Article: Qantas pilots split on Boeing or 'bus

[NM]

Here is what we may expect to see gracing the skies after July 2009.

 

[JohnK]

According to this report, the announcement is due at 2:00pm.

OT but has anyone received virus warnings from the bloomberg site. I was also asked to download some program for "Adults only something or other" from cassini. Not very nice from a news site. :evil:

 

[Yada Yada]

OT but has anyone received virus warnings from the bloomberg site. I was also asked to download some program for "Adults only something or other" from cassini. Not very nice from a news site. :evil:

Nothing like that from Bloomberg. Did receive an email today purporting to be from the FBI saying I'd been logged as visiting 30 illegal websites! There was a virus attached (removed by our server) so I guess it was just spam. :?

 

[JohnK]

So the old QF 767s will be trundling around for a good while yet!

I guess Airbus can now take down their billboards across the road from the QF buildings on Qantas Drive.

The good old QF 767s will be around for a little while longer. Just try to avoid the routes they fly on.

I haven't seen the airbus ad on Qantas drive. Was this to do with the A380's or A340's and A350's? Regardless the order for 115 B787's is going to hurt Airbus slightly as I think more airlines will follow QF's lead. Who knows again only speculation.

Interesting also that QF opted for B787's only and have rejected the 777's.

 

[NM]

Interesting also that QF opted for B787's only and have rejected the 777's.

Not too surprising really. The 777 is a very expensive aircraft that does not offer much more than just greater seating/carriage capacity. The 787-9 will offer excellent range (up to 8,800 nm) and medium capacity (250+ pax). And the 787 is the next generation in efficiency due to new materials etc.

The only place the 777 would fit better than 787 is for thick routes (and QF will have 747's around for a long time yet) and the ultra long-haul routes. And they have determined that the ultra long-haul is still not economical even with 777 and A340 variants.

 

[Yada Yada]

I haven't seen the airbus ad on Qantas drive. Was this to do with the A380's or A340's and A350's?

Yes - there are 2 or 3 large billboards advertising the A340 and A350 on Qantas drive on the big bend right opposite the QF buildings behind the hangars.

I've always wondered about the value of billboards advertising aircraft. I enjoy looking at them because I am interested, but it's not like I am going to purchase one! :wink: I wonder how many QF staffers that see them every day would be part of the decision making process for aircraft purchases? Just seems odd to me.

[edited for spleling :wink: ]

 

[NM]

I've always wondered about the value of billboards advertising aircraft.

And they don't include a 1800 phone number for credit card sales, not a web-site for on-line ordering. What is the point in telleing me about a product they are not wanting to sell to me?

 

[Yada Yada]

Boeing wins big 787 order from Qantas
By Dominic Gates - Seattle Times aerospace reporter

Boeing landed the most anticipated large aircraft order of the year Tuesday evening, as Australian airline Qantas announced a firm order for 45 Boeing 787 jets, worth more than $8 billion at list prices and the expectation of a total of 100 eventually.

The deal includes 20 further options, and "purchase rights" on more if required later.

"We regard the firm (orders) and the options as basically a done deal," said Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon in a teleconference. "Given that we are committed to this particular aircraft .. we would expect to be taking up over a period of years round about 100."

The full article can be found here. And they even mention the billboards!

 

[NM]

The full article can be found here. And they even mention the billboards!

Its interesting that they quote the purchase as 45 firm plus 20 options plus some "purchase rights", while QF seem to be implying its 65 firm plus 50 options.

But Dixon is quoted as saying the 65 are certainly going to happen and he also says that it will go to the 100 mark. So I suppose we can debate the terminology of order vs optoin vs purchase right for a long time.

 

[Groundfeeder]

Interesting forum from PPrune Tech Log "Auto thrust on the A330"

Not a pilot and sorry can't even provide a thread linkage (too many/not enough grey hairs).

I recall the noisy accuation gear flights on the Ansett A320's (319's?) which I believe was the noisy flap/trim gear under the main floor grinding away to the consternation of most pax.

Even in domestic First Class (remember those days??) the take off thrust noise was very loud but bearable knowing what excellent inflight service you were going to get.

Lots of personal pref's for Boeing from pilots but most seem to prefer the stick rather than the wire.

 

[JohnK]

Yes - there are 2 or 3 large billboards advertising the A340 and A350 on Qantas drive on the big bend right opposite the QF buildings behind the hangars.

You'd hope they only took out short term ads and not gone for the longer/cheaper ad option. Look pretty silly after losing the contract.

I've always wondered about the value of billboards advertising aircraft.

My theory on billboards is that they are just there to stop you from going through the fence if you run off the road. Has anyone seen the number of billboards in Thailand? The scaffolding companies would be making a fortune. :wink:

I enjoy looking at them because I am interested, but it's not like I am going to purchase one! :wink:

How much does a billboard retail these days. I wouldn't have any room in the back yard, plus the neighbours may complain.

[edited for spleling :wink: ]

Spelling looks ok to me why would you want to edit it. :roll:

 

[Yada Yada]

I recall the noisy accuation gear flights on the Ansett A320's (319's?) which I believe was the noisy flap/trim gear under the main floor grinding away to the consternation of most pax.

I've noticed that the undercarriage on QF's old B767s makes a lot of noise too when you are sitting down the back.

How much does a billboard retail these days. I wouldn't have any room in the back yard, plus the neighbours may complain.

Heh heh... come to think of it, why not just paint it white, set up your home cinema projector, and invite the neighbours around to watch the sport in widescreen. :wink:

 

[Yada Yada]

Spelling looks ok to me why would you want to edit it. :roll:

OMG W3LL 1T WUZ ALL R0NG BUT I F1X3D 1T!!!11! WTF LOL :wink:

 

[NM]

OMG W3LL 1T WUZ ALL R0NG BUT I F1X3D 1T!!!11! WTF LOL :wink:

You been taking JohnK's cough? Or do you have some other performance enhancing substance to help with the speeling?

 

[Yada Yada]

OMG W3LL 1T WUZ ALL R0NG BUT I F1X3D 1T!!!11! WTF LOL :wink:

You been taking JohnK's cough? Or do you have some other performance enhancing substance to help with the speeling?

No, but I do frequent a few internet forums for drummers, and aside from extraordinarily bad language, there is also a lot of bad spelling and "leet speak". After reading for a while it begins to rub off!

 

[JohnK]

OMG W3LL 1T WUZ ALL R0NG BUT I F1X3D 1T!!!11! WTF LOL :wink:

You been taking JohnK's cough? Or do you have some other performance enhancing substance to help with the speeling?

I suppose I deserve being ridiculed again. :?

You 2 enjoying yourselves? I know I am not very popular with my posting style. Anytime you 2 feel down just have your fun at my expense. I really hope it makes you 2 feel better.

 

[russianrob]

Long Haul nonsense

They could have been flying loghaul out of Perth to London for ages, they just refuse to do it (Airbus 340-500 is it that Singapore flys to New York?). They could wipe Emirates and Singapore out of the Perth market if they did, and I'm sure a few of you east coasters wouldn't mind hubbing here either!

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Re: Long Haul nonsense

Airbus 340-500 is it that Singapore flys to New York?

Yes on the nonstop to EWR. SQ also has 747 to JFK but with a stop in FRA.

 

[QF WP]

OMG W3LL 1T WUZ ALL R0NG BUT I F1X3D 1T!!!11! WTF LOL :wink:

You been taking JohnK's cough? Or do you have some other performance enhancing substance to help with the speeling?

I suppose I deserve being ridiculed again. :?

You 2 enjoying yourselves? I know I am not very popular with my posting style. Anytime you 2 feel down just have your fun at my expense. I really hope it makes you 2 feel better.

JohnK, if you give it (and you'll have to admit you do dole it out), then you have to expect to get it (and accept it from others as they accept it from you). Being able to laugh at one's own foibles is important in life, IMHO.

I decided a long time ago that I don't care what people (who haven't met me), think of me. It just words (sticks and stones...). But once people know me, then they can make an informed decision.

After having the pleasure of meeting a lot of people from FT (most of whom also post here) like NM, Dave Noble, IainF, AnderB, Press Photog, bravoecho1, Willyroo, Craigo, Alan in CBR, Kiwi Flyer, og, thadocta, ozstamps, etc, I'd consider them friends now.

Then again, I find it better to poke fun at myself before anybody else can, then there's nothing left for anybody else to have a go at. If they're only agreeing with what one is writing, then it doesn't sting as much...

 

[Yada Yada]

You 2 enjoying yourselves? I know I am not very popular with my posting style. Anytime you 2 feel down just have your fun at my expense. I really hope it makes you 2 feel better.

I wasn't having a go at you JohnK - just poking fun at myself for spelling (spleling) badly and then for being cough enough to have to correct myself. My wife thinks I have a mild case of OCD. I just call it "a touch of the Seinfelds".