Well I'm back from my flights today. I really had a good time.
I want to thank QANTAS for 2 very enjoyable flights, but most specially QF443 today (SYD-MEL) where the crew (both cabin and tech) were very kind and indulged me.. specially the guys who very kindly gave me a few minutes of their busy time in the front office post landing in MEL. The two senior guys both are sad to see the 767 go and I definitely got the impression that they would prefer to stay with a Boeing type (personally - as pilots) though it seems transition to 380 second officers is the path (or retirement). One definitely mentioned how much he wanted the 787 in mainline service. I quipped maybe he needed to learn to like orange... he made no comment
It was also the FO's final flight on the type too.
Every member of inflight crew I spoke to would all miss the 767 as a great plane to work on and fly. I will give some extra credit for customer focused CSM who quipped that the Plats would miss the J cabin because the 73H's only have 12 seats to upgrade into!
That was an amusing moment (I couldn't disagree given I was upgraded out of a V class fare
).
Also of note/interest that OGT is "only" 16 and a bit years old and probably is not so high on cycles given most of its time has been in international service. I honestly thought many of them were older.
I'll add in some photos - the irony of having the "old new" Retro Roo parked at the gate next to the retiring roo in MEL, the lovely single J seats (very comfy for the sector
), the "mostly OK sparkling" to celebrate with on 443 and that front office we'll miss.
Thanks again QF for a good day. Sure, you flew me where I wanted on time, but it was the crews who made the difference and I think at least some of them appreciated the interest in the 767 going.
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