Which way to go-SWA or JetBlue

[jll]

320 vs 737

For those that think the Bus is unsafe,

http://www.airdisaster.com/statistics/

It is ranked number 6 of 20 airplanes. The 737 is 4th.

My $.02, I have a type in the 737 and now fly the 320. In an emergency situation, hands down, the Bus will take better care of you. Very easy to hand fly single engine. Most airplanes will kill you if you let them, most have. Understanding that basic principle will make you a better aviator regardless of the air frame.

 

[Muddauber]

I just don't like the design philosophy used by Airbus; but what really gripes my a$$ is that while thousands of US Boeing workers are on the street, some airlines are offering full employment to the French with Airbus purchases. You remember the French right- the country that is currently so staunchly our ally against Iraq. At least they are consistent, the French wouldn't let our F-111's overfly their country on the way from Upper Heyford to bomb Libya either.

 

[Slug]

French Resistance

I'm just figuring that the French are thinking that if a war does break out they might be overrun (again) by Iraq this time.

Subsequently they are sueing (sp?) for a peaceful solution.

 

[Race Pilot]

I just don't like the design philosophy used by Airbus; but what really gripes my a$$ is that while thousands of US Boeing workers are on the street, some airlines are offering full employment to the French with Airbus purchases. You remember the French right- the country that is currently so staunchly our ally against Iraq. At least they are consistent, the French wouldn't let our F-111's overfly their country on the way from Upper Heyford to bomb Libya either.

I knew someone would finally bring that subject up and I'm glad you did. First let me say that I have never owned a foreign car and probably never will. Thank goodness that good ole American car makers have good full size trucks and of course the love of my life, the Corvette Z06. I wonder how many folks out there that are dead set against Airbus because they are not a US company drive cars that are built by a foreign manufacturer? I know, there are many foreign cars built now in the US but they still have large support staffs that are wholly outside the US and many workers who are brought in from overseas as well.

Now about the bus, I am not an expert on the percentages but I understand that there is a great deal of the parts on those airplanes that are made in the US and then sent to France for installation on the airplane. Granted, the hull is made over there but a lot of the guts come from the good ole USA.

 

[canyonblue]

FOR SALE:

French Army Rifle

(Dropped only two times)

 

[hopeful]

race pilot-

what happened at ATA, wash out?

 

[kwijybo]

Just business baby...

If you don't like the Airbus design philosophy of the Airbus, that is fine, but if it is because of the makers are French, or, not American, is pretty funny. Why drive a BMW, Saab or Toyota when you can drive around in a Ford Escort, Geo etc. After flying the bus, I think a yoke is an anachronism.

Maybe Boeing needs a kick in the A to shake things up a bit. I would be stuck with a K car or some other piece of cr#p that rolled out of Detroit (is that French?) if I blindly bought American. If anything, the Germans, Japanese et al make it so Detroit has to continually improve. Its not Patriotism, it is business, plain and simple. A 'perceived' better product per dollar spent. With the deal Airbus offered JetBlue, what were they supposed to say- no?

As for history, I am far from a defender of the French, but I think they saved our bacon from the British back in the day of the revolution, so they weren't all bad. As for F-111's and overflight stuff, nobody has ever explained why the AF was required in the first place? With a carrier or two floating around the "Line of Death" for months, I know the Nav was more than capable of raining steel without the help of their AF brothers from far away England. The only reason I ever heard was there was a PR motive involved for the them to be there.

As for the companies, they both have big pluses and some minuses, but in the end, they are just about even, and MANY dudes, would stab you in the back to have a chance at one of them. You are lucky- it must be all that clean living.

To prove I am equal opportunity-
Somewhere God is smiling- I fly a French airplane, I land at an airport named Kennedy, and I have to travel to New York to start my trips. The trifecta of things I have tried to avoid my entire life.

Oh Yeah-
Why are the trees so tall along the Champs d' Elysee?

Shade for the German army.

 

[fredflyer]

I guess some guys thinks fly-by-wire is not for "real" pilots. They only fly conventional airplanes like the T-37, 737, G-IV F-16,.......... oh wait .........

 

[Muddauber]

Re: Just business baby...

If you don't like the Airbus design philosophy of the Airbus, that is fine, but if it is because of the makers are French, or, not American, is pretty funny. Why drive a BMW, Saab or Toyota when you can drive around in a Ford Escort, Geo etc...

I drive a Dodge truck.

As for history, I am far from a defender of the French, but I think they saved our bacon from the British back in the day of the revolution, so they weren't all bad. As for F-111's and overflight stuff, nobody has ever explained why the AF was required in the first place? With a carrier or two floating around the "Line of Death" for months, I know the Nav was more than capable of raining steel without the help of their AF brothers from far away England. The only reason I ever heard was there was a PR motive involved for the them to be there.

Frank Kelso used a whole lot of A-6's in Operation El Dorado Canyon. The Navy had about 30 airplanes in the operation, the Air Force over 50. It was a target rich environment for everybody.

To prove I am equal opportunity-
Somewhere God is smiling- I fly a French airplane, I land at an airport named Kennedy, and I have to travel to New York to start my trips. The trifecta of things I have tried to avoid my entire life.

Oh Yeah-
Why are the trees so tall along the Champs d' Elysee?

Shade for the German army.

Funny.

Muddy

 

[FL510GV]

This has been an interesting read on the SWA vs JetBlue decision...

I am dissappointed that a former AF pilot would make a statement like "Ron Brown's demographically selected unqualified crew." Did you know those guys? I did and they were neither. If you have been an AF pilot at any time in the time since the accident, you have been briefed on the accident and probably even read the report. Yes, the pilots were at fault, but so was the system and to a lesser degree the approach design itself. The AF is still paying the consequences for that tragedy.