Originally Posted by
Regularguy
The problem is/was if one gets used to "flaring" the airplane on to get a "smooth" landing and then changes to a -900, well let's say old habits are hard to break.
Exactly! The thing is, I don't know if we've had any tail strikes in the -900, even though we've had it longer (though there are fewer) than the "ER". The "ER" has a slower approach speed and, I believe, different ground spoilers. This results in a situation where being a couple of knots below ref, even if you're well below the ground contact pitch angle at touchdown, can result in a tail strike due to the pitch up from spoiler deployment. This is all stuff I was unaware of until I flew with an FO who told me about their tail strike.
I think I like the earlier 80 knot call better, but if the "experts" change the SOP I will follow.
I've done both and prefer the 100 KIAS call as 80 seems to happen so quickly after brake release. We continue for a fire light in the high speed regime and I like the extra 20 knots before I get there. Like you, I'll do whatever the powers that be come up.