Jump to content

* * * * *

Back in Blue - Boeing 747-400F


Back in Blue - Boeing 747-400F

The morning after Raines' bankruptcy, employees stormed the airline's headquarters in Los Angeles. They made their way to the office of Al Bangh and angrily demanded his resignation, with one threatening physical violence and had to be restrained by police. Overwhelmed by the opposition from employees and now stockholders, Bangh stepped down the following day. When interviewed he said that the situation regarding Raines had "not developed to the airline's advantage," but claimed that he was "being attacked for creating a strategy of success."

Stockholders would hold Bangh's successor to a vote a week later. They would reach their decision soon after, and on February 27th, 2001, Nathan Raines would assume the position of CEO. Nathan was Charles Raines' son, and had served as a pilot in the company and had declined executive roles before Bangh's tenure. However, he would humbly accept the position as he thought it was in his interest to prevent another incident.

Raines would start work to resume flights right away. He reinstated many benefits the pilots had, and drafted new scheduling rules. He was naturally charismatic, so he managed to also get back the contractors lost during 2000. He proved to be popular with employees and stockholders, which was just what the company needed at the time. After raising about 5 million dollars in funding, flights restarted on June 10th in a limited capacity due to the loss of the narrowbody fleet.

Q2 and Q3 would operate on a slim profit, Q3 especially because of the economic effects of the September 11th attacks. The holiday season was extremely profitable due to the partnerships between courier companies set by Nathan Raines. The company would finally exit bankruptcy protection in February of 2002, a whole year after Chapter 11 was filed.

That same year, Raines Air would take up the first 747-400F from a 2000 order for 8. It was registered N418RI. The aircraft would be the first to carry the new company livery, which also renamed Raines International to officially Raines Air. The aircraft still flies for the company as of 2022.

Within one year, Raines Air made a seemingly impossible turnaround.



    Loving the effort on the lore, and great job on the livery. The work on the tail « R » logo is excellent.

    Loving the effort on the lore, and great job on the livery. The work on the tail « R » logo is excellent.

    I appreciate that coming from you!
    Stealing that logo for my name

    Stealing that logo for my name

    No

    Yeah this is excellent. The R logo looks excellent, and the livery is perfect for a cargo airline. Nice work!