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Two Pilots Fired After Brazilian Pop Star Takes Captain's Seat Mid-Flight {Gadling}
May 20th 2013 11:14AM What's the big deal? 40 years ago, cockpit visits during a flight were routine. The only reason the mindset changed was because the Arab world is paying us back for our blind support of the zionists in the Middle East. And Brazil doesn't have to worry about "terror" attacks, because they aren't engaged in Middle Eastern imperialism like the U.S. and England.
Cockpit Chronicles: How I Fell In Love With An Airplane (Video) {Gadling}
May 13th 2013 12:41AM Al,
The TWA pilots also hated them for their long departure rolls when heavy. When TWA had their hub here in STL, it was routine to see a heavy MD-80 take 10,000 ft. on 30L in hot, humid summer weather in STL before the main gear was off the ground. It used to drive the controllers in the tower crazy, also, because of all the go-arounds they had to call because departing traffic was still on the runway with an arriving flight over the numbers. It was also very common to see arriving aircraft having to execute S-turns on final approach to give departing traffic more time to get off the ground.
Cockpit Chronicles: How I Fell In Love With An Airplane (Video) {Gadling}
May 13th 2013 12:32AM I enjoyed the video, Kent, as well as your postings.
First, a question: Are MD-80's / DC-9's / DC-8's hard to keep trimmed from rolling because of the 2-3 seating arrangement in coach? Doesn't that make for an unbalanced load? Or are the "D" seats on the centerline?
I suppose the reason the MD-80 has so many outdated quirks, is that it really is a DC-9 that has been stretched, re-engined, and some upgraded avionics. When it was developed to compete with the 73's, it was originally designated the DC-9-80/-83/-88 series, but after the DC-10 accidents, McDonnell Douglas switched to the MD designation to try and restore the flying public's confidence in the McDonnell Douglas company.
You are right about being a quiet ride in rows 3 - 6, but any seat after row 20 requires noise cancelling headphones. And for the life of me, I can't figure out why they decided to put 2 rows behind the galley in back on the left side of the cabin, so whoever sits there is staring at a gray carpeted wall the whole flight.
I also wonder how an MD-80 can have a Stage III noise rating for flying into MDW and SNA and whereever else there are noise restrictions. Back when TWA had their hub here in STL, the MD-80's seemed only marginally quieter than a DC-9, 737-200, or 727 with their JT8's. Not quite the explosive roar of a JT8, but more like an out of control vacuum cleaner.
Thanks for your column, and hopefully I'll get on one of your flights one day in or out of STL.
Tips for flying cheaper in 2012 {Gadling}
Feb 8th 2012 10:46AM Hint #3 will get you in trouble. You're not allowed to bring your own alcohol on board to consume during the flight. Federal regulation that all alcoholic beverages consumed during a flight must be served by an FA. And good luck trying to get the bottles past the tsa thugs. They'll keep them for themselves and have a party with your liquor.
Harry & David File for Bankruptcy {Slashfood}
Mar 28th 2011 3:40PM Sounds like someone's been cooking the books at H&D. For the prices they charge for what they send out, and they can't make money at it? I think the mba twits at H&D should see if they can get a refund on their tuition for their mba's.
What Not to Wear: How to Speed Through Airport Security {AOL Travel News}
Nov 24th 2010 10:32AM We wouldn't have to go through all of this b.s. if our country would stop its blind support of the apartheid terrorist regime in israel, and end our imperialistic ambitions in the Arab world. When was the last Arab terror threat against Brazil?
Because of our forced support of zionism, we have turned into a police state.
What Not to Wear: How to Speed Through Airport Security {AOL Travel News}
Nov 24th 2010 10:30AM We wouldn't have to go through all of this b.s. if our country would stop its blind support of the apartheid terrorist regime in israel, and end our imperialistic ambitions in the Arab world. When was the last Arab terror threat against Brazil?
Because of our forced support of zionism, we have turned into a police state.
Airlines to federal air marshals - get out of our first class cabins and sit in coach {Gadling}
Oct 21st 2010 3:40PM How about solving the problem once and for all? Stop making the Arab world mad at us because of our imperialism in the region, and stop our blind support of the apartheid zionist regime in israel. Problem solved, no more terror threats. When was the last Arab terrorist attack against Brazil?
Airline Fees on the Rise: What You Need to Know {AOL Travel News}
Apr 7th 2010 2:29PM Only 2 airlines on the list manage to show a profit most of the time, and they're the 2 that don't nickel and dime you to death, Southwest & JetBlue. The secret to making money in the airline business is to keep your planes in the air. Southwest does 30 minute turnarounds, all the legacy carriers take 60 to 90 minutes. Any questions?
Plane Answers: Paying off passengers on weight restricted flights and a question about approach speeds {Gadling}
Apr 7th 2010 11:21AM I had a flight from STL to Sioux City 10 years ago on a SAAB 50 turboprop. There were 7 of us on board a 30 seat aircraft, and all of us had to sit in the last 5 rows to maintain trim on the aircraft. Ahhh, the good old days when STL was a hub for TWA!
