Kalitta Air parks 8 aircraft
 

Sign of the continued bad times in Aviation, Kalitta Air is to ground 8 B747F
and lay off 200 staff according to a story printed on A.net. Hearts go out to
the crew getting a pink slip from Santa this year.

thats not a good sign. Surely if the USA pulls out of Iraq, Kalitta will be busy, as they took most of the kit over there. How many pilots loosing there jobs?

Certainly not surprised.
Connie has run a questionable operation (maintenance-wise) for many years, so chickens come home to roost during economic downturns.

In reality, his whole operation should be closely audited by the FAA.
Pronto.
Recent rather bad accidents point to a poorly run/supervised operation.

411A

You are an I*iot! You have no idea what you are talking about! Kalitta has been through extensive inspections from the FAA, DOD and Insurance company as can be expected. If you are familiare with aviation and specifically cargo, you might notice it has taken a serious hit due to the economy. Several Airlines shut down earlier this year, not Kalitta. The forecasters are predicting another dismal year for 2009. K4, for the exception of two -400's has no debt. With a slow year predicted in 2009, they have decided to park airplanes, unfortunately furlough several of us and preserve cash to ride out the rough times. Whether you like Connie or not, he will be survive this and bounce back strong as ever/usual when business pick back up.

Whale PFE

"In reality, his whole operation should be closely audited by the FAA.
Pronto.


Mighty rich comments from one who purposely avoids FAA oversight by operating
tired aircraft registered elsewhere:=

I saw Connie's operation up close. The maintenance is up to internationally accepted standards and so is the training. The aircraft are well equipped. The reputation of old Kalitta air shouldn't follow to this iteration.

Never seen much of these guys till I saw a 747 attempt a 'tac' approach into an Afghan airfield, stuff it up and have to fly a dirty circuit to land.

I hope the good times return for them soon.

Sorry to hear that. I share your pain and wish the guys all the best to find new work.
I met quite a few of their crews in different parts of the world and we had cold beers and good talks. I always thought they'd a very realistic 'both feet on the ground' attitude and new what eventually would come their way.
Just before Christmas is a slap in their faces.
Hard work and dedication is not appreciated anylonger in a world run by beancounters.
If even Kalitta parks their planes this really indicates the begining of the end for the classics. I think we'll see more to come in the near future.

The 747 classic freighters are dead as a doornail in todays freight market place.
Dead, dead, dead.
Connie found out with his TriStar freighters that duff maintenance could not pay off in the long run...cheap outdated fan locator bearings did him in, even when business was so-so.
When American International died and went to heaven, Connie left a lot of folks high and dry....and owed quite a lot.
I knew several of 'em.
Die-hard Connie fans should look to his age...the usual 'stuff' just isn't there, anymore.
He had a good run, now times are a changin'.

Layoffs
 

By the looks of it, all employee groups with Air Atlanta Icelandic will face the axe after the Hajj is over with base closures and downturn in business. Expecting serious layoffs and forced vacations starting January-February.:(

Sorry to hear this about Kalitta and Air Atlanta,
Not good news at this time of year.
Hope you all find jobs soon, but it may get worse before it gets better.
Unitop was advertising on 350 for the 747 classic.
I hear that some company that bought out Tradewinds may be looking for 747 drivers also.
Good luck.

Tradewinds was bought by Centurion, a DC-10 outfit out of Miami. I learned this from a former check airman for Centurion.
Everyone is right about the classic. Too much gas, too many cycles, and maintenance cost going through the roof and FAR part 26. Too bad, but even the great ones meet their maker with age. I am sure they will make great beer cans.
The 777F is the future of air cargo, sips gas and has close to the cubic space and weight capabilities of the 747-800 when it comes out.

"The 777F is the future of air cargo, sips gas and has close to the cubic space and weight capabilities of the 747-800 when it comes out."

Layinlow, You have had the numbers posted the last time you spouted off with this B/S. So now you bring it over to another thread? You really are too much:ugh:

Air Atlanta?
 

Is the Air Atlanta news for real? I thought the Saudia contract was pretty solid but did hear that the Malaysian one was in trouble. Was/Is the Icelandic banking problem at the root of this?

308,000 pounds (140 metric tons) & 30,312 cubic feet of volume - 747-8F

------------------------------------------------
250,200 pounds (113.4 metric tons) & 24,467 cubic feet of volume - 747-400BCF
248,600 pounds (112.7 metric tons) - 747-400ERF
248,300 pounds (112.6 metric tons) - 747-400F
------------------------------------------------

226,000 pounds (103 metric tons) & 22,451 cubic feet of volume - 777-200LRF

Source: Boeing

:confused:
DBW

and which one can load outsized cargo through the nose?

Oh yeah, that would be the 747. :ok:

Open investigations which were not maintenance related...you don't have a clue regarding that about which you spout off.

Kalitta is closely monitored by the FAA. It was recently given a full audit by the FAA, as well as the DoD...passed in both cases, including numerous international line checks, ramp checks, etc.

Few airlines, international or domestic, worldwide, haven't experienced fatal mishaps. These two were nonfatal, but hull losses. What is it that you think you know, as an outsider, about these incidents? Your comments indicate you speak in complete ignorance, as I have first hand knowledge to the contrary.

You do not.

The one in Columbia was kind of fatal for the folks under the hull loss. Best wishes to the folks at Kalitta, I have buddies there and times are tough for classic boys`.

You might be totally surprised.
My comments stand.

A leopard does not change its spots.

As I said, I'd have to be very surprised, as I have first hand knowledge that you're wrong.

Your comments stand, incorrectly, and a hollow accusation. Furthermore, your comments stand over incomplete investigations, still open, to which you clearly do not have the facts.

Colombia.