2012 Fleet Plan - Page 5 - Airline Pilot Central Forums

#41

TacoTurbine , 02-12-2012 07:53 AM

Line Holder

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottopilot

Only UAL calls 737's guppies. I'm not sure why. The -500 looks like one, but the other 200 planes don't. I had a little A319 call my -900ER a guppy in SFO.

I never understood "guppy" to used in derogatory sense at UAL, rather as a term of endearment - a habit that will die hard hopefully.

#42

Andy , 02-12-2012 10:45 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by TacoTurbine

I never understood "guppy" to used in derogatory sense at UAL, rather as a term of endearment - a habit that will die hard hopefully.

Agreed. I could make a stronger case for 'fifi' being derogatory, yet I'll keep calling 320 variants 'fifi'. Of course, not depressing the PTU valve postflight only reinforces the nickname.

#43

A320 , 02-12-2012 11:01 AM

Gets Weekends Off

I don't find FIFI offensive either. I am secure in my masculinity so you can call the French Biiiiaaaach anything you want. It is still more quiet and comfortable than almost everything with a yoke in it.

#44

Ottopilot , 02-12-2012 11:27 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by A320

I love how the 737-900 is alway being compared as an equal to the 757. How come LCAL doesn't fly it across the Atlantic then? it's because the -900 isn't the same and isn't capable. Oh ya, the 757 isn't the best plane to cross the Atlantic either with the fuel stops that are widely reported. How often has any model of the 767, 777, A330, or 747 ever had to stop for fuel coming back to the east coast of the US?

The Guppy is an awesome plane though. I spent 11 years on it. It is like my Harley Softtail. Fun on short rides but sucks if you are strapped to it for 5 hours straight. My rear end would get used to it nicely at SWA rates I have to admit.

I've flown every model of the 737 and 757. I wasn't saying they are equal. I hate the 737! I said the 737-900 and 757-200 have the same fuselage and seat capacity. That's all, nothing more. The 737NG have better seats than the 757's. They have better headrests too (757 doesn't even have them). I won't argue with the cockpit size; the 757 has more room.

I did lots of Berlin and Barcelona to EWR in the 757 and never stopped for fuel. The "Guppy" is short and fat, the 737-800/900 doesn't fit that description anymore. The -500/700 does. I don't see the term "guppy" as negative either. I just never use the term, nor have I ever heard it on CAL property. I have no platform here, nor do I care about the term.

#45

socalflyboy , 02-12-2012 01:20 PM

Gets Weekends Off

"Clearance, United xxxx, Number one Guppy, spot number 2, with Zulu"..you heard it here first folks..say it all the time.

#46

EWRflyr , 02-13-2012 06:34 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by A320

A320,

I don't know of any CAL pilot who views the 737-900 as being equal to the 757-200. They aren't. While we say the seating is the same, they are not even close in mission capabilities. We recognize that. However, convincing management of this is something completely different.

I agree with you though that the 737 cockpit is not well designed for long flights (or flight bags either for that matter). My favorite line ever from a SW captain several years ago when jumpseating on SW right around the time they started their east coast expansion and longer haul flights:

"We have to head across the country to LAS (out of BWI). My two-hour a** won't do well on a five-hour flight!"