Hi,
I travelled on an MD-80 (super 80) from DFW to Calgary on American Airlines. I had just finished a 9 1/2 hour flight from LGW to DFW on a 777 and wasnt looking forward to the prospect of flying in a cramped plane. It was indeed cramped but a fantastic flight. First of all we pushed back from the gate using just our reversers (terrific noise) and then just turned round and taxiied to runway 35R (i think). We departed and climbed rapidly to our cruising height just as the sun was setting. We landed at calgary with a smooth touch down and taxied to our stand.
Calgary - Chicago
On my return to the UK we travelled to LHR via Chicago and did the CAL - ORD route also in a "super 80". Unfortunatly it didn't give us a chance to experience a loud push and we experienced just a standard tug pushback but we did see some beutiful sights on our departure. The snow glistened in the early morning sun and we could see the rockies perfectly. However the thing i will never forget is the bumpy landing made by our pilots. We were on short finals and obiously not online as you could see the approach lights beneath us and as we flew over the threshold our pilot made a late correction causing our starboard wing to almost hit the ground we then bounced and landed on the rear two wheels and then our nose wheel was hit on the runway with considerable force! We left airplane wary of the pilot and ran to catch our connecting flight luckily in a 777. We arrived at Heathrows 27L safely, flying over all the London sights. I will never florget my flights and i hope i get to fly on a DC9 again someday.
Thanks Dave
