73 vs. 320
11-29-2016, 04:53 AM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2014
Posts: 1,681
Originally Posted by swaayze
Brand new on the 320 (<50 hrs). Flew the old steam gauge 73 nearly 20 years ago, so I can't exactly direct-compare but I do have opinions on the flying characteristics. And fwiw, I'm coming off the 80, so I guess I'm a dinosaur at heart.
So far, I'm not wild about the 320, but then I haven't flown consistently in the two months I've been on it (vacation and luck on short call reserve) so I'm not particularly comfortable with it yet. Totally different "hand flying" machine and takes a bit of brainpower going between "managed" and "selected" and such.
Heard along the way that the 320 will make a bad pilot mediocre and it will make a good pilot mediocre; I used to consider myself a good pilot but I'm feeling quite mediocre now (hopefully I've regressed?). I'm sure once I get used to it I'll like it ok, but right now I'm kinda wishing I had bid the 73. I loved the 73, though admittedly it was my first jet.
More importantly, It's looking like the 320 will be a larger status in DFW and therefore probably offer more variety and opportunities. The cockpit is reasonably comfy and quiet. But, the bottom line is as others say: take whichever gets you to DFW first.
So far, I'm not wild about the 320, but then I haven't flown consistently in the two months I've been on it (vacation and luck on short call reserve) so I'm not particularly comfortable with it yet. Totally different "hand flying" machine and takes a bit of brainpower going between "managed" and "selected" and such.
Heard along the way that the 320 will make a bad pilot mediocre and it will make a good pilot mediocre; I used to consider myself a good pilot but I'm feeling quite mediocre now (hopefully I've regressed?). I'm sure once I get used to it I'll like it ok, but right now I'm kinda wishing I had bid the 73. I loved the 73, though admittedly it was my first jet.
More importantly, It's looking like the 320 will be a larger status in DFW and therefore probably offer more variety and opportunities. The cockpit is reasonably comfy and quiet. But, the bottom line is as others say: take whichever gets you to DFW first.
Don't be afraid to ask questions or speak up if it is doing something you don't expect. It will.
Last edited by jcountry; 11-29-2016 at 05:12 AM.
11-29-2016, 05:22 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,216
The AB does some wierd stuff, line prioritizing speed over altitude at hard crossing altitudes. So it bears watching. But once you realize it's weaknesses it's a decent job. Every airplane has it's flaws, weaknesses, or gotchas. 777? Awesome airplane. But even it has a couple of things not to do, like quick control inputs.
Junior AB guys worry that more senior 737 guys will realize the AB is a better job. It's the #1 observation "shut up, tell them it stinks."
Junior AB guys worry that more senior 737 guys will realize the AB is a better job. It's the #1 observation "shut up, tell them it stinks."
11-29-2016, 05:23 AM
#13
You scratched my anchor
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,876
Originally Posted by flyinawa
Nah. It's just chess versus checkers. If you understand why it does what it does (and some of the reasoning DOES suck) and you stay a few moves ahead of what it's going to do, it's awesome. Totally predictable.
By far the most comfortable plane to fly.
11-29-2016, 05:33 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,922
I would take 320 any day of the week except in my case where the 737 pays more money and does better trips. The 737 cockpit feels smaller to me than any jet I've ever flow, DC-9, MD-80, 320, EMB-145. I think it has to do with the side window being so close to my head and the CB panel being so close to my seat. 737 next gen has much better avionics than 320 which makes it a little more complicated to fly. 320 is easy, quiet, and comfortable. When it's all said and done, they all go up, they all go down. A plane's a plane.
11-29-2016, 05:55 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2008
Posts: 1,114
Originally Posted by SilverandSore
And don't forget the bus is full of surprises so it keeps things fresh. I hear guys with thousands and thousands of hours saying 'what's it doing?' Keeps the fun factor a little higher!
11-29-2016, 06:29 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,764
Originally Posted by swaayze
Brand new on the 320 (<50 hrs). Flew the old steam gauge 73 nearly 20 years ago, so I can't exactly direct-compare but I do have opinions on the flying characteristics. And fwiw, I'm coming off the 80, so I guess I'm a dinosaur at heart.
So far, I'm not wild about the 320, but then I haven't flown consistently in the two months I've been on it (vacation and luck on short call reserve) so I'm not particularly comfortable with it yet. Totally different "hand flying" machine and takes a bit of brainpower going between "managed" and "selected" and such.
Heard along the way that the 320 will make a bad pilot mediocre and it will make a good pilot mediocre; I used to consider myself a good pilot but I'm feeling quite mediocre now (hopefully I've regressed?). I'm sure once I get used to it I'll like it ok, but right now I'm kinda wishing I had bid the 73. I loved the 73, though admittedly it was my first jet.
More importantly, It's looking like the 320 will be a larger status in DFW and therefore probably offer more variety and opportunities. The cockpit is reasonably comfy and quiet. But, the bottom line is as others say: take whichever gets you to DFW first.
So far, I'm not wild about the 320, but then I haven't flown consistently in the two months I've been on it (vacation and luck on short call reserve) so I'm not particularly comfortable with it yet. Totally different "hand flying" machine and takes a bit of brainpower going between "managed" and "selected" and such.
Heard along the way that the 320 will make a bad pilot mediocre and it will make a good pilot mediocre; I used to consider myself a good pilot but I'm feeling quite mediocre now (hopefully I've regressed?). I'm sure once I get used to it I'll like it ok, but right now I'm kinda wishing I had bid the 73. I loved the 73, though admittedly it was my first jet.
More importantly, It's looking like the 320 will be a larger status in DFW and therefore probably offer more variety and opportunities. The cockpit is reasonably comfy and quiet. But, the bottom line is as others say: take whichever gets you to DFW first.
11-29-2016, 06:52 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2014
Posts: 1,681
Originally Posted by Sliceback
The AB does some wierd stuff, line prioritizing speed over altitude at hard crossing altitudes. So it bears watching. But once you realize it's weaknesses it's a decent job. Every airplane has it's flaws, weaknesses, or gotchas. 777? Awesome airplane. But even it has a couple of things not to do, like quick control inputs.
Junior AB guys worry that more senior 737 guys will realize the AB is a better job. It's the #1 observation "shut up, tell them it stinks."
Junior AB guys worry that more senior 737 guys will realize the AB is a better job. It's the #1 observation "shut up, tell them it stinks."
To anyone senior to me:
It is a stinky Eurotrash nightmare-stay far away!
11-29-2016, 08:19 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: 319/320/321...whatever it takes.
Posts: 492
Originally Posted by SilverandSore
And don't forget the bus is full of surprises so it keeps things fresh. I hear guys with thousands and thousands of hours saying 'what's it doing?' Keeps the fun factor a little higher!
Originally Posted by meyers9163
No the correct answer is "it's doing that thing again."
FO: "What's it doing now?"
CA: "Oh, it's doing that again?"
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