Delta question

[jgheggie]

When I worked the ramp a few years ago we used to handle the NBA charter flights operated by delta.

I'm curious, are the pilots every day line pilots? Or are the NBA flights done by "delta jets" and have different corporate pilots?

If they are line pilots then how does it work to fly the basketball charters? Just bid like everything else?

 

[BobDDuck]

I don't think Delta Jets has a airplane big enough to do a team charter. Most companies do charter as regular line flying and is bid on like regular flying.

 

[ClarkGriswold]

Regular line pilots. Some planes are reconfigured, I believe some of the 320s are. @PeanuckleCRJ ?

 

[amorris311]

Regular line pilots. Some planes are reconfigured, I believe some of the 320s are. @PeanuckleCRJ ?

They are. Parked next to one the other night in DTW.

 

[Avalon781ML]

They are. Parked next to one the other night in DTW.

I got to take a quick tour of one in BNA about a month ago.... they are very very nice!

 

[jgheggie]

Yes they are nice inside...I had to clean them when I worked on the ramp. But I never got a chance to ask the pilots if they were line pilots for delta and how often they got to fly the players around.

 

[H46Bubba]

When I worked the ramp a few years ago we used to handle the NBA charter flights operated by delta.

I'm curious, are the pilots every day line pilots? Or are the NBA flights done by "delta jets" and have different corporate pilots?

If they are line pilots then how does it work to fly the basketball charters? Just bid like everything else?

The NBA charters are A319s that have reconfigured cabins. The NBA charters are the only ones that utilize the reconfigured aircraft. NFL, MLB and NCAA charters utilize regular configuration aircraft. it doesn't take long to reconfigure the interiors, so the aircraft aren't out of service, but a few days if that. All charters are flown by regular line pilots.

 

[jgheggie]

The NBA charters are A319s that have reconfigured cabins. The NBA charters are the only ones that utilize the reconfigured aircraft. NFL, MLB and NCAA charters utilize regular configuration aircraft. it doesn't take long to reconfigure the interiors, so the aircraft aren't out of service, but a few days if that. All charters are flown by regular line pilots.

Interesting. Is this a contract? If so, do you know how long it is? It's pointless information for me to know, however I am just curious. I know the Houston rockets had their own 727 when they came to town. Just curious why "richer" teams such as Lakers, Knicks do not have their own aircraft. Delta must offer a decent deal.

 

[jtrain609]

Interesting. Is this a contract? If so, do you know how long it is? It's pointless information for me to know, however I am just curious. I know the Houston rockets had their own 727 when they came to town. Just curious why "richer" teams such as Lakers, Knicks do not have their own aircraft. Delta must offer a decent deal.

That's probably a charter aircraft, actually. The red wings used to have a plane painted up as their aircraft, but it was owned and operated by USA jet. The wings simply paid somebody to paint it up in their colors.

 

[MikeD]

Interesting. Is this a contract? If so, do you know how long it is? It's pointless information for me to know, however I am just curious. I know the Houston rockets had their own 727 when they came to town. Just curious why "richer" teams such as Lakers, Knicks do not have their own aircraft. Delta must offer a decent deal.

That's probably a charter aircraft, actually. The red wings used to have a plane painted up as their aircraft, but it was owned and operated by USA jet. The wings simply paid somebody to paint it up in their colors.

America West used to provide the team plane for the Phoenix Suns, and it was a 737-100 in Suns colors N708AW, in fact, one of the last 737-100s flying. Retired and scrapped around 2000.

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

Regular line pilots. Some planes are reconfigured, I believe some of the 320s are. @PeanuckleCRJ ?

Yep! There are 7 or 8 319s converted into VIP config each winter for charters. They hold around 45 or 50 people and are soooo sweet on the inside.

The charters are typically built into the trips in the bid pack unless they are last minute pop ups... that holds true for all fleets, not just the special short busses.

 

[Cptnchia]

Sounds like we may also be converting 10 757s into full time charter planes soon.

 

[Buzo]

The NBA charters are A319s that have reconfigured cabins. The NBA charters are the only ones that utilize the reconfigured aircraft. NFL, MLB and NCAA charters utilize regular configuration aircraft. it doesn't take long to reconfigure the interiors, so the aircraft aren't out of service, but a few days if that. All charters are flown by regular line pilots.

NHL also use the VIP 319's. They are very nice inside.