(If I have told this story earlier in the thread, I apologise)
Mention of the DC-10 reminds of a trip in Dec 88. I had a short break in The Gambia and the package included the LGW-BJL sectors. I had chosen that week as it meant I was flying back on Christmas Day, I knew the flight would be empty and traffic easy when home.
The DC10-30 was still in BCal colours and had been outbound night, back day. As we taxied out about 10:00, the Captain said that we should not be surprised by any pitch of the aircraft immediately after take off ... turned out I learnt from the CC, that the inbound crew had arranged to go directly to the beach. We did a a bit of a swoop so that the crews could wave at each other!!
Food was great, I had three Y seats to myself and everyone was in a great mood. I visited the front whilst over the Sahara and was able to tell them about my father flying over the desert in a Baufighter in 1942. Hazardous navigation in those days! A fabulous trip, about six hours, I think.