Pilot's sobering perspective

[BigSkyBrad]

From a cargo pilot for FedEx 

FedEx still operating close to peak internationally, but we’ve slowed severely domestically. Balances out financially, as we’re still “above the line” (reference our last quarterly earnings statement).

We’ve pulled 4 “semi-retired” FedEx MD-11s out of the desert and sent them to the Pacific (where I’ve been operating for the past 2½ months). Every run we’re flying there (between Honolulu, Sydney, Guangzhou, Osaka, Narita, Singapore, Thailand,  Hong Kong, etc…) are maxed out. No one else flying, so all that residual cargo is being directed our way.  That being said, every route is nearly empty, and every airport is completely full of parked jets.  A couple of examples:

Flew from Osaka to Beijing during 1 segment of a trip, and saw only 2 additional aircraft airborne the entire flight. During the time we fly that route (one of the busiest in the world), nearly 100+ additional aircraft are normally airborne. Silence on the radio, from the controllers, etc. … most pacific airports have 1 controller that now covers regional approach, tower, and ground… ALL 3 of them. We landed in Beijing and we were the only moving aircraft the for entire time we taxied in, dropped our cargo, reloaded, and taxied out. Saw 2 other aircraft moving on the ground as we took off.  But that was it.  Literally 600+ aircraft parked in every square inch of concrete on that airport. Beijing (and most airports like it) are down to 1 runway, with all additional being used as parking lots for aircraft.  Very eerie to see it like that.

Was lucky enough to have a United deadhead back from Osaka to SFO at the conclusion of one of my runs.  Osaka is one of the busiest international “jump-off points” in Japan, and FedEx has a great facility there. From the time I made my way from the FedEx aircraft we landed there, checked in through one of the largest customs facilities I’ve ever seen (at Osaka International), took an inter-airport train to the international terminal, and finally made my way to the only 1 of 6 lounges open to await my flight’s departure (United), I only saw 2 people in the entire airport terminal.  TWO.

That United flight was on a 787, and Polaris Business Class (which normally holds about 36 people) had 4 of us in it.  The entire aircraft had about 40 people total… most were United employees (aircrew and attendants) repositioning back to the United States after their routes had been cancelled. This was United’s last flight between Osaka and SFO for a long while (apparently), and there were many hugs and tears with United personnel, Japan airport folks they knew, etc…
And the entire United ground crew lined up in a formation to solute the aircraft as we departed… reminded me of Navy cruises when we were launching aircraft to head back to the beach after 6+ months.

Global devastation and economic impacts are very apparent as one travels as much as we do internationally. This is going to take YEARS to recover, and return any semblance of “normalcy” (if that term is even relevant any longer) to many areas all over the globe. Incredible to see the lengths FedEx goes to, to keep us all healthy and protected through this mess. My hats off to our dispatchers, ground managers, and everyone on the team who’s making it happen safely for us all… as regulations and customs requirements literally change day to day… flight by flight.
 

[TAFKARM]

This is IATAs (in my opinion, optimistic) view of it 

 

[Steve (sdh2903)]

I agree very optimistic, infact at the rate that airlines are shedding staff and aircraft, a bounce back seems impossible.

[TAFKARM]

Positive for me at least, they think biz jet traffic will come back before CA does. 

[Jim RS]

I was listening to the Heathrow Airport representative this morning and was astonished at the minimal approach to the situation of Covid-19.

He stated that only last week have they started trials of heat seeking equipment and that early indications were showing 1 in 3 people needing further investigation. He then carried on to say that he was waiting for the government to tell him what to do, what have they been doing all this time?

Surely any mass transporting hub has "a duty of care" to their clients and must take every possible steps to protect the things that they rely on to give them a living. From this attitude it is no surprise that the industry is suffering and as usual it has been too easy for them to sit back on easy money. Plenty of lessons have been and are still coming through about how this epidemic can be controlled, especially with the use of new technology, but everyone is sitting back waiting for the authorities to tell them what to do.

I am not a keen supporter of any authorities but I pity Boris his gang and some other countries who are taking the brunt of these situations especially knowing that they will be pulled to pieces after the dust has settled and held up as an example of what not to do in glorious hindsight.

Action is needed now to gain trust from the public and employees for their well being not sitting back and blaming other people.

[Steve (sdh2903)]

3 minutes ago, Snags said:

I pity Boris his gang and some other countries who are taking the brunt of these situations

 

Granted that this is a massively difficult situation but they are making a complete balls of this. Mixed messages, unclear guidance and now the quarantine. They deserve the criticism in my book. No pity.

 

And now this quarantine. I agree a quarantine would have been an effective barrier against the virus 2 or 3 months ago. 13 days ago boris announced the quarantine. Yesterday priti Patel announced it was vital. Yet its not being implemented for another 16 days? When other countries have been able to implement a closed border in hours. Yet we decide to let another 29 days worth of uncontrolled people In to go along with the 18 million before that. The horse hasn't only bolted, its been running laps of the paddock for weeks.

 

The only answer the government can give to any sensible question is 'we are following the science'. Sounds more like the blind leading the blind.

[Jim RS]

6 minutes ago, Steve (sdh2903) said:

 

Granted that this is a massively difficult situation but they are making a complete balls of this. Mixed messages, unclear guidance and now the quarantine. They deserve the criticism in my book. No pity.

 

And now this quarantine. I agree a quarantine would have been an effective barrier against the virus 2 or 3 months ago. 13 days ago boris announced the quarantine. Yesterday priti Patel announced it was vital. Yet its not being implemented for another 16 days? When other countries have been able to implement a closed border in hours. Yet we decide to let another 29 days worth of uncontrolled people In to go along with the 18 million before that. The horse hasn't only bolted, its been running laps of the paddock for weeks.

 

The only answer the government can give to any sensible question is 'we are following the science'. Sounds more like the blind leading the blind.

I wasn't defending our gov at all, far from it. My gripe is with the so called leaders of industry that are just sitting back and relying on handouts to survive knowing they will be alright with their payment protection plans etc. The old saying "it takes 2 to Tango" comes too mind.

[Steve (sdh2903)]

Yes but you specifically mention airports. Airports procedures are all governed by the Dft. A government department. The likes of Heathrow cannot go and start being proactive and deciding to go get temperature scanners, because the dft will come along and say 'sorry you can't use those as we haven't told you to', 'they aren't to our specifications' etc etc

 

It took nearly 2 months of lobbying just to get the dft to allow airside staff to be able to take certain liquids airside as all the terminal shops were closed. Just to be able to have a drink at work.

 

No one in the aviation industry is getting handouts as you put it. They are taking loans and the government are only giving loans to previously profitable businesses and refusing to those who arent. Well apart from the JRS which I suppose you could call a handout.

[Jim RS]

I have worked on many Airport jobs over the years and all of the developments/improvements have been locally planned with the appropriate Gov. approval, initially budgets have been given but the final plans were the airport in question having to argue the needs for expenditure.

I was running a small but profitable business but fortuitously ceased trading in 2018, I would definitely not have been able to survive this as I had also taken a large hit during the 2008 debacle and would never been able to pay back so called loans.

Surely it was the responsibility of the airport to provide essential sustenance to any employee, ok to be approved by Dft. I certainly had to produce Method Statements/Risk Assessments for all my worksites, which especially included breaks and special requirements, with Airports, Sewage Works, Any High Risk situations having to be accounted for sometimes including 400 plus pages for just 1 days work. When working within public areas I had increased "duty of care" to avoid even the smallest risk of effect by my operations.

[Steve (sdh2903)]

18 minutes ago, Snags said:

Surely it was the responsibility of the airport to provide essential sustenance to any employee, ok to be approved by Dft

 

Yes but a lot of people who work airside don't work for the airport. They work for the numerous airlines, ground handlers etc. The company who actually has a permit to deliver water to all the offices wasnt open and the security offices who issue permits were not processing pass applications. It was catch 22. You either went without, or drove out landside repeatedly to get a drink. And they were actively encouraging you to not repeatedly pass through security posts.

 

22 minutes ago, Snags said:

I have worked on many Airport jobs over the years and all of the developments/improvements have been locally planned with the appropriate Gov. approval,

 

For infrastructure projects yes. But for anything to do with security or the rules and regulations around airport operations then its all dft. 

 

To quote one very experienced security officer at the airport where I work 'we aren't allowed to think anymore' 

[Jim RS]

A case of so many Chiefs but few Indian's, the whole reason I went and started my own company in the eighties - ultimately only 1 person too blame - me.