Adventures while flying: ORD edition. 

"average user" (avgusr) 11/13/2017 at 12:49 • Filed to: Planelopnik

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So I am flying from Houston to Denver. The first leg was IAH to ORD, a regular B737-8 and no pain. But this is what I am flying from ORD to DEN. I swear it is older than me (and I am 38) For those who don’t know it means a MD-80

For Sweden > average user 11/13/2017 at 12:55

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Looks luxury to me.

WilliamsSW > average user 11/13/2017 at 13:03

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It’s SUPER 80!

And they’re good airplanes - just loud in the back of the bus, is all.

facw > average user 11/13/2017 at 13:09

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I’m impressed you ended up flying from IAH (United hub) to ORD (United hub) to DEN (United hub) without flying on United.

In any event:

ttyymmnn > average user 11/13/2017 at 13:12

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That’s not just any old Mad Dog. That’s a Super 80. Though it was originally called the DC-9-80, they didn’t start making MD-80s until 1979, so it’s not older than you, though probably not by much. As long as you’re not sitting in the back row behind the engine, it’s just another well-maintained airliner. And I like sitting in a row with only two seats.

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > average user 11/13/2017 at 13:49

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Houston to Denver by way of Chicago?!

tromoly > facw 11/13/2017 at 13:56

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My thoughts as well, apparently ORD is an American hub upon some research. Though I’m curious why they weren’t routed IAH -> DFW (American Hub) -> DEN, much shorter route that still goes through a hub.

Textured Soy Protein > Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) 11/13/2017 at 14:04

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I’ve seen worse, like Milwaukee to Vegas by way of Atlanta.

Textured Soy Protein > average user 11/13/2017 at 14:06

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But...3x2 seating!!!!!!

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > Textured Soy Protein 11/13/2017 at 14:31

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Anything by way of Atlanta would be considered worse, for sure.

someassemblyrequired > average user 11/13/2017 at 14:41

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Faster than a 737 though.

Mercedes Streeter > Textured Soy Protein 11/13/2017 at 14:41

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“My preference is:”

Uh...cockpit?

Mercedes Streeter > ttyymmnn 11/13/2017 at 14:42

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As long as you’re not sitting in the back row behind the engine...

I don’t see an issue sitting next to a beautiful piece of machinery!

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > average user 11/13/2017 at 14:43

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I’ve only flown Delta MD-80s (MD-88s, actually) but I liked them better than comparable 737s or Airbuses. The Delta ones had more comfortable seats than the other jets. Whether that’s due to the 2-3 seating or because the aircraft were 10 years past their last interior upgrade, I’m not sure, but I enjoyed it. The ancient CRTs in the cockpit were cool too.

ttyymmnn > Mercedes Streeter 11/13/2017 at 14:54

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Air_Lines_Flight_1288

Mercedes Streeter > ttyymmnn 11/13/2017 at 15:02

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OOOooh I forgot about 1288. Erm, uh...maybe a few seats forward of the beautiful engine!

Now that I think about it, is the risk of uncontained failure the reason why many newer rear engine jets don’t place passengers basically directly next to the compressor fan?

ttyymmnn > Mercedes Streeter 11/13/2017 at 15:09

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On most jet engines, you will see a red stripe that designates the compressor turbine plane of rotation. Best not to stand next to that line, or sit next to it, for that matter. I think, after 1288, they installed steel plates to protect the cabin. But you’d have to ask f86sabre about that.

Mercedes Streeter > ttyymmnn 11/13/2017 at 15:19

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Whaaaaa? That’s something new to me. Do you have a picture example of this?

ttyymmnn > Mercedes Streeter 11/13/2017 at 15:32

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Mercedes Streeter > ttyymmnn 11/13/2017 at 15:38

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That’s what that marking is for! Thank you so much! I love learning new plane things. :)

ttyymmnn > Mercedes Streeter 11/13/2017 at 15:47

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:) Note the little “don’t stand here” symbol ahead of the line.

WilliamsSW > someassemblyrequired 11/13/2017 at 16:26

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Most jets are...

average user > tromoly 11/14/2017 at 08:07

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I flew on miles.

average user > average user 11/14/2017 at 08:08

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Also: candy bars are fun here. Really fun.