The sexiest plane in the fleet
And the one to avoid, according to some
For my first training flight I worked on what's known as the Barbie plane. It's easy to imagine a kid holding the Boeing 717, soaring through the sky and hitting lots of turbulence along the way. I've also heard it described as a tin can, or even ghetto by some. It's always a bumpy, loud ride on this old gal.
There's a tiny galley in the front, or what my great-grandmother would've called a 'one-butt kitchen.' During my training flight there were six of us rotating around each other, trying to stay out of the way of the person stocking the cart. There's nowhere to stand in the back because consists of a bathroom on either side of the jump seat. And the freaky thing is the jumpseat is attached to the tailcone exit, which leads out the back of the plane and jettisons the butt of the plane if certain triggers are pulled.
Side note- if you mention the tailcone to anyone who I went to training with, you'll see fear flash before their eyes and a shudder at the memories this plane evokes. Our instructors sent multiple people home from my training class during evacuation drills because the verbiage for arming and disarming the door as well as the wacky configuration can really throw you off. Boeings in general aren't as much of a favorite because their doors and design often don’t make sense.
Though once you’re on the line as they say, it's a plane loved by senior mamas and papas. The service component involves an express offering, which consists of passing out mini bottles of water, coffee and some snacks. This way, you avoid the extra work of waiting for a diet coke to fizzle down and going through the list of all the drinks and snacks we offer. It's quick and easy, and the rest of the time you get to spend listening to more seasoned crew members complaining about the plane.
For my last rotation I flew the janky little 717 for a few legs, and then I flew a plane that may eventually replace it entirely- the Airbus 220-300, known in industry speak as the A223.
What a dream! As someone on my crew described it, it's basically the 717 but a newer and smarter version (and not a Boeing). The main galley sits in the back along with two bathrooms. And drumroll please… one of the bathrooms has a window! This is exciting stuff for people who spend their days in the air. It's the only bathroom I've ever taken a selfie in.
It was introduced to several airlines fleets in the past few years, it seats 130 people, and it's oh so sexy. No rattling tin can or engines that can cause hearing damage. Just a sleek design and a spacious galley. And according to Airbus, it "delivers 25% lower fuel burn per seat" than the generation of aircraft before it. But for some reason it's a much bumpier ride in the back than most other planes.
There's such a difference in turbulence between the front and the back that my crew member and me were wondering how the pilots could be so clueless as to not warn us about the rough air before starting service. But in talking to them after the flight, it's hard to tell how bad the turbulence is in the back when it's smooth sailing in the front.
The jump seat I occupied faces forward down the aisle, and I could see our other crew member serving drinks in first class while we were getting tossed around in our jumpseats.
Maybe this newer Airbus will eventually take over the skies from the 717, and everyone but the senior mamas and papas will rejoice.
Until then, I’ll enjoy the variation.
Sure, a plane is a plane. But I like that my office along with the type of people I work with change every time I show up to the gate, wondering where I'll go next.
Heard on the runway
Second hand news from unverified sources
Delta will open 5 new satellite bases next year, including Dallas Ft. Worth (DFW), Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), Tampa (TPA), and Raleigh Durham (RDU).
Word is they’re going to test them out and see what the demand is.
I’m learning so much. I’ll keep an eye out for the 717!