The 'Freighter' email.
 

So what could be the potential pit falls or pluses with the latest email.

A separate group of freighet pilots - min two years. Sounds tantalizing but just don't trust these guys.

I mean we're still waiting for an email backing up JA's "positive development" carrot with at least an idea of when all will be revealed but no - throw it out there and leave everyone hanging for months.

Will this be any different?

Freighter hotel t&cs already vastly inferior to pax fleets. Will pilot t&cs erode rapidly once the workforce splits??

Which company is this referring to?

I know that used to be the case, but lately I haven't seen any major differences other than when the freighter hotel is a completely different one from the pax one, which aren't that many really, or am I wrong?

The difference can also be in ones favour on the freighter. Swings and roundabouts depending on where you are.

Hotels and allowances on the 777F comes out of SkyCargo budget, nothing to do with 'mainline'

lospilotos

I agree with you. Previously there were some variances in allowances and contracts such as business lounge access but those differences have mostly disappeared.

AMS is the same hotel (with lounge access) and NBO is also same hotel as mainline. SIN, SYD and FRA? All the same from my own experience unless they've changed recently. Personally, I kinda like the freighter ops to be honest. Shut down, get off the plane, into a car or mini van and you're off. No hanging around for crew or dealing with missing pax and bags and no medlink issues or 70 wheelchair passengers on US flights! I'd also imagine that there'll be far less night turns on the freighter given it's type of flying.

So, apart from a possible increase in roster disruption, what's not to like!

Harry

What's is in it for them??

Well I guess not many freighter flights leave Dubai at 3am. No going to EGHQ for 2 years. But long trips away and lots of dead heading.... Unless this will improve roster efficiency?

SOPS

Who cares. I ask myself what's in it for me. Get back to walking those dogs.

YP

That's exactly why they're testing the waters. The current program is not efficient in optimum crew usage. Having a dedicated cargo ops will allow better planning as frequent changes to the freighter plan often impacts on mainline flying. I had heard that if insufficient numbers are forthcoming, they may consider offloading the whole cargo ops onto Etihad or another third party.

Harry

:ok::ok:Will do Harry

Unless you have a habit of chasing the cabin crew, this should be pretty sweet! Very few, if any TAs, not manual insertions to 'fill' the roster, no waiting for post landing duties, no missing, sick, drunk, disruptive passengers. Those who don't particularly enjoy full time in Dubai, I see them getting a lot of interest from this

The issue is SkyCargo are in the business of moving cargo from A to B and the intricacies of what we need as crew when downroute are still alien to them in some respects.

The freighter fleet is totally isolated to the rest of the operation and operating out of DWC doesn't help either. The company seem to have acknowledged that by providing a dedicated feedback email address for the freighter fleet. If you don't pass on your concerns in some shape or form, then we stand no chance of seeing any improvement and things have got better on the freighter over time.

For me personally, avoiding EGHQ and not having to find a baby sitter when needing to leave the flight deck would in itself be utopia for me, never mind not seeing India at dark o'clock as mentioned by 777-200LR.

Yes guys, seems sweet!
however the pitfalls would be positioning most of the time, as many as 12 days away on 1 duty. As duty time limitation won't be a problem, minimum days off at home before going for another long duty! You will just have 8 days off a month and the rest will be down route! On top of all the roster change!
Once again, you would help the company due to shortage of pilot but certainly not yourself, especially if you have a family!

TOGA TEN - Do you agree that with 4071 pilots, we have almost every kind imaginable? I guarantee there's a few single/unhappily married guys who will drop at the opportunity to spend very little time in Dubai, take the accommodation allowance, and sleep at your local Premier Inn using their 7-12 day layover allowance for the nights they are in Dubai. Obviously not for everyone, but when you're young and no family, there's a killing to be made

For those of you with short memories this exactly what cv did. Introduced cx freighters (asl) promising similar conditions including the 2 year minimum ! very quickly after establishment recruitment direct to ASL was possible for very dubious pilot types and terms and conditions were eroded. Once established in the freighter section it was an easy step to force main stream to follow. Beware not all that glitters is gold!!:ok:

Hmmm - not sure about this one.

Limited swap options due limited aircraft.

A lot of roster changes and ADs and perhaps being at the mercy of Cargo scheduling leading to a lot of uncertainty which is the case with all cargo (excl big package delivery) operators. Sounds like Atlas - Middle East style.

Not for me - but would suit some.

And in my wishful (naively optimistic) thinking that this new "package" will make productivity flying worth a shekel or two to us - unlikely in freight ops.

Watching from the sidelines - a skeptical eyebrow raised.

One has to be very careful here, we need to have all the cards on the table before deciding - who is going to be in the appointment posts - imagine having to work for TCAS again!!

Interested but need a great deal more info on how it is proposed to work. To start, would the Cargo crew hold reserve for the whole airline, would line checks be on freighter or any 777, to whom would we report, would there be a new Cargo Fleet Management, can we get rid of the hat!?
As an aside. Just done the CCU trip same hotel and totally different rates and incentives for Cargo vs Pax crews. Presumably one needs less curry or discounts when flying fruit as opposed to "vegetables"!

And there's no wifi...!