End of an Era. The last 747 will roll out this evening.

[Astro14]

Your post got me thinking about the "Gimli Glider", flight 143 out of Winnipeg in 1983. That was a 767, sort of an over grown 737.

I asked a retired Air Canada pilot that had worked there since the TCA days flying Vangards if he ever saw in his 35 years up there, anything like a UFO ?
" Well, we were headed east over Nevada on a flight from LA (X) to Winnipeg, we could see the lights of Vegas on our right and something
passed us like we were standing still. We both looked at each other and said; what the _____ was that?"
His wife backed up the story, because that's all he talked about for a week.
I didn't think that USAF aircraft were allowed to buzz commercial airliners. So what could it have been?

OK, let’s back the conversation up, a bit.

The 767 is a newer, larger, more sophisticated, longer range and more capable airplane than the 737.

It’s not an “overgrown 737”. They share a configuration (twin engine) and that’s about it. Same way a Jetta and a Porsche share a configuration (four wheels) but you wouldn’t call a Porsche an overgrown Jetta.

Next, nobody buzzed your friend. If it was that fast, it may not have been an airplane. A light moving in the sky can be a meteor, a satellite, or other natural phenomena. Or it may have been an airplane out of Nellis AFB, but it was nowhere close to your airliner.

 

[4WD]

Area 51

 

[Just a civilian pilot]

I was at CVG when it landed last night. On the first approach they did a go around, so I got to see it come in twice. On the second approach a flock of geese came in from the left... I was concentrating more on getting the video but as I was listening to them honking and watching them come in to view out of the corner of my eye the only thing I could think of was "well this could get really ugly". After reviewing the video it was clear that they were plenty low enough but as it was happening it give me some momentary heebie jeebies. Beautiful plane.

View attachment 138335View attachment 138336

Best looking plane on final ( Concorde also ).

 

[GON]

I learned something in this thread. The amount of windows in the upper deck does.not equate to age. I erroneously assumed the less windows in the upper deck meant it was a older model.

 

[PimTac]

I learned something in this thread. The amount of windows in the upper deck does.not equate to age. I erroneously assumed the less windows in the upper deck meant it was a older model.

The early versions had a shorter second deck.

 

[y_p_w]

The early versions had a shorter second deck.

I believe the production of different models overlapped though. The -200, -300, and -400 were simultaneously in production when the -400 went into production. They all had different hump lengths.

 

[Astro14]

I believe the production of different models overlapped though. The -200, -300, and -400 were simultaneously in production when the -400 went into production. They all had different hump lengths.

They did. For passenger jets.

The cargo jets all had minimal upper decks. So, a -100, -200, -400, or even -8, freighter would have a short upper deck.

 

[wpod]

OK, let’s back the conversation up, a bit.

The 767 is a newer, larger, more sophisticated, longer range and more capable airplane than the 737.

It’s not an “overgrown 737”. They share a configuration (twin engine) and that’s about it. Same way a Jetta and a Porsche share a configuration (four wheels) but you wouldn’t call a Porsche an overgrown Jetta.

Next, nobody buzzed your friend. If it was that fast, it may not have been an airplane. A light moving in the sky can be a meteor, a satellite, or other natural phenomena. Or it may have been an airplane out of Nellis AFB, but it was nowhere close to your airliner.

Showing my age the air cooled Porsches were to me fancy VW bugs. In the middle 1970s ever other person I knew seemed to have a 911 of some variant. I love the [911] 930 turbo models they were fun. I am not a car nut but the turbo model and the Dodge Hellcat engined cars are the only vehicles I thought about spending the dollars on..

 

[GON]

Pimtac posted the omega 747. Here is the alpha 747.

The first Boeing 747 is rolled out during ceremonies at its assembly plant in Everett, Washington. (September 30, 1968).

 

[53' Stude]

I flew on a KLM 747-300 back in 2003. Very amazing and nice airplane

 

[SaberOne]

I’ve flown a lot miles in a 747, from the 1970s through the 1990’s. There was a 12 year period where I flew exclusively first class, thanks to my employer at the time. That was back when flying was special and everyone behaved, even in peasant-class. Now that I’m at the back of the bus, I don’t fly as often.

 

[y_p_w]

I’ve flown a lot miles in a 747, from the 1970s through the 1990’s. There was a 12 year period where I flew exclusively first class, thanks to my employer at the time. That was back when flying was special and everyone behaved, even in peasant-class. Now that I’m at the back of the bus, I don’t fly as often.

It wasn't that great. I remember being a passenger during that period and I got sick from the cloud of smoke.

 

[SaberOne]

It wasn't that great. I remember being a passenger during that period and I got sick from the cloud of smoke.

Oh yes, how soon I forgotten. Remember how they used to have a non-smoking section?
Every time my girlfriend comes to visit me from Italy, I look around for the best price for upgrading from ‘peasant’ to ‘pagan class’ (business) but it’s still out of my reach.

Oh, I almost forgot. I had an interesting flight from Panama/Nicaragua to Florida, and there was a rooster on the plane. That, combined with the rest of the clientele was very strange. I went to use the restroom, but as soon as I open the door I changed my mind. Heck, I’ve been on military combat flights that were much nicer.

 

[y_p_w]

Oh yes, how soon I forgotten. Remember how they used to have a non-smoking section?
Every time my girlfriend comes to visit me from Italy, I look around for the best price for upgrading from ‘peasant’ to ‘pagan class’ (business) but it’s still out of my reach.

I was on a 13 hour flight to Asia in the nonsmoking section of a 747SP. There was essentially no nonsmoking section since the cloud didn't respect boundaries.

 

[GON]

I was on a 13 hour flight to Asia in the nonsmoking section of a 747SP. There was essentially no nonsmoking section since the cloud didn't respect boundaries.

Marriott Hotels have a worldwide prohibition for smoking in their hotels. The exception is Marriotts that cater to Chinese clientele, smoking is permitted.

 

[PimTac]

Marriott Hotels have a worldwide prohibition for smoking in their hotels. The exception is Marriotts that cater to Chinese clientele, smoking is permitted.

The Marriott that I used to frequent quite often had an enclosed room with an air lock for smokers. The rest of the hotel was non smoking. This was in Manila with lots of Chinese tourists.

The airports had similar setups

 

[GON]

The Marriott that I used to frequent quite often had an enclosed room with an air lock for smokers. The rest of the hotel was non smoking. This was in Manila with lots of Chinese tourists.

The airports had similar setups

Chinese clientele have the "buying power" and influence at this time. Marriotts in Asia that cater to Chinese clientele have smoking hotel rooms, smoking in dining areas, smoking in outdoor areas like pools, etc.

 

[y_p_w]

Marriott Hotels have a worldwide prohibition for smoking in their hotels. The exception is Marriotts that cater to Chinese clientele, smoking is permitted.

That flight was in the mid-80s though. I do remember entering business class to use lav and it did smell better there since smoking wasn't allowed there and the curtains seemed to help a bit.

 

[PimTac]

Chinese clientele have the "buying power" and influence at this time. Marriotts in Asia that cater to Chinese clientele have smoking hotel rooms, smoking in dining areas, smoking in outdoor areas like pools, etc.

That’s typical of the region. They do love to smoke. The casinos were full of smokers though they had a lot of ventilation going.

We may be going over that way later this year if all works out. We will likely avoid Manila though. That airport has its problems. Our pick right now is CEB. Marriott has a real nice hotel nearby too.

 

[4WD]

Oh yes, how soon I forgotten. Remember how they used to have a non-smoking section?
Every time my girlfriend comes to visit me from Italy, I look around for the best price for upgrading from ‘peasant’ to ‘pagan class’ (business) but it’s still out of my reach.

I recall smokers in the front of BA wide bodies … have some wine … a nice meal … finish the movie … lights out for some sleep …

Then light comes on behind you … Zippo lighter flash … smoke across you … opens a new copy of War & Peace … orders 3rd Scotch