Auburn Charter Flight - How Silly

[RT3413]

This has got to be the epitome of silliness. Not only did Auburn charter a 747 (!) for their flight to Arizona, bringing 400 people, they also apparently had Delta change the flight route to fly them over Auburn on their way out to Phoenix.

Comparatively, Alabama chartered a 757 (capacity about 220 pax) out of Birmingham to go to Pasadena - the same plane we charter to fly to Gainesville, Arkansas, etc. They would have gone out of Tuscaloosa but the runway there isn't long enough for a 757 to take off with enough fuel to go cross country.

I may be the only aviation geek interested enough to look this stuff up but, to me, this is just a notch above the "Tiger Prowl" in silliness. I hope they continue this right up through the game.... more chances for the Ducks to come through with the right attitude and approach.

Flight Path of Auburn Charter
Flight Path of Another Plane On The Same Route Later That Day
Auburn Tigers arrive for National Championship game with roughly 400 passengers - ESPN

 

[BSin80]

I guess the thought process is that they had better take the entire fambily...it may be over 50 years before they have another shot at it.

 

[FitToBeTide]

Wonder what the tab on that deal was?

 

[bamamoss2]

I guess the thought process is that they had better take the entire fambily...it may be over 50 years before they have another shot at it.

It all is tied to the "all in" concept. All aboard for those tied to the Cam$cam. Surprised they did not have a fleet of them.....

 

[bayoutider]

The extra seats were for all the extra lawyers and agents. The fly over Auburn was for one last look at where they used to play football.

 

[Leeroy]

And in other news...

Cam Newton still loves "hisself".

http://cmsimg.montgomeryadvertiser....Ref=AR&Profile=1179&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0


Roll Tide

 

[TIDEnGA]

Wonder what the tab on that deal was?

A 757 or 767 can be anywhere from $250,000 - $500,000. Delta didn't start chartering 747's until this year or last (never had them in the fleet until merging with Northwest). Our old L1011's would charter upwards of a million dollars, and that was 15-20 years ago! Off the top of my head I'd say at least a million dollars. I saw at least 2 schools charter 747's this year - Wisconsin and Michigan.

Last year when Alabama flew to Pasadena there were at least 2 Delta 757 charters. One was strictly for the team and coaches (and coaches' families) and one for athletic administration. I was on the players' charter out to Pasadena, and it's an experience I'll never forget. There actually may have been three 757 charters now that I think about it. There was also at least one non-Delta charter (don't know the airline name) for other university administration (professors and university leaders) and 2 or 3 band charters.

I have no idea why Auburn would have needed to take 400 people out with them now, other than they truly believe it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Seems a little overboard to me.

 

[TideMan09]

Silly Barners..Let 'em enjoy the spotlight for now & have their fun..It probably won't happen again in our lifetime..Unlike auburn..Our Boys was in "Serious Business" mode from the time we won the SEC Championship..To the time we won the NC last year..From what I've seen on TV about Oregon..They too are in "Serious Business" mode..I'm getting a feeling The Barners will be the SEC team to not bring home the NC..

 

[TIDEnGA]

I'm getting a feeling The Barners will be the SEC team to not bring home the NC..

I sure hope you're right! I'm about over all of this.

BTW, Auburn may have gotten a flight path specifically over Auburn, but I seriously doubt the FAA would have done it just on a whim. Auburn/Opelika is definitely flown over many times leaving/arriving into Atlanta. It's just usually not announced as such. Most often the direct flight path to PHX is over Birmingham though.

 

[FitToBeTide]

I sure hope you're right! I'm about over all of this.

BTW, Auburn may have gotten a flight path specifically over Auburn, but I seriously doubt the FAA would have done it just on a whim. Auburn/Opelika is definitely flown over many times leaving/arriving into Atlanta. It's just usually not announced as such. Most often the direct flight path to PHX is over Birmingham though.

Looks to me they deviated the flight plan to pass over the University of Auburn. They probably all waved when they passed over.:biggrin:

Youbethejudge

 

[RT3413]

You can file IFR with any route - wouldn't be hard to work out a route that took you over KAUO from KATL. It is overflown, but not usually on a departure to the west - it's usually overflown when planes are heading in on a LaGrange Two arrival. More common to overly KTCL when headed west - have flown over BDS with a clear view en route to DFW, PHX and SAN before.

 

[h2o]

How are they gonna transport the John Deers and all those cows?

 

[bamagradinATL]

I'm not the least bit suprised by this one. I wonder if Milty was on the plane.

 

[AlistarWills]

I'm sure he has his own fleet.

I'm not the least bit suprised by this one. I wonder if Milty was on the plane.

 

[TIDEnGA]

You can file IFR with any route - wouldn't be hard to work out a route that took you over KAUO from KATL. It is overflown, but not usually on a departure to the west - it's usually overflown when planes are heading in on a LaGrange Two arrival. More common to overly KTCL when headed west - have flown over BDS with a clear view en route to DFW, PHX and SAN before.

Yep, you are right on eastbound arrivals and westbound departures.

FWIW, Alabama under Saban doesn't travel with such a huge entourage. Just not his style. Also, one little tidbit and I know it doesn't matter at all. Alabama still travels in coat and tie or coat and t'neck. Auburn in their sweats on this one.

 

[RKel32]

I know they are different planes, but it's interesting that Auburn's flight was shorter than the comparative flight while adding only 61 miles.

 

[legba]

Con Air

 

[REBELZED]

Con Air

Hahaha, good one!

 

[TiderB]

It's like a flying Noah's Ark.

 

[UA2373]

Alabama didn't have to take an army of lawyers and PR specialist's with them either. Serious question- Could the band, cheerleader, etc account for the 747? (If it would hold them)