A320 Parted out after 17 years of service???

[ATRedneck]

I bet you wouldn't say, "F... the Embraer" would you?

Master Shake might not say that, but I sure would.

The 145 series will be lucky if it gets anywhere near 17 years. The oldest ones are not even half of that yet, and they're getting pretty junky.

When I was on the mighty ATR, the average was about 10 years old, and they were in better shape than a 5-year Embraer.

Say what you want about the Frogs, but they make a pretty good airplane compared to the "Mexican Citation."

 

[USMC319]

As an America West Airbus pilot, and also having flown Boeing & Douglas planes, I think I can reliably speak up on this.

The oldest of AWA's Airbus planes are going away; they're being replaced as new ones arrive. The planes all have IAE engines, but the old ones are -A1 powered. The newer ones are all -A5 powered and have much better performance, especially on hot days in Phoenix. As much as I appreciate the high technology in the Airbus (and find it enjoyable to fly) I think that they have chronic maintenance problems sooner than Boeing or Douglas planes have. You can easily tell the age of the plane just by looking at the panel and the maintenance logbook. New, they're both clean. Old, they're both cracked with patches and MEL stickers on them. I think it's a shame, but it seems to me that the Airbus does have some problems lasting as long as other planes. Do they still fly? Yes. Do they do so reliably? Yes, for the most part. Are they cheaper to buy than Boeings? (a-ha!). Yes.

This absolutely isn't designed to be a Boeing vs. Airbus vs. Douglas thread. I've flown them all, and enjoyed them all. The Douglas was stone simple, overbuilt, and will probably last until I'm well into retirement. The Airbus is a great example of high technology - an engineers plane, built as inexpensively as possible (good for the airlines). The Boeing is somewhere in-between; well engineered with the pilots first in mind, but sturdy enough to take a lot of abuse. They're all good. They're all different.

HAL

Hal,

Its refreshing to finally have someone post a fair analysis of the different airframes rather than revert to a childish "Ford vs Chevy" debate in which most posters have no clue. I too have flown extensively in Douglas, Boeing and Airbus equipment and have found that they all have their pros and cons. Anyone that characterizes any of these aircraft as a "piece of shi!", simply has no experience in the equipment and probably has no appreciation, or at least no passion for aviation in general.

In my youth I prefered the Douglas for its ruggedness and ability to complete the mission under less than optimal conditions. Most of my flying experience is in the Boeing, which proved to be a very reliable and pilot friendly airframe. The Airbus however, is by far the most advanced and easiest to fly for an old boy like me, which makes it the best "retirement" airplane. The creature comforts and amenities are hard to beat.

 

[Geronimo4497]

The crew who flew this Airbus 320 to the scrapping yard was picked up and taken home in a Boeing!

Negative, they were picked up in a Douglas! (DC-3 to be exact)

 

[oldskoolbronco2]

Robot chicken is sweet, how can you not like "Pimp my Sister!"

 

[pilotyip]

And the DC-3 will haul the scrap when they start parting out the 787 and A-380.

 

[Spooky 1]

Creature comforts on a B737...WTF?

Hal,

Its refreshing to finally have someone post a fair analysis of the different airframes rather than revert to a childish "Ford vs Chevy" debate in which most posters have no clue. I too have flown extensively in Douglas, Boeing and Airbus equipment and have found that they all have their pros and cons. Anyone that characterizes any of these aircraft as a "piece of shi!", simply has no experience in the equipment and probably has no appreciation, or at least no passion for aviation in general.

In my youth I prefered the Douglas for its ruggedness and ability to complete the mission under less than optimal conditions. Most of my flying experience is in the Boeing, which proved to be a very reliable and pilot friendly airframe. The Airbus however, is by far the most advanced and easiest to fly for an old boy like me, which makes it the best "retirement" airplane. The creature comforts and amenities are hard to beat.

Could you expand a little on the "creature comforts" in a B737. One of the sorriest cockpits in a modern airliner!

 

[USMC319]

Could you expand a little on the "creature comforts" in a B737. One of the sorriest cockpits in a modern airliner!

I didn't say anything about "ceature comforts" in a B-737, namely because there aren't any. Go back and review my post. I said the Boeing was a reliable, pilot friendly airplane. I was refering to the Airbus for creature comforts. Anyone who has spent any time in one will surely agree.

 

[AA717driver]

Everyone is confusing the French government with the French people. They have as little direct control over the actions of their government as we do over ours. Everyone happy with everything OUR government does?

Now, having made that distinction, I will say that the French, like many other nationalities, have a vastly different mindset than we do. They are just more vocal about it than others. Just like New Yorkers are different than Texans or Oregonians (?), the French are different than others.

Part of the problem is many in France believe theirs is the superior culture in the world and the rest of us are cretins for not adopting their way of life. I don't let it bother me.

But their government does suck. TC

 

[Ralph Cramden]

I was refering to the Airbus for creature comforts. Anyone who has spent any time in one will surely agree.

Agreed.

Haven't flown the 737, but I can tell you it's jumpseat was designed for FAA inspectors and other people that deserve to be punished.

I love the bus. Well, all but the friggin FMS. That is proof enough that the French view of "superior culture" is just plain wrong.

As for it being a no deposit, no return disposable plane: Maybe so. I will say that flying the DC 3 and F 27 felt like being the commander of an iceberg breaker. OTOH in the bus I don't have to slug it out as much. I will admit that flying around lightning in an electric fly by wire bird is disconcerting at times.

 

[Saabslime]

The creature comforts and amenities are hard to beat.

Sure makes those 5-6 hour legs bearable.........

 

[100LL... Again!]

Boeing might be the home team at the clock-puncher level, but upper management is fairly globalist- better that airbus, but not by much.

 

[typhoonpilot]

[QUOTThe Airbus however, is by far the most advanced and easiest to fly for an old boy like me, which makes it the best "retirement" airplane. The creature comforts and amenities are hard to beat.E][/QUOTE]

Obviously you have never flown the 777 .


TP

 

[lurker]

Part of the problem is many in France believe theirs is the superior culture in the world and the rest of us are cretins for not adopting their way of life.

I would disagree with you there. I don't think it's so much a case of the French believing their culture is superior, it's simply a matter of preserving their heritage and language. I don't have too big a problem with this actually. In the US, you could be anywhere, and not really know where you are. the same 30 chains are everywhere. McDonalds, Holiday Inn, Texaco, Wal Mart, Starbucks, Denny's....you name it. The same thing is happening on a global level. I actually respect the French for trying to stop the homoginization of their culture. It's nice to go there and be able to shop in mom & pop stores, and quaint cafes. It's an aspect that is missing from our culture.

I don't really see the French as on a mission to try to make us eat more cheese & wine.

 

[TWA Dude]

I fly an Airbus and I miss flying. (They are comfortable, though.) I gotta rent a 172 just to remind myself what an airplane is supposed to feel like.

 

[IHaveAPension]

Well my Captain, allow me to correct your misconception. In my pre-piloting days I was in charge of spare parts logistics for a large cargo airline. I know just a thing or two about maintenance reliability & costs.

Also, I happen to be one of those guys who likes to root for the home team. Thank you for your kind attempt at an insult.

Don't mind her, she's just pissed that she can't get on with UPS even though she's had her app in there for YEARS and that other females and minorities have been hired there with much less TIME than she has! She's obviously one of those that thinks ones right to speak on an aviation topic is subject to the total time in your logbook.

 

[IHaveAPension]

Sure I admire patriotism too, but I see you don't don't fly either of them. Regardless if someone has told you their opinion, unless you yourself has had experience on a particular piece of equipment I believe you really don't have the right to make such a statement. I bet you wouldn't say, "F... the Embraer" would you?

Good day.

I've never flown an Embraer, but I'll be the first to say "F... the Embraer" also "F... any RJ" while I'm at it.

 

[GogglesPisano]

I love "flying" the bus. My only complaint is that the FMS does suck.

And I wish the soap dispensers in the loos actually dispensed soap. (OK that's 2 complaints.)

 

[USMC319]

[QUOTT

Obviously you have never flown the 777 .


TP

That would be only "obvious" to the simplest of minds.

 

[zonker]

I've never flown an Embraer, but I'll be the first to say "F... the Embraer" also "F... any RJ" while I'm at it.

If you've ever flown anything bigger than your joystick, It'd shock the hell out of me.

Why don't you add another K onto your total time. Perhaps it will become more believable.

Idiot Troll.

 

[Capt1124]

Pilots who have flown both seem to prefer Boeing to Douglas, and everybody seems to agree Airbus makes a cheaply constructed plane.

But that wider fuselage- that's nice. I was getting on an A319 once and thought it was a 767 for a moment. I was able to get a ride on USAir Airbuses a couple times with row to myself, and with the armrests up it was almost like being home in my own bed- or it felt like it after flying all night.

But as long as they're giving the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** things away, who cares if they're junk?

 

[mystere]

Wow....with 1500 hours, you must have a lot of time in both, so you must be speaking from experience.

you must know it all, so why bother surfing this board?

 

[GFunk20]

Hey now, easy on the Embraer bashing!

 

[pianoman]

Sure I admire patriotism too, but I see you don't don't fly either of them. Regardless if someone has told you their opinion, unless you yourself has had experience on a particular piece of equipment I believe you really don't have the right to make such a statement. I bet you wouldn't say, "F... the Embraer" would you?

Good day.

He might have a more in-depth knowledge of the build quality, life expectancy, repair costs, and general reliability than the average pilot.

GO EMBRAER! I'd fly the WSOD my whole career if it paid 777 rates.

 

[91100 100 set]

I second that...

I'll third that. I miss space Ghost though. Especially the one with Moltar and Zorack hanging around drinking beer and smoking. That episode cracked me up.