I might ruffle some feathers with this question but I find the description bizarre.

Why do people refer to airliners as tubeliners? It can’t be to save typing as it’s one letter longer.

All pressurised aircraft are a type of tube but what makes tubeliner more descriptive than a word that has been in use for over 70 years?

As you say, Ray, all passenger aircraft are a type of tube but I guess its just something that has appeared in recent years to imply that such aircraft types are generic and boring. 

 

@martin-w, thanks for your reasoning. I don't disagree many modern aircraft are just like ticky tacky and all look just the same. If you remember the song.

Along that line...why call a hotdog a tube-steak?   Is that served on a tubeliner? 🤔

22 minutes ago, charliearon said:

Along that line...why call a hotdog a tube-steak?   Is that served on a tubeliner? 🤔

I've never heard that saying. Confined to the US?

15 minutes ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

I've never heard that saying. Confined to the US?

Yeah,  probably!

https://www.yourdictionary.com/tube-steak  I'm using the non body part meaning! 

16 minutes ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

I've never heard that saying. Confined to the US?

Let's hope it stays that way

Greetings Ray, I never really thought about it. Back in my military days, when I flew C-141Bs, they called it the tube. Many also referred to it as the "tube of pain" because it wore you out on long flights or during low levels. I assumed it came from mechanics since it carries pressurized air.  

Rick

 

5 minutes ago, charliearon said:

Yeah,  probably!

https://www.yourdictionary.com/tube-steak  I'm using the non body part meaning! 

Thank God it wasn't the first one! 🤣

4 minutes ago, G550flyer said:

Greetings Ray, I never really thought about it. Back in my military days, when I flew C-141Bs, they called it the tube. Many also referred to it as the "tube of pain" because it wore you out on long flights or during low levels. I assumed it came from mechanics since it carries pressurized air.  

Rick

Thanks Rick. It would be interesting to hear from non-US pilots if they have ever used that expression.

19 minutes ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

I've never heard that saying. Confined to the US?

I'm American and that name means something else.  I have never heard it associated with hotdogs or any other food. Strange one.

10 minutes ago, G550flyer said:

I'm American and that name means something else.  I have never heard it associated with hotdogs or any other food. Strange one.

I assume you're referring to tube-steak, not tubeliner.

Just now, Ray Proudfoot said:

I assume you're referring to tube-steak, not tubeliner.

Yes Sir, sorry about that.

Perhaps one of the few airliners that truly deserved to be referred to as a tubeliner was the Swearingen Metro. On my only two flights in this type, being 6ft 4ins tall, I was almost on all fours in the aisle making my way to my seat. Luckily I was a lot younger and more nimble in those days!

Bill

Dinner franks, maybe??