From a Boeing to an Airbus - Pilot Point of View

[ruddman]

in the 320,the cabin is 60-70cm larger than the 737 and 40 cm larger than a 777.

Not what I meant. Don't no why, but the more automation on a vehicle, train, aircraft etc, the less safe I feel. Perhaps I trust imperfect man more then computers?


Anyway, the airbus is bloody noisey. Sounds like people are drilling into the fueslage from underneath when at the gate. The gear extension/retraction is noisey. Not sure if you can hear the trim operating, but something whined and screetched from the rear last time I flew on one.

Ah.....us fussy passengers eh!

[Tree]

QUOTE: Ag2A320 "Well Ladies & Gents,

The current Bus line:- A320/A321, A340-300 are a bunch of bloody optimised gliders!;no climb performance or extra power, Airbus forgot the power and went for fuel efficiency; forever stuck in the 320 bumping around in the tops at FL 390 while 737-700s are above in the clear at FL410 ARGhhh!."

You made it to 390 in a 320? What were you carrying, ping pong balls or did you have a tow-plane to get you up there?

[alexban]

dartagnan,indeed 'not exact numbers'.....I'm amazed you think the 320 is larger than a 777...
Exact numbers for cabin width are:
320 3.70m
737 3.53m
777 5.86m

So,a bit different from your 'not exact numbers',dah..

[dartagnan]

alexban,

I am talking about the cockpit(distance from pilot window to pilot window), not the passengers cabin.

[18-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by ruddman

I'm 6. As a pax I prefer the Boeing to Airbus.

Me too, as the only times I've had to get out of my seat as a passenger because I just couldn't stand the torture of being in them was when I was on an Airbus. I know the interior is purely the decision of the airline and shouldn't be aircraft specific, but that's all I have.
I was also on a new A320 a few months ago, and was sitting in an isle seat. Every time someone walked past me, I could feel the seat moving as the floor flexed around. Then on landing, the crew used a lot of brakes and reverse, and I honestly thought the overhead lockers were going to fall right off, as they were flapping around so much.

I'd much prefer to be in something that inspires confidence that it's not going to fall apart at the drop of a hat.

[pakeha-boy]

18 wheelies....a little dramatic arent we mate???... toughen up a little.....will admit the bus does shake a bit .....but thats a design feature to wake you up,and ready your carcass for departure....learned that at school,see...it,s there for a reason ....

Seen the boeings,even the 18 wheelies twist a little on landing.....flew the 727 for a couple of years..now thats real metal,no plastic...and a very sturdy and fine piece of boeing craftmenship...I rest my case...PB

[18-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by pakeha-boy

18 wheelies....a little dramatic arent we mate???... toughen up a little.....will admit the bus does shake a bit

I wasn't being dramatic at all, I described exactly what happened.

[hptaccv]

...anybody here made the transition bus to MD11?

[pakeha-boy]

18 wheelies....ever heard the term...."one mans light turbulence is another mans severe turbulence".......like I said mate...a little drama for sure...

life is good,because those of us that fly it have the ability to "adapt"....and really,it,s not that bad of an aircraft....Boeing or Airbus.....gimme a paycheck and Ill "try to fly "ethier .....Ilike,em both...PB

[what_goes_up]

Originally Posted by hptaccv

...anybody here made the transition bus to MD11?

Yep I did. It is like going back to Jurassic Park. Handling is poor but it has some nice system controllers.
Glad to be back on Airbus though!

W_G_U

[Ignition Override]

At some airlines there is no choice between a Boeing or an Airbus-depending on your desired crewbase and whether you are willing to spend many, many hours per month commuting, knowing that there is often NO guaranteed open seat on your back-up flight .

There is often the choice of a very old jet or a new Boeing (i.e. 757-2/3; more seniority is required with the need to now qualify for overseas routes), or a newer Airbus, but often just one, instead of both types. For example we have no 737s, but they seem to requir a good bit less training.

And with a larger number of days built in January's trip pairings,which leave you hanging around a US domestic layover hotel for 30 hours, commuting is becoming much less desireable. We have never yet been in a hotel where they film "Girls Gone Wild", and some are not yet 18 years old .