Still Report #463 - UPS Refugee Flights Confirmed

The Still Report ^ | Bill Still

[GregB]

White House buys ups clothes

[The Antiyuppie]

After thinking about this a bit, this scenario makes sense; mostly cargo planes would be converted this way because it would be easier to convert (for military-style cargo handling, loads, and so on. When the planes are built this stuff is added to make the conversion easier, the planes are heavier than standard, and part of the subsidy covers the extra fuel costs for carrying that deadweight around most of the time.

It will be interesting to see if UPS has “unanticipated delays due to equipment shortages”. Or, maybe some people might be getting a Syrian orphan for Christmas instead of a new laptop.

[The Antiyuppie]

“these planes are not set up for passengers not to mention UPS probably understands how unpopular this might be so negative press would potentially outweigh any profit from carrying passengers. That is not their business model.”

If you see the above posts, they might not have a choice in the matter.

[volunbeer]

Here is the only link I found about this - from aircargoworld - sounds like supplies only to the refugees over there. Nothing about passengers.

http://aircargoworld.com/ups-comes-to-aid-of-syrian-refugees/

[C Lee Tolindo]

That video confirms nothing.

[The Antiyuppie]

“Here is the only link I found about this - from aircargoworld - sounds like supplies only to the refugees over there. Nothing about passengers.”

No doubt, the planes are chock-full of exports from Syria on the way back. No one would deadhead a plane like those unless they are handsomely paid.

[The Antiyuppie]

“That video confirms nothing.”

I agree; I’m working under the “where there’s smoke...” concept here.

[Ezekiel]

Don't forget, that some planes are equipped to be quickly converted to military use (the government pays for this, as a contingency for wartime).

Interesting. The veracity of this story aside, "contingency for wartime" sure takes on an ominous tone. Troops = refugees, kind of like how a political ideology is called a religion of peace.

After all, we've already seen how illegal "refugee children" from south of the border have been flown in and seeded throughout the fruited plane er plain.

[volunbeer]

We have seen other allegations from non-mainstream media that have proven to not be true. If UPS is delivering aid to the refugees over there good on them and it would be a shame that people look at one thread to a youtube video from one man who alleges this and they decide to boycott a U.S. company that employs lots of Americans. That was my point.

There are several air passenger charter companies that contract with the UN - our military uses some of them for charter flights that would be far more likely to transport refugees than UPS.

In this era of media it pays to be skeptical - especially of bloggers who have lots of advertisements on their sites. It pays to write something sensational so that people email it to their friends or link it on facebook so others open the page and they get paid every time. Their is a profit motive to sensational reporting. I don’t trust the MSM, but generally they are far more accurate with facts than bloggers or independent media because they get more scrutiny even if they twist the story. I know this was a link to a youtube video, but even there this guy is asking people to send money (albeit a dollar).

Again, I think this is not true so I think a boycott of UPS is unwarranted. I don’t have any affiliation with UPS either.

[volunbeer]

I am familiar with the Civil Reserve Aviation Fleet or CRAF. Each American flagged carrier (cliff notes here) agrees to have so many of their aircraft equipped with reinforced floors that can handle military cargo. This causes them to have fuel costs that are a bit higher due to the increased weight. The government offsets this a bit by paying higher contract fares for government employees travelling for official purposes.

Nothing sinister about this and it’s a good deal for the taxpayers. We get increased airframe and airlift capability for minimal costs for our military. If you want to learn more about it here is link to a summary -

http://www.amc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=234

[volunbeer]

Sorry - you need to be accurate. Posts on this forum reflect on the credibility of FR and this is not (thankfully) a forum for late night AM radio. We have now had a youtube video of a guy talking with no proof of anything and some FReepers are ready to boycott UPS?

It would be a pretty big deal for the CRAF to be called up. The military does not use CRAF planes for general missions - they belong to the parent airline/air cargo companies. I can’t remember for certain, but I think it would take something very major or even a Presidential order (similar to calling up the Reserves) for the military to take control of CRAF aircraft (and pilots/crew).

[Ezekiel]

Thanks much. In normal America, I wouldn’t have had even a passing thought that a plan like this could be anything but a wise contingency for national emergencies and/or the defense of the Republic.

In ObamAmerica, howver, anything and everything can be corrupted and exploited for evil use.

>>>

The following air carriers are members of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (subject to change monthly)

International Segment - Long Range
ABX Air
Air Transport International American Airlines
Atlas Air
Delta Air Lines
Federal Express Airlines Hawaiian Airlines
Kalitta Air Cargo
National Air Cargo Group dba National Airlines Omni Air International
Polar Air Cargo United Air Lines
United Parcel Service

International Segment - Short Range
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines Delta Air Lines Jet Blue Airways Lynden Air Cargo
Miami Air International
MN Airlines dba Sun Country Northern Air Cargo
United Air Lines

National Segment - Domestic
Allegiant Air
Southwest Airlines
Tantonduk Outfitters dba Everts Air Cargo

[Chode]

you were saying?

As the jet fleet flies primarily on weekdays, UPS was eager to find ways for its aircraft to produce income other ways. In the 1990s, eight 727s were converted (at a cost of $2.5 million each) into 727-100QC (QC=Quick Change) freighters that were able to be converted into passenger aircraft for the purpose of charters.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UPS_Airlines

[2CAVTrooper]

You’re referring to the CRAF.... Cargo haulers such as UPS and FedEx would handle the freight, where as airlines such as Delta, United, American would use their airliners to ferry the troops.

[volunbeer]

I don’t think the 727 is used for transatlantic passenger flights, but I could be wrong. Not a pilot or UPS employee.

My point stands - I am not sure the guy in the linked youtube video that started this threat is correct nor am I sure that UPS is flying Syrian refugees into the U.S.

Let’s call it waiting for further corroboration before I decide to boycott UPS.

[volunbeer]

Oops = threat should say thread above

[Chode]

i never said anything about banning anything, just that they DO have the capability so ship people if they so chose

also the video makes no mention of them being flown in by UPS from out of the country, simply flown into PA

[volunbeer]

Fair enough - I just wanted to make sure we got the information correct because all of us can clearly read that some people are jumping to the conclusion on the thread that UPS is somehow conspiring with the administration to fly in Syrian refugees.

I had a hard time listening to that video so you are a better man than me if you could make it to the end!

[2CAVTrooper]

The CRAF is used all the time.

The largest deployments to date have been Desert Shield and OIF which were both level I. Level II requires SECDEF authorization, and level III (full mobilization under national emergency) requires POTUS or Congress.

Smaller call ups of the CRAF are used to move units to training bases such as Ft Irwin (NTC), or Ft Polk (JRTC), etc.... The airlines benefit from these in terms of valuable training.

[volunbeer]

I stand corrected if they use CRAF outside of unusual circumstances. I always took off in Air Force transports, but I did not always land in them.