Well, maybe every airliner isn't as "busy" as others, but the 747 had a hell of a long checklist just to get to the runway. LONG LIST!! And once in the air its not just flaps up, gear up and fly, with an "after take-off checklist" with 8 items on it. It was quite extensive with "exact" challenge/response callouts we had to give. Corp jets are not like that. Without comparing a 747 and a Learjet checklist side-by-side, from brake release to level off at cruise altitude....................................
Corporate jets, compared to that is a picnic..
Not so sure this statement is true.. The 747-400 has 3 items on the before takeoff check. Flaps, flight controls, and flight instruments. The after takeoff check has 2 items, flaps up, gear up and off. No more checklists until coming through 18000 on the way down. The G550 had about 20 items on the BTO check and nearly as many after the flaps were up. Those Gulfstream lawyers just love covering their butts I guess.