.
Preferably not at the same time.
Company FA’s could also jumpseat/deadhead on company freighters.
Post 9-11 only flight crew/load masters/dispatchers.

[EAM]

Not really, it is in general still allowed to take someone on the flight deck, but with DuiHuiLui it´s only used for company travel and very restrictive.

[frieghtdog2000]

I remember hearing from somewhere that back (in what some consider) the good ole days BA, Cathy and possibly Air France used to put a Hostie on their long haul cargo flights. I always assumed that this was true, does anyone know for certain ?

In BOAC/early BA the B707 Freighters carried initially (sixties/early seventies) a "Freighter Steward" who served the food and also had a duty free bar for purchase. Some were deemed "unsuitable" for passenger services due to some previous misdemeanours but were great company. Usually arrived with some questionable reading material to pass the time. Later on the.cabin crew position was open to all CC and we had the benefits of female company as well. Then reality struck and the cabin crew presence went. Happy days!!

[MarkerInbound]

Not really, it is in general still allowed to take someone on the flight deck, but with DuiHuiLui it´s only used for company travel and very restrictive.

In FAA land the only people allowed on freighters are government employees (FAA/NTSB/military) flight crew members, company employees required for the safe operation of the aircraft (Maintenance/Loadmaster), couriers with a FAA 8430 form or FAA certificate holders with the authorization of the PIC and company.

[EAM]

I am aware of that, but but there is a world outside of the FAA where it is in general even allowed to bring friends or family.

[classic200]

Heard a story about a B707 freighter steward when I was with Big Airways back then, they ended up in Aus somewhere, the A/C disappeared onto its next sector. A little later the crew, Capt, F/O & F/E were called to position to pick up another A/C, the steward left it a couple of days and then called company, yes its all in hand he was told, nothing happened, everything was being paid as was he, also he quite liked Aus, so after a couple of weeks he got himself a part time job in a pub and enjoyed himself for more than 6 months, until a wandering crew found him and he had to return to LHR, they just forgot about him, great story the way he told it, true?
As for how many are allowed on a 747, it has nothing to do with escape doors, but the inertia reels, on recent 747s I have operated there were 22 inertia reels!:D

[Webby737]

I remember hearing from somewhere that back (in what some consider) the good ole days BA, Cathy and possibly Air France used to put a Hostie on their long haul cargo flights. I always assumed that this was true, does anyone know for certain ?

In BOAC/early BA the B707 Freighters carried initially (sixties/early seventies) a "Freighter Steward" who served the food and also had a duty free bar for purchase. Some were deemed "unsuitable" for passenger services due to some previous misdemeanours but were great company. Usually arrived with some questionable reading material to pass the time. Later on the.cabin crew position was open to all CC and we had the benefits of female company as well. Then reality struck and the cabin crew presence went. Happy days!!

Thanks for the info Frieghtdog !

As for who's allowed to jump seat these days, outside FAA land, DHL seems to be only for positioning crew and maintenance staff, the rules have certainly been tightened up over the last couple of years. It's now, as EAM says very restrictive.
I know that Cargolux employees can still jump seat with their families.

[Trossie]

I spoke to a freight pilot a while ago who had a friend who was starting a new job in a pax airline. The friend's girl-friend was concerned about him mixing with "all those air hostesses".

The freight pilot pointed out to his girl-friend afterwards that she has none of that worry as he doesn't have air hostesses on his flights.

"Really?" was the answer, "Who makes your coffee?"!

"I do", was the reply!!!