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Old 10th Jul 2003, 00:14
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Loadmasters

Just wondered if anyone could share with me info regarding civillian 'loadmastering'.

I have found plenty of info from the RAF etc but wondered if anyone could explain about their role outside the military. Also, what opportunities exist and who conducts training.

Any info would be appreciated and if any loadmasters could share their experiences this would be a bonus!

Sounds like quite an interesting job....

Thanks.
skinteastwood is offline  
Old 10th Jul 2003, 15:32
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Not many companies with loadies now but we are still out there!!!
Try and contact Freight Doggy Dog as he is our all seeing, all knowing Loadie oracle!!!

TNT in LGG where looking last time I heard but with the loss of heavylift and cougar jobs are thin on the ground

As for the difference with the military I cant really comment having not been a crab loadie......but.....
Less time to plan loads.
More pressure as time sensative departures apply.
No military bull****.
More relaxed atmosphere.
But no combat 95 or flightsuit to sew your big knife on upside down!!!!
No Paras to throw horrorbags at!!!
On choppers no Gympie to shoot *******s with!!!!
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Old 26th Jul 2003, 14:04
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Shuperstar Loadie

I have to disagree with you on one point. I,ve never known an RAF Loadie plan a load EVER as it's all done for him/her by the ground staff. Also, they are usually conspicuous by their absence when the hard graft is being done.

skinteastwood.

I apologise as that didn't help to answer your question but I just had to get one in.
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Old 26th Jul 2003, 14:38
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Skint

Most civilians who get into loadmastering start on the ground with the likes of TNT/DHL etc and then with experience get the odd flight and progress.

Shuperstar

If you are a civvie Loadie you will know that most of the Brit one's are ex-RAF Movers and rarely an ex-RAF Loadmaster. Why? Because the Movers know payload is profit and it's them who PLAN the load and put it on and off. Planning sometimes takes 2-3 mins on a 90 min turnround. The RAF Loadie will have left the aircraft with the sharp end people to re-order his cheesecakes for the next segment.
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Old 26th Jul 2003, 15:02
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Blakey875

You put that message over so well.
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Old 30th Jul 2003, 15:40
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Loadmasters

I agree with all that has been said-my own RAF experience led me straight into civilian work -still 'at it' thirty years later and I doubt if the RAF loadmasters could hack the graft-they'd dirty their chammy gloves dirty!
Guppydog
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Old 1st Aug 2003, 01:26
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I agree with Blakey875 and rrtyne, with regard to most civi loadies being ex movers.
Don't think an RAF loadie could hack the pace.


PS By the way, best of luck to the three lads who got the DHL job out from Baghdad.
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Old 13th Aug 2003, 16:19
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Well thanks for putting me straight on RAF loadies!!

Obviously I have heard all this from ex-RAF loadies but not having anything to do with the air farce ever in my life this has made me such an excellent civie loadie!!!!
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Old 14th Aug 2003, 05:19
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Talking loadmasters

shuperstar loadie, shame your excellence does not extend to your grammar.
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Old 14th Aug 2003, 15:42
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Damn!!!!

Sorry dc8 but A level English aint wot it used to be innit!!!
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Old 15th Aug 2003, 17:29
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Time for an ex-movers forum I think
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Old 15th Aug 2003, 20:28
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MSF

I assume you mean ex RAF Movers in which case I totally agree.
However I think it would be better placed on the Military Aircrew Forum as we would probably get a few more bites. Obviously RAF Loadmasters are so narrow minded that they haven't found the Freight Dogs Forum as yet.
In the mean time Skint hasn't as yet received any really useful advice.

Last edited by Echo 5; 20th Aug 2003 at 19:59.
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Old 25th Aug 2003, 18:56
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By saying RAF Movers plan loads do you mean rolling the aircraft in 17C centre seats 2-18 and then insist on loading flat floor loads at every stop? In so doing almost exceed the planned turn round time. But manage to meet it by the assistance of the ALM and rest of the crew humping and dumping. This happens every weekend!
Would it not be better to palletise all the frt. and bags as per the role and so meet the turn round times that have been planned by the movers??
Or send an aircraft to pick up a lynx and 3000 kg of loose frt with a planned turn round time of 1 hour and 30 mins. Oh yes and a re role from 17F to flat floor. When questioned by the ALM and Captain, they were told it was nothing to do them.
Just wondering????

But what would I know.
Good luck skinteastwood

All spelling mistakes are because I cant spell
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Old 25th Aug 2003, 19:18
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Skint

I belive the way to go about it, without any previous experience, is to start at the bottom loading aircraft. Then progress to loadcontrol (or whatever you choose to call it) and from there work your way up (or down, depending on perspective) to become a loadmaster. Make sure you're well connected to whomever does the hiring.

Muppet Leader

It's actually 4 guys on contract, and rumours has it they're looking for a 5th.
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Old 26th Aug 2003, 04:30
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Danger

A very good point Flip Flop Flyer. Such a shame to see that this topic has become another oportunity for Echo 5 and Muppet Leader to tell the world how wonderful they and movers are and how bad Loadmasters are. Sad. Very Sad. Do you 2 not realise how pathetic you sound? Grow up.
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Old 26th Aug 2003, 05:26
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FLIP FLOP FLYER
May I say what a smart and mature post.
That is what I did and it has worked for me.
My only small grumble it that If you feel you would be doing a job which is lower than yourself, then why do it??????

As for the other posters, do actually know what a ALM is their for.
Lets run through it in the style of Hong Kong Fooey (I have had a drink or two as I’m flying in 10 hours. Sorry I mean 50 feet.)

Is he/she their to load the bags???????????? NO
Is he/she their to load the freight?????????? NO
Is he/she their to raise the paperwork???????? NO
Is he/she their to check in the PAX?????????? NO
Is he/she their to drive the ACHE????????? NO
Is he/she their to unload it all????????? NO
Is he/she their to be the last independent check and their in a worse case stop a multi million pound aircraft and lets not forget the passengers and crew making a small hole in the ground?????????????????? YES.

Did we not go through a number of air crashes a few years ago? Which I regret to say saw the loss of both crew and people on the ground through loads moving in flight.
Do I need to go on? Movers do a hard job and disserve the respect and help. Some bring the whole trade down with their childish and uneducated verbal diarrea.
If any one would like to be a ALM civy or military, go for it, it’s a great life and a great job. The only quality that you really need is to know your own limits
My fingers hurt now so Ill shut up

All spelling mistakes are because I can’t spell and I type too fast for my finger.
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Old 26th Aug 2003, 16:08
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Muppet Leader / Echo 5

Inter service rivalry apart, you and your fellow crabs seem to have some issues with each other!!!

I have no RAF experience and no aviation experience before i rose to the heights of a civvy loadie and have found in my limited 3 years at it, that it has actually helped!

We have to plan the load, supervise the loading (many cases getting hands on involved), produce the paperwork for the flight deck, carry out safety checks and then make the tea!!. So loadie or mover, shed the RAF blue and come to the real world!

Oh and before you spout off about combat and stuff DON'T as in that dept i will put you to shame. Just count the medals!!!!

Regards
SL

Ps : I do have the utmost respect for the RAF coz without them they wouldn't have lost all my kit in Q8 in 91!!!!
Shuperstar Loadie is offline  
Old 26th Aug 2003, 17:09
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I've been reading the thread on the Mil forum with interest. Been civvy 74 L/M for 13 years now, never been in the Services either. I agree with Shuperstar on what the job entails (though making the tea!)

One thing I didn't quite figure out. What the heck is a "mover" ?

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Old 28th Aug 2003, 21:41
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Skint, its not what you know but who you know in this game. Work from the bottom up and get stuck in. Currently with so many brit civil loadies out of work I can recruit from a vast experience pool. So unfortunately a personal reccomendation will help no end.
I am aware that GSS are looking for a loadie on the 747, STN based for their 3rd A/C, cos they are trying to nick one of my top trainers!!. DHL are also looking for loadies down in BAH, but again experience is required.
As for RAF air-loadmasters', employed 2 in the past and they were complete toss£rs, employed a mover and he was excellent. However as the work is "express" freight it doesn't suit the RAF air-loadmaster mentality of needing at least 3 months notice to get a tank from A to B.
PS, can Darren please put the pineapple chunks back in the urinal?
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Old 28th Aug 2003, 22:47
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FreightDoggy Dog.

If you have employed 2 ex RAF Air Loadmasters and they were tossers then that must mean that we all are. And that 1 excellent mover must mean that they are all excellent. Its nice not to see a sweeping statement from an obviously mature and unpredudiced Civvy. Thanks.

c130 alm is offline  


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