Ah yes, nostalgia for former CX aircraft types....
DC3, Convair, Tristar, Classic, 744.... yawn.
The -400 had its day during the times when engine technology was developing and fuel prices were generally low. But those times are gone. I look back at my 744 departures from LAX, struggling to get 170 000kg of fuel into the tanks. Now in a 777, I will leave ORD or JFK for HKG with 130 000kg fuel.
I did like flying the -400, and can still remember my last IGS flying the type. But it was very noisy, especially at low level. In addition, the air conditioning was not really robust enough. There are better aircraft around now.
The old girl has had her day. One has to question Management's strategy at not having replaced them. Please don't bore us with Corporate spin in the Friday telex about the cost of fuel, when we still have these gas guzzlers on the strength. Also, lets ensure that we keep ahead on the Maintenance of these old machines so that we can keep out of the press. I was on a bus the other day, and the driver noticed my CX uniform hat. He asked me if it was still safe to fly CX, given all the bad headlines about breakdowns, diversions and evacuations etc.