Crew Question???

[GrantHubbell]

This is mainly for the guys that fly for FedEx or UPS. Besides the pilots, is there anyone else onboard the aircraft during flight??

Thanks

[DE727UPS]

Generally no. There is the occasional UPS jumpseater and the even more occasional jumpseater from another of the few airlines that have been approved to ride with us post-9/11.

All of our planes, except the 727, have at least 4 jumpseats available.

[GrantHubbell]

But there is a variaty of softdrinks aboard, and food, right?

[DE727UPS]

"But there is a variaty of softdrinks aboard, and food, right?"

HAHA...that one cracks me up.

Our current contract does require catering on SOME flights. When we do have crew meals, we get food and soft drinks. I forget exactly what triggers us getting food, but many flights aren't catered. Sometimes it doesn't make a lot of sense. For example, the Mexico flights I have been doing since December, we got fed both ways. It was usually the same thing every day, too. Chicken or Beef out of Mexico, for breakfast, and Chicken pasta or a chef's salad out of LAX. The chicken pasta was quite good, in a spicy red sauce with veggies, bread, a salad, and a Twix bar. The chef's salad I didn't find quite as attractive but it did come with a Grandma's choclate chip cookie. About 500 calories and 30 grams of fat. Not sure why we got food BOTH ways.

Many times, however, the food is pretty bad, and, like I said before, probably half the flights you don't get food.

When we don't get food, there is a cooler onboard with orange juice, tomato juice, and water. That's it.

The Louisville, Philly, and Rockford sorts all have cafeteria food. Louisville is the biggest, Philly has the best food, and Rockford is very subpar. Sort of like food you get at a high school football game. None of it is very healthy.

[GrantHubbell]

And they expect you to mantain a first Class Medical.

[DE727UPS]

The first class medical is a joke....

Guys that don't work out and make a effort to stay fit, get fat in this job. And that goes for all airline pilots, not just freighters.

[I_Money]

That is the reason for a walk-around and aircraft/terminal changes - the company is trying to get the pilots to exercise.

I hear United actively selects hotels within walking distance, to ensure their crews stay more active.

[adreamer]

[ QUOTE ]
I hear United actively selects hotels within walking distance, to ensure their crews stay more active

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't mind to walk. When I was waiting for my connections at DTW, I constantly walked around that brand new NWA terminals. The only question is I don't feel like to sweat too much before fit into small confined office for 8 hours.


adreamer

[MikeD]

[ QUOTE ]
. Besides the pilots, is there anyone else onboard the aircraft during flight??

Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

There's one or two "kickers" aboard, for when airdrops are being performed.

[SteveC]

[ QUOTE ]
There's one or two "kickers" aboard, for when airdrops are being performed.








[/ QUOTE ]

Saw "Air America" again today. Reminds me of the scene where the "kicker" gets a little too enthusiastic and follows the load right off the back of the plane....

[Cleared_ILS_RWY_9L]

If we are hauling horses, or other big animals, we'll have a vet/animal specialist. We also might have a currier if we are hauling something special.

[I_Money]

Shipping horses is the way grooms travel!

[Polarbear]

I can vouch for Don for the Rockford cafeteria for UPS. Ramp employees eat at the same one as the pilots. I would say the food you get a highschool football game is better. I do have to say though they make awesome sub sandwiches for $3. If you ever fly to Rockford again Don try one. I got busted by a full time supervisor once for taking two of them into my de-ice truck while anticipating a long boring night in the throat with no planes to de-ice (though one did call that night for some reason noone could ever figure out). Doesn't Emery Air cater long flights out Rockford? I was told they do. Our(Emery Air's) kitchen makes absolutely great looking meals (from what the flight attendants say, great tasteing too) for Ryan Intl.. I heard they were the same ones we gave UPS pilots, but I could be mistaken.

[DE727UPS]

It's been a couple of years since I've been to RFD, so I was speaking pretty much in past tense, though it sounds like not much has changed. I remember thinking the best thing on the RFD menu was a baked potatoe. Don't remember the sub sandwiches.

I can't speak for the RFD catering, can't remember every having it.

What positive I remember about RFD is the Machine Shed resturant and the Barns and Noble bookstore. The Clocktower is an institution with us and many of the guys would like to see us find another hotel. I'll never forget the face of the surly female night clerk. Don't even think about changing rooms....

RFD is actually one of the night sorts I don't mind. The TV room is pretty big, unlike ONT. And the place isn't a huge nightmare like SDF. Unlike Philly, midwesterners are hardworking and friendly.

If I ever do a RFD, I'll track you down. I made friends with a couple of kids at RFD about 10 years ago. Lost track of them, now, but one went into the Navy and the other to Metro state in DEN. Both were airplane nuts and both worked the ramp for UPS or Emery after they turned 18.