Southwest Airlines Grounds Planes

[Red Arrow]

I always hate it when pieces of the plane leave while in flight.  I'm thinking they are there for a reason, and if that reason was good enough for Boeing, it works for me, too.

I was told several extra pieces were designed in for just such an instance.

[Hoss]

All that stuff is fun.....unless you are too close to the ground.

Hearing the stall horn is way cool if you're on the flare.  Means you've got your timing and speed down properly if you're about to grease the landing.  Always loved hearing that weak horn sound just as I got my little jolt when the mains touched.

[Hoss]

I was told several extra pieces were designed in for just such an instance.

I always like sitting over the wing.  Not only do you get the best seats on the plane as far as leg room goes (SW, anyway), I always loved watching those wings flex and seeing the reaction of the non-aviation inclined when they saw it.

[sauerkraut]

Back in 1988 a huge chunk of a 737 roof came off in flight, it's funny that only the 737's seem to have problems with the roof panels. Must be the way it's designed.

[Townsend]

Back in 1988 a huge chunk of a 737 roof came off in flight, it's funny that only the 737's seem to have problems with the roof panels. Must be the way it's designed.

There you are.  I was wondering about you.

[dbacks fan]

There you are.  I was wondering about you.

Five months of hibernation wasn't long enough.

[Hoss]

Five months of hibernation wasn't long enough.

Nope, the meds didn't work...nor the therapy.

[Red Arrow]

it's funny that only the 737's seem to have problems with the roof panels. Must be the way it's designed.

Nice though that "we" don't lose a plane and a bunch of passengers when it happens.  It must be Boeing's experience building bombers during WWII.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Flew Delta last week.  Still would rather fly Southwest, even with parts falling off.

Sounds like there is a difference between early and late 737.  Apparently none of the late models have the problem while a few of the early ones have.

[Conan71]

Flew Delta last week.  Still would rather fly Southwest, even with parts falling off.

Sounds like there is a difference between early and late 737.  Apparently none of the late models have the problem while a few of the early ones have.

We still don't know if it's a design flaw or simply airframe stress from so many operations.  With each of SW's planes getting around 8 takeoffs and landings a day, that's a lot more stress than planes on long-haul flights.

[Hoss]

We still don't know if it's a design flaw or simply airframe stress from so many operations.  With each of SW's planes getting around 8 takeoffs and landings a day, that's a lot more stress than planes on long-haul flights.

Think it's time to start thinking about taking the 300s and 400s out of service.  I know they have some newer 800s and 900s.  It used to be you could tell from a distance by checking to see if they had winglets (the little upturn tips).  But now many carriers are retrofitting the 300s and 400s with those because it is supposed to increase range by a little.

[Conan71]

I think they still had some 100's and 200's in the fleet up to about 1995 at least, if not later.  Every now and then you will see one of those being operated by a podunk regional or freighter op with the dinky engines.  Were those JT-8's?

[dbacks fan]

I think they still had some 100's and 200's in the fleet up to about 1995 at least, if not later.  Every now and then you will see one of those being operated by a podunk regional or freighter op with the dinky engines.  Were those JT-8's?

Yes, with the clamshell reversers on them. I always joked on landing that if one of the reversers didn't open the plane would make the hardest turn on record.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Nothing inherently wrong with an old plane if the design is good.  See how many B-52s still around.  And L1011. 
There are fewer reinforcing straps of some sort on the older ones.  If those could be retrofitted, the life might be extended a lot.

[Breadburner]

Nice though that "we" don't lose a plane and a bunch of passengers when it happens.  It must be Boeing's experience building bombers during WWII.

Nope the stewardes's get sucked out.....