411A,
Being an old 'airdog' as well, I think I can remember why, or maybe not.... Our old metal did not benefit from the latest wind tunnel derived super critical wonder aerofoils, capable of lift at impossibly low airspeed. We had to hurtle down the glideslope at relatively high speed just to make them work. High speed=high ROD= low attitude? My new 777 wonderjet flies the same speed at twice the weight, approaches at 1 degree nose up and stops in 2/3 the distance. Technology wins, every time.
Now, about the fuel price crisis, why is nobody talking about fusion reactor technology..........???