A340 or 747 400
 

To any experience pilots out there. i have the opportunity to go on either the A340 or the 747 400. which should i choose? I think long term aviation future A340 but on the other hand to say i flew the 747 would be nice. any comments

It's the:

Fly by Wire control stick

VS

Good old 777/747 Control column

If the airline is big enough to operate both the 744 and A340, then i think that the real decision will be based on payscale, destinations, lines, lifestyle..............


Mutt.

i would hate to be in your shoes mate. but making a choice just because you can tell your neighbours that you fly a 744 is not the smartest way to choose . personally my name says it all for me.
hope you enjoy what ever choice you make. cheers

If u are noise sensitiv I strongly recommend the BUS.

regards

Is the choice at the same airline?

If so, I would go with along with what provides you with the routes / lifestyle / personal preference. Why? because if the airline gets rid of one type they will convert you in the future.

Is the choice at 2 different airlines?

Think longer and harder. Which airline is more likely to be around in 5-10 years? Which type rating is at the airline you believe to have a longer future? Probably go for that one, for the reasons above. If you think neither will be around, then go for the rating better saleable to your next employer.

imho .....

If it was me I'd go for the Boeing, as there's something about that big graceful bird that still captivates me. And by all accounts it's a nice, steady ship to handle too. But in the real world, a Bus rating means you can easily slide into the seat of an A318/19/20/21/30/80 if needs be, as opposed to having a 744 rating which gets you into an, er, 744....

Mutt said

"If the airline is big enough to operate both the 744 and A340, then i think that the real decision will be based on payscale, destinations, lines, lifestyle"

Truer words have never been spoken. A plane is a plane, its work no matter how you disect it. QOL should be your prime consideration when making this decision.

Mutt said - "If the airline is big enough to operate both the 744 and A340"........Well, if they do, the A380 is probably in their forward planning, and guess which group of pilots is most likely to be moved upwards.

I guess i you look at it, the 747's days are relatively numbered now.

So, MAYBE, being nostalgic, one should try for the 747.

Now, having said that, with type-commonality of Airbus products, it may be a WISE career move to go Airbus NOW!

Decisions, decisions...

Aw, give me a DC-3 :p

Hi, in the previous company that I worked for, being on the Airbus was definately better for commuting purposes. Enjoyed the 744, but should have chosen the 340 for the above reason. The 744 will be around for quite a while longer, maybe primarily in freighter guise, and as stated the bus rating will give you a wider range of choice due to ccq. Good luck and enjoy,
Rgds.

if i were you i'd go to the 340 w/o thinking.
but remember (in case you haven't flown the BUS before):
FORGET TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT....
FLY AIRBUS!
good luck :ok:

oops! forgot another thing: listen to your heart first! :cool: