I got my A&P in '78, and my first job wrenching on the big jets was in '79 working on Mexicana 727s with the JATO option. After a year or so, I got on with UA, and shortly had to relocate to ORD, where I got taxi/runup qualified on all the fleet, but the 727 was my favorite. Commuting back to SFO, I would usually take a DC-10 flight home (prime rib sliced seat-side in F/C), but occasionally the -10 was full, so I would slide down the concourse and jump on a 727 ORD-OAK-SFO. The OAK-SFO leg was usually empty, so I could jump-seat for the Bay tour. Depart RWY 27, head down the Bay, then line up on 28 at SFO. Those guys were busy, but it was great to watch. Loved the 727, except for the tire changes. Big freaking tires.