777 v 744

[Flex]

I suppose this question is aimed at Peter due to his experience of both though anyone else with experience do care to add: Which aircraft did you prefer to operate in terms of getting the work day done? Which was the easier and more pleasant to operate in all aspects?

I ask because I've flown with a few guys who were previously on the 777  - which they preferred to the bus -and it got me wondering how the 777 compared to the B744, particularly from a std ops point of view. Unfortunately none of the guys had experience on both to share but did say the 777 was pretty automated yet still intuitive.
I've never flown a Boeing nor LH and I have my doubts i'd enjoy relinquishing my table and sidestick - does the yoke not just make life uncomfortable!? - personally I appreciate a lower workload and quieter more spacious FD. Call me lazy... but i prefer an easier day.

Regardless, the QOTS remains the most iconic of all but the concorde, for me anyways.

F

[Britjet]

Hi Felix,

There were a lot of things I liked about the 777..
Fly-by-wire was nice without taking over...but it flatters pilots.
Same with the full-flight regime autothrottle. I don't think I ever noticed the thrust settings on approach - it should have been in the "scan" but it was easy to be lazy..
Electronic checklist made things a lot simpler in Normal ops
Aircon was much better!
It was nice to be able to open a window in the flight deck - not because it was necessary but because you could!
Those engines are bloody impressive!

Not so nice..
Two engines...ETOPS always a 'faff".
The cabin crew hated it - various reasons...
Non-normal checklist operation got quite pedantic..it was like paddling in treacle..
No-one at dinner parties ever knew what a 777 was!

I've seen many pilots go from long haul (Boeing) to short haul (Airbus) and most go back again..
It's not the aircraft though, it's the lifestyle...

Peter

[IefCooreman]

I've seen many pilots go from long haul (Boeing) to short haul (Airbus) and most go back again..
It's not the aircraft though, it's the lifestyle...

744 is and will remain an old lady that requires some "work" and less comfort (except for the bunk). 777 is clean, easy, nice, relax... in every possible way. But the bunks suck.

I transitioned back on the 73 (classic...) recently and decided to keep my 777 current for a year (aviation in general is "hope for the best, prepare for the worst"). Getting back onto a 777 flightdeck was like stepping back into a little heaven. The calm, the freedom, the space, the "easiness",... a NNC on a 777 beats every 737 SOP there is because there is always room to finish breakfast....  and you step out with this philosophical  question: "why o why did I leave you?" (but I assume every pilot will give the same answer)

Short haul is "once you're in, you need to get out asap". Short crappy flights and once you land, they want you out already again. Long haul is hours of calm, and when you land the big question is your transport to the hotel...

[Hardy Heinlin]

Why o why did you leave her?

[IefCooreman]

The pilot's ego reality: on the right seat, there's this point in time you realise your ego wants the other seat...

The other part of the story... Some guys in purple costumes came, showed the money, bought the fleet and took my beloved 777 easy life right seat :-(. Could've been on the 744 or 787 now, but my ego was too big (and my resulting divorce too expensive :-)).

[DougSnow]

The other part of the story... Some guys in purple costumes came, showed the money, bought the fleet and took my beloved 777 easy life right seat

Sorry 'bout that..

I thought only US pilots suffered from AIDS -- Airline Induced Divorce Syndrome

[IefCooreman]

Doug no need for apologies. Our own country sold our routes to an Ethiopian carrier, The Dutch wanted to sell us to fix their own pension fund money problems, and Europe... grin... Anyway, I was already on my way out, in the end you make your own future, right? :-)

[isaaclevi]

Hi ,
With AIDS good definition ,I add ending up by being called by your own kids uncle once back home