A charter? Or just an upgrade?

Tampa Bay Bucs charter.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/U...5/history/20121229/2030Z/KTPA/KATL

Saw that as I was flying out to SAV this afternoon. Found it a little different that it was parked on D (and they loaded it from there, as when I got back from my SAN turn I saw the two coach buses driving on the field) and not at Landmark, but guess it was more efficient for UA to do it from the terminal and load the plane using airstairs.

For whatever reason, UA seems more apt than some other carriers - especially DL - to load its NFL charters at or near the terminal. At BNA, UA and HA generally park on a gate for their NFL charters; DL does not. I don't know if there's a reason for this or whether UA makes a conscious effort to do it this way.

On The NFL Charters that I have worked, its up to what the NFL team requested with the Charter Cord. My Brother Flys on some of the Raider Charters and it depends on where they are going as to where they are going to park. I had KC in Denver get dropped off at the FBO so the players could go straight to the bus, and we loaded at the Gate in KC. I know my brother has taken the Raiders to North Island rather then SAN. He Also took a Raider Charter to Denver, and boarded at the same FBO, but had to taxi to a gat to board Al Davis. Same with the NBA Charters, I have seen them loaded at the Hangar or gate or across the field at the FBO. It all depends how the team wants to go. Most Collage Football teams like to get loaded and deplane at the Hangar. I think it also depends where and who has access to a gate to get the Bus and Trucks on and off the Field. At our Hangar the gate is controlled by my Airline, and makes the trip quick to the Aircraft. HTH

Quoting Cubsrule (Reply 3): For whatever reason, UA seems more apt than some other carriers - especially DL - to load its NFL charters at or near the terminal.

When DL was flying the Saints, they would load at the Atlantic FBO away from the terminal (same with the Hornets). Since UA has now taken over flying the Saints, I wonder if they are still using Atlantic, I assume that they are but does anybody know?

Where does UA use their 753's on scheduled service? I rarely see them here in HNL which would seem to be tailored made for that aircraft such as the DL 753's.

I noted a UA 753 at PIT with the Browns charter on Saturday. I wonder if Tampa and the Browns used the same aircraft. Chartering a 753 for CLE-PIT seems like some serious over kill. The Steelers drive to CLE using buses but the Browns seem to usually use the 753. Stadium to stadium/hotel its actually faster to drive than fly.

Quoting Flaps (Reply 7): I noted a UA 753 at PIT with the Browns charter on Saturday. I wonder if Tampa and the Browns used the same aircraft. Chartering a 753 for CLE-PIT seems like some serious over kill. The Steelers drive to CLE using buses but the Browns seem to usually use the 753. Stadium to stadium/hotel its actually faster to drive than fly.

Lots of teams like to stay together as opposed to 4 charter buses going down the highway and buses aren't that cheap anymore either, also seen buses down and then the charter flight back, some college teams will do that too.

Don't think they used the same plane, both teams inflight about the same time.

Quoting brilondon (Reply 6): Where does UA use their 753's on scheduled service? I rarely see them here in HNL which would seem to be tailored made for that aircraft such as the DL 753's.

This will show where they are in flight, looks like they get to Hawaii pretty often.

http://flightaware.com/live/aircrafttype/B753



[Edited 2012-12-31 12:05:29]

Quoting 71Zulu (Reply 8): Lots of teams like to stay together as opposed to 4 charter buses going down the highway and buses aren't that cheap anymore either, also seen buses down and then the charter flight back, some college teams will do that too.

They still have to split up in buses to get to and from the airport. The bus rides to /from the airports in this case on each end are longer than the flight itself.

Quoting Flaps (Reply 9): They still have to split up in buses to get to and from the airport. The bus rides to /from the airports in this case on each end are longer than the flight itself.

True, might be something in their contracts about all trips must fly. The Falcons took buses to CLT last year and I think a couple years ago Browns took buses to DTW, maybe that is what killed the bus trips for them.

I can't wait for the NFL season to be over and be done with these silly airplane XXX in YYYY. Almost 99% of the time a simple check of the NFL schedule is a answer.

Quoting brilondon (Reply 6):

They do transcons from LAX & SFO to IAD daily


FLY