Any truth to the rumor...

[FlyDCJets]

US Airways announced at the recent Manager's meeting that the company has decided to use the A330-200 for China service on an interim basis until the A350 arrives. The company decided it was best to not have a couple of different aircraft in the inventory for a relatively short period of time.

According to East MEC Chairman Jack Stephan ALPA and the company are scheduled to begin discussions next week on the 2 two-man crew requirement and onboard crew rest facility requirements.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

I heard that we will be picking up some used A330-200's this fall, to be used for China service. Understand that the A340 would have been too costly to operate.
Regards
DC

 

[dariencc]

Anyhow, my comments during this 330/340 thread were all regarding the RELATIVE merits of the two different types on the China route. I don't know why you couldn't see that.

Discuss the relative merits all you wish. My response was to correct your laughable comment that the pilots would feel pressured "from the moment they strap one of those babies on." Totally absurd.

If you choose to believe that the 330 is a better aircraft for that route, more power to you.

What are you talking about. My original post expressed amazement at the company's decision.

However, it is a whole different deal if a motor goes quiet on the 330. The first question is: where do we go now?

The thousand or so pilots we have that have flown Etops thank you for the briefing.
And you're wrong about the first question. On Etops flights, diversion airports are preplanned.

 

[BoeingBoy]

What's the mileage difference between the longest of these city pairs in contrast to what US is trying on the same aircraft from PHL to China?

Great circle routing, MSP-HNL is 3451nm, SFO-NRT is 4453nm, and PHL-PEK is 5977nm.

Jim

 

[dariencc]

I heard that we will be picking up some used A330-200's this fall, to be used for China service. Understand that the A340 would have been too costly to operate.
Regards
DC

DC Jets is correct. The service will be with 330-200s. Don't know if the delivery schedule of these aircraft had to be changed or not. Perhaps Jim or someone else can help out on this.

The aircraft will be outfitted with 196 seats. They expect that the most they will have to block will be 20 or so.

Planned arrival fuel will be around 16,000 pounds. Hope this doesn't make NiceLandingCaptain too nervous.

 

[RowUnderDCA]

two questions:

any chance they would specially configure the 200s to provide greater room and comfort per passenger?

and

is there much or any weight benefit to provide more upper level classes, considering the extra weight of the service elements: seat, entertainment and service?

 

[RowUnderDCA]

DC Jets is correct. The service will be with 330-200s. Don't know if the delivery schedule of these aircraft had to be changed or not. Perhaps Jim or someone else can help out on this.

The aircraft will be outfitted with 196 seats. They expect that the most they will have to block will be 20 or so.

Planned arrival fuel will be around 16,000 pounds. Hope this doesn't make NiceLandingCaptain too nervous.

I think you answered my question. I think 196 is very much short to typical two class configuration. 296 is doable according to Airbus.com. According to NWA.com NW's are configured to 32 biz 211 econ

 

[night-ice]

two questions:

any chance they would specially configure the 200s to provide greater room and comfort per passenger?

and

is there much or any weight benefit to provide more upper level classes, considering the extra weight of the service elements: seat, entertainment and service?

SQ uses an A340-500 that is configured for 181 pax (EWR-SIN) so maybe this would be something they can look into...give people more working space to make up for the smaller aircraft?

 

[RowUnderDCA]

I'd take that deal..... but I wouldn't mind an extra engine or two.

 

[NiceLandingCaptain]

Discuss the relative merits all you wish. My response was to correct your laughable comment that the pilots would feel pressured "from the moment they strap one of those babies on." Totally absurd.


What are you talking about. My original post expressed amazement at the company's decision.


The thousand or so pilots we have that have flown Etops thank you for the briefing.
And you're wrong about the first question. On Etops flights, diversion airports are preplanned.

Well, please excuse me then for ALSO expressing MY amazement at the company's decision. I was not aware that Mister self-appointed-Chuck-Yeager-type-pilot-super-dude can't quite handle it if someone says something that doesn't quite agree with his own inflated opinions and superior knowledge base. Well, EXXXCCCCUUUUSE ME!!!!!!

I guess d-cc didn't cuddle up to the "Rookie" jab, so he has to pick and jab back at every thing I write. Fine.

One simple question d-cc: do you think that every problem that can occur along that route will have a "preplanned" solution? If you do, you'd better think again, super dude.

Here is a cool website that should give normal humans an idea of the route we will be flying to PEK. Of course, d-cc already knew this:

http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gc?PATH=phl-pek...&MAP-STYLE=

 

[dariencc]

One simple question d-cc: do you think that every problem that can occur along that route will have a "preplanned" solution? If you do, you'd better think again, super dude.

Where did I ever say that every problem would have a preplanned solution. I merely pointed out the fact that on Etops flights, diversion airports are preplanned.
It always makes my day when a cactus guy calls me "dude."

Here is a cool website that should give normal humans an idea of the route we will be flying to PEK. Of course, d-cc already knew this:

You're right, I did know. But why the drama? How will the operation differ from those being flown as we speak by NW, UA, CO, DL and a host of European and Asian carriers? They don't seem to be wetting their pants over it.

 

[wopr21]

Question...
Does Continental make fuel stops to China from EWR on the 777?

hhhmmm

wopr21

 

[beachboy]

Question...
Does Continental make fuel stops to China from EWR on the 777?

hhhmmm

wopr21

Now why on Earth are you compairing US to CO! How rude! Yes we charge the same amount for a ticket for less product and yes we might make a stop or two on a non-stop route. You should be glad we are even flying the route! 😉

 

[wopr21]

What I'm saying is that US has never used the right equipment for the job. CO does it right with a 777.

So I should be happy if I were to get the privilege to fly an RJ to the Orient.

I would rather take the express train than the local.

wopr21

 

[beachboy]

Yes, I was being sarcastic. Imagine that. Please, you expect this place to do anything right? Let them fall on thier face. The only way they learn and I would say that is a stretch.

 

[USstew23]

How cheap and penny pinching can these people actually be! This has to be the almighty of all the crap that they have done since this merger. Maybe the employees should just get together and lobby the DOT to rethink their decision on China. Maybe if China is revoked because of lies and false promises then maybe that could cure the arrogance from these people.