But those old -two engine- DC 9's are still here!

I was flying MD-11 F/O when the first 777's came out of Everett. One day we are on our way to Narita from ATL, and along comes a 777, I can't remember who's, might have been UAL, or maybe AA, but it was one of the first I'd seen, I think this was around 1998. Anyway, we are going about the same route past Anchorage, so on interplane I ask, "Hey, what's your fuel burn right now?" He was higher and faster than we were. They come back with about the same number, per engine, as ours...but we had 3 of them!

I looked at the Capt. and said, "Wow, they're burning 1/3 less fuel than we are. If oil prices go up, these things will be toast!"

And oil was very cheap back then, compared to today. And it's not just about fuel, but about maintaining 50% more engines, on a 3 engine airplane or 100% more engines on a 4 banger.

So where did our MD 11's end up, World? Fed Ex? I can't remember, but I know our old DC 8's went to UPS. I don't remember where our old 747's went, it was before my time at DAL.

 

You get 1/3 the agreed upon run time above your guarantee. That's been the only bright spot for my several trips through the schoolhouse.

 

Cool thanks

 

Excuse my ignorance, but how is getting paid 1/3 of the run time a bright spot?

I look at that (among other training pay deficiencies) as something that needs to pay 100% of the run time.

 

As soon as you load the completion code into iCrew, you can check your time card and there will be a pay amount listed down near the bottom that will show you the exact amount of time you are being paid for it. Here's a hint...it's about 2/3rds less than it should be.

 

I got about a third of the way through it and gave up. What a waste of time! I've got zombies to kill on the xbox.

 

I've done hard time there.

 

The last time I did it (A320) it took about a day to hit the time card so don't panic.

 

FTB's new theme song. Wonder if he looks anything like the Jefferson's neighbor?



GJ

 

Which kind of leads into the "productivity" argument of FedEx pilots vs DAL pilots and what they carry in their airplanes. What I am having a hard time describing is that they are very much more productive than we are because they can fly an airframe that burns 33% more gas and still be profitable.. THAT is why I hate the productivity argument. Pay because of productivity is stupid. Management buys the vehicle. We don't.