Hey everyone, I am going on a real NG flight tomorrow morning. 11am departure...Airtran flight 777 ATL-LAS. 737-700ng. What question should I ask the captains? Should I mention the NGX? :rolleyes:Also, I'll get some pictures of the Cockpit and post them here.Best Regards,

Ask them where they keep their pogo-stick. I hear every 737 comes with one.

Ask them why they do their half powered takeoffs on a regular basis and tell them that us Air Traffic Controllers hate trying squeeze plays with TRS B737 lol

Ask them why they do their half powered takeoffs on a regular basis and tell them that us Air Traffic Controllers hate trying squeeze plays with TRS B737 lol

"Half powered takeoffs" are very normal. They derate the thrust for the longevity sake of the engines. They also might do it for noise abatement procedures. I don't ever recall have been on a flight that had a "full-thrust" departure.--Just un-economical and wasteful for maintenance.

"Half powered takeoffs" are very normal. They derate the thrust for the longevity sake of the engines. They also might do it for noise abatement procedures. I don't ever recall have been on a flight that had a "full-thrust" departure.--Just un-economical and wasteful for maintenance.

The airport I work at has quite a few B737's that fly in and out of them. The AirTran half powered takeoff is the worst I have seen. We have a 12,000ft runway and these B737's don't lift off until easily 9000 ft down the runway.Compared with Southwest, who is off at or before 6000ft, it's easy to see what I mean by half powered takeoff.American does a similar takeoff to AirTran, but not as bad.I'm very aware as to why these carriers do what they do. It was meant as a joke...

The airport I work at has quite a few B737's that fly in and out of them. The AirTran half powered takeoff is the worst I have seen. We have a 12,000ft runway and these B737's don't lift off until easily 9000 ft down the runway.Compared with Southwest, who is off at or before 6000ft, it's easy to see what I mean by half powered takeoff.American does a similar takeoff to AirTran, but not as bad.I'm very aware as to why these carriers do what they do. It was meant as a joke...

IIRC, It's against SWA company policy to use "Derated" thrust on departure. SWA will use assumed temps all day, but they usually end up with more thrust than they would if they derated the thrust. It's also SWA policy to always use flaps 5 for departure, unless flaps 15 is called for. (HGW out of SNA, BUR or MDW).

IIRC, It's against SWA company policy to use "Derated" thrust on departure. SWA will use assumed temps all day, but they usually end up with more thrust than they would if they derated the thrust. It's also SWA policy to always use flaps 5 for departure, unless flaps 15 is called for. (HGW out of SNA, BUR or MDW).

SWA likes to use flaps 1 out of ABQ. SWA pilots say that flaps 5 is the safest t/o flaps setting, but in many cases flaps 1 is the most economical. Therefore, in airports like ABQ, with a 14,000 ft runway, flaps 1 is usually the better flap setting. Of course, safety is never compromised for a more economical flap setting.

"Half powered takeoffs" are very normal. They derate the thrust for the longevity sake of the engines. They also might do it for noise abatement procedures. I don't ever recall have been on a flight that had a "full-thrust" departure.--Just un-economical and wasteful for maintenance.

You don't understand, what Brian is saying is not an exaggeration....AirTran is the absolute worst (short of American MD-80's). At LAS, we have a 14,000 ft runway and AirTran will start rotating at about 11,000 ft down and be airborne (barely clearing the fence at Las Vegas Blvd) at about 12,000 ft. There's derate....and then in AirTran's case, there's ridiculous derate...lol.

You don't understand, what Brian is saying is not an exaggeration....AirTran is the absolute worst (short of American MD-80's). At LAS, we have a 14,000 ft runway and AirTran will start rotating at about 11,000 ft down and be airborne (barely clearing the fence at Las Vegas Blvd) at about 12,000 ft. There's derate....and then in AirTran's case, there's ridiculous derate...lol.

Glad to know it's not just here at RSW. I'm surprised they get away with it at a busy airport like Vegas.

I have a basic question but simulators rarely get close to the reality.Which is the average V/S while climbing ( fuel average, wind average etc.. ) and while descending ? BTW thanks for sharing pictures :)

IIRC, It's against SWA company policy to use "Derated" thrust on departure. SWA will use assumed temps all day, but they usually end up with more thrust than they would if they derated the thrust. It's also SWA policy to always use flaps 5 for departure, unless flaps 15 is called for. (HGW out of SNA, BUR or MDW).

It's going to be interesting when AirTran and Southwest finish up the merger...you've got one culture that has a motto of "go, go, go, get there faster" and another who takes their sweet time :) It will be an interesting experience.

You don't understand, what Brian is saying is not an exaggeration....AirTran is the absolute worst (short of American MD-80's). At LAS, we have a 14,000 ft runway and AirTran will start rotating at about 11,000 ft down and be airborne (barely clearing the fence at Las Vegas Blvd) at about 12,000 ft. There's derate....and then in AirTran's case, there's ridiculous derate...lol.

With all due respect I cant see that happening. We fly in there with 800's, with full passenger load, and about 4.5-5.5 hrs of fuel. We will use the double derate (atmospheric conditions permitting) and I have never come close to 11000 feet. JackColwill

With all due respect I cant see that happening. We fly in there with 800's, with full passenger load, and about 4.5-5.5 hrs of fuel. We will use the double derate (atmospheric conditions permitting) and I have never come close to 11000 feet. JackColwill

Just because your company doesn't do something doesn't mean others don't. I make a living sitting in a control tower. I see TRS B737's on a daily basis and I know how they operate...800 series, American?

Just because your company doesn't do something doesn't mean others don't. I make a living sitting in a control tower. I see TRS B737's on a daily basis and I know how they operate...800 series, American?

I think he is with WestJet.

Just because your company doesn't do something doesn't mean others don't. I make a living sitting in a control tower. I see TRS B737's on a daily basis and I know how they operate...800 series, American?

Hey Brian. What I mean is if we are given numbers that let us use the minimum required thrust for take off then I can't see someone else beng able to go lower. But there are other circumstances I might not being taken into account. Like you said, you see them do it. I just know i wouldn't want to be using 11000 feet of runway in a 737. I have seen many a plane use up a lot of runway (more like on an 8000 foot runway though) and its always teeth clenching, isn't it? Hey Rhen. Not that I have anything to hide but in the future please let the individual themself reveal who they work for. I have given hints to some people on here before but there are some who wish to keep that identity to themselves. JackColwill