Originally Posted by
III Corps
So, having flown McDougs and Boeings, what are your comparisons of the two?
Never flew the -9 but spent a while on the -80 and it took a while to get used to. But the higher extension speeds (flaps, slats and gear) along with the fast extension of flaps was a plus for the -80. Didn't care for the speedbrake. -80 cockpit was quieter than the 737 but neither aircraft is at the front for comfort and space, especially when driving for more than 2hrs.
Didn't fly the NGs but the autoland was better on the 737 than the -80.
Boeing currently has its hands full and its customers are telling Boeing they had better get their act together on this one. Time is NOT working in Boeing's favor.
Why don't you care for the speedbrake on the -88? I've heard many complaints about the -88, but that's a new one..
The 737-800 (and 737-232) autoland is much better than the -88 - as it should be due to 20+ years more technology (oh, and the $40 million higher price tag).
-88 cockpit is quiet and much roomier than the 737 if you can believe it...I don't feel near as fatigued at the end of a trip as I did on the 737 (10 years). All in all, the whining and complaining I have heard about the maddog is unfounded and usually lodged by somebody who never flew it.
I can't speak about the Airbus - know nothing about it, except it has a tray table, which is way cool for napping.
JMHO, but I suspect Airbus and the French government are just fine about the FDR being 12,000' underwater.