That old yoke on the 777 was a brainchild of our Captains (UAL) involved in the development of the plane. And it was less an engineering but a I-have-flown-with-a-yoke-for-the-last-30 years-and-I-won't-touch-a-joystick-ever-kinda thing. Doesn't matter what kind of 'feeling' it gives you!!! We have a bunch of Captains on the Airbus who came from the 777 and they all agree that this wonderful plane should have a stick!!