Originally Posted by
Tuck
Do the other airlines put an underpowered 737 on that leg? I'm just surprised they set themselves up this way - that if the other runway is used then short of kicking off about 40 pax you'll have to do a stop and add an hour (and thereby pretty much guarantee everyone one connection misses their late night last flight connections). Seems like you're just setting yourself up for failure.
What an ignorant and arrogant way to frame the question. Just because you rarely have to make a tech stop or leave revenue behind does not mean you've chosen an under powered airframe. The 737 has limitations; we all know that. But, it's also a money maker and that's what really matters when I'm trying to fund my retirement. isn't it?
We fly the 737-800 off short runways on long legs very nicely, thank you. PHLI and PHOG come to mind. Both airports normally require flaps 25 with the short field option installed to make it happen. Surprise, it works! We make money. (hopefully they will start sharing it with us, bur that's a different subject)
Sure, I wish we could all fly 757s or 747s for that matter. I love flying in a wide body, but that's not the world we live in is it?