Originally Posted by
acl65pilot
Carl, I am stating what is apparent. You have been around long enough to realize that until the rubber hits the runway it is all suspect.
Seriously though. Look at the delivery dates of the 787. Now go talk to your MTC guys and look at when these 744 are coming due for their heavy checks. It is more than a mere coincidence.
I fact checked this and from the data that I have it is clear as day.
OK, I'll bite. There is no way a 787 will be able to handle the loads we fly into and out of NRT. I've had loads of 400+ on nearly every leg of this trip. Use of the 787 was a "game changer" for NWA in two way:
1. The routes that will bypass NRT from North America
2. The few routes from North America to NRT where the loads are consistently in the low 300 range.
The -400's will need their heavy checks and then keep flying. Either that or give up capacity on high load factor profitable legs to our competitors.
I know this probably doesn't change anyone's mind because the template is that the 787 is a replacement for the 747-400, but I thought I might give it a try.
Carl