On 6/14/2016 8:46 AM, Jim Nichols wrote:
Thanks, Bob. But today's passengers want to cruise along at Mach .84 at 41,000 feet, and reach from coast to coast.
The "Class" is gone, the "cattle car" is here!
On 6/14/2016 10:23 AM, Bob Whitmire wrote:
Sweet. Love those old birds. With apologies to Bob Seger (appropriately
from Detroit): Today's airplanes ain't got the same soul.
You guys are kidding, right? When's the last time you rode in one?
I was excited and suitably impressed when approaching one for my first flight, about to turn age seven. Thundershowers
and unsettled weather from Raleigh to DC. That flight must have lasted 12 hours, at least that's how it felt to me, as I
wondered and hoped for simple, painless death, as I barfed my guts out for the whole trip.
Small, cramped, although no more so than some of today's commuter planes. And really noisy. I had that impression
reinforced about 15 years later, on a military version. By today's standards, ear protectors would certainly be required.
Then there's that aisle, with the semi stairs that are awkward in one way on the ground, then in the other in the air.
Like walking on a sawtooth wave. I remember trying to puzzle out a better solution - before we became airborne.
As far as I'm concerned, there never was any class.
And as to coast to coast in 5-6 hours @ 40,000' - OH YEAH! I guess my agreement with the spiritual idea that it's all
about the journey, not the destination doesn't apply to flying across the US. ;-) I can pull it out when a flight is
cancelled or seriously delayed, though. :-)
That DC-3 flight was just the start of a cross country trip, circa 1951. The next leg was much better for my stomach, a
three tail Constellation. All it did was porpoise slightly through the skies, not easy on my stomach, but so much better.
Next stop, Chicago; but wait, it's socked in with fog, so it's Akron overnight. Then a DC-4 (mini Moosie tummy heaven)
to LA, and heaven knows what to SF. I imagine the original plan was only three legs, with Chi to SFO getting in late
that first night. Elapsed time, two days. Highlight, the pilot lost altitude and banked each way over the Grand Canyon. :-)
A little like my '55 Chevy. I loved that car. If someone gave me one today, I'd sell it like a hot potato. Not up to the
standards I'm used to.
Comfort Able Creature Moose
--
What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
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