Birdwatching From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 3586 posts, RR: 52 Posted (8 years 5 months 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 7488 times:
I just read the thread about why you always board an airplane through the left side, and now out of nostalgia I'm starting a thread about the unforgettable experience of boarding a 727 through the back (tail) stairs. My first time I was really young (like 7 or 8) and I was really afraid of entering the plane that way, because of the giant engine above and all the exhaust vents from the APU etc. Back when I lived in Ecuador, I flew on 727 a lot, and you could always walk from the terminal to whichever entrance you wanted, so I always entered through the tail.
Lindy field From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 3073 posts, RR: 15 Reply 1, posted (8 years 5 months 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 7303 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW HEAD DATABASE EDITOR
The rear stairs could also be used by the crew to see if the aircraft was in working order...
Ilsapproach From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 410 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (8 years 5 months 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 7290 times:
Planed and de-planed from a T9 722 at MBJ two years ago!
Pr1268 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 232 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (8 years 5 months 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 7192 times:
slightly off topic: I did the same on several occasions in a DC9 (well, actually, a USAF C-9 and a Navy C-9). The military prefers using the rear stairs since they don't have to bother rolling a boarding staircase to the side of the a/c or use an elevated terminal with jetways (not too common on military airfields).
The only time an aircraft has too much fuel is when it is on fire.
Piedmontbrat From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (8 years 5 months 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 7162 times:
Strange you should start this thread. I was thinking about my first plane ride back in 1967. Was an old Piedmont Martin 4-0-4 from Roanoke to Charlottesville via Hot Springs and then Shenandoah Valley airports. On the return from CHO, I flew one of Piedmonts first two 72's. Talk about going from horse and buggy to a Porsche...WHEW!
Miss Piedmont's old speedbird. My guess is there are a lot of folks around that would like to see that speedbird fly again. Ah well.......
RayChuang From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 7709 posts, RR: 5 Reply 5, posted (8 years 5 months 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 7123 times:
I do remember getting on board a JL 727-200 at HND in 1970 on a flight from HND to the old Osaka airport at Itami using this rear stairway. Alas, it was raining at HND that day and I was soaked before I got on the plane!
SATL382G From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (8 years 5 months 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 7110 times:
The USAF C-9s (not sure about Navys C-9Bs) had a airstair at the forward door as well. Generally the forward door was used for patients, aircrew, and the medical staff. Regular pax got pushed out the back...
Oh and they had the medevac ramps at the forward cargo door as well. Used for litter patients.
CougarAviator From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 349 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (8 years 5 months 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 7012 times:
In college, the University of Houston basketball team participated in the NCAA tournament at the Memphis site.
UH used a charted Continental 727 to go up there.
We de-planned through the rear stairwell onto some charter buses that were waiting for us.
COAMiG29 From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 515 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (8 years 5 months 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 6978 times:
I got to board a CO 757 767 737 and 727 through the tail and each time it was great. things like this are becomming more rare. so i considder myself fortunate
If Continental had a hub at DFW with nonstop flights I would always fly them, unfortunantely good things take time.
Deltaffindfw From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1386 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (8 years 5 months 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 6951 times:
It wasn't that long ago that DL used the 727 on the shuttle. I exited from the tail at LGA many times.
INTENSS From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 317 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (8 years 5 months 5 days ago) and read 6859 times:
Like Deltaffindfw already stated, Delta Shuttle (I'm sure PA Shuttle prior) de-planed their 727's from the rear stairwell. We did the same with the Yankees and Mets charters when they came through LGA. Their busses would be waiting while the players waited for us to unload their bags. Best job ever!
M404 From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 2214 posts, RR: 5 Reply 13, posted (8 years 5 months 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 6812 times:
And of course boarding from the rear of my namesake, the Martin 404, then the Caravelle, the DC9, and last the 727. Carriers were Pacific, Air France, Iberia, Bonanza, AirWest, Hughes Airwest, Alaska, PSA, Royal Air Nepal, Republic, Aerolineas Argentinas, Varig, East African, Hawaiian, Pan Am, Frontier, TWA, National, Eastern, Northwest.
Best story was deplaning on the first one. The M404. I was a brand new agent meeting a super nice flight attendant (I still remember her name) and wasting time onboard with her (his term) when my boss yelled from below to get my (butt) outside and I fell down that airstair and broke my leg. When I came back from the hospital all plastered up he gave me a stool, a pen and said I was now a ticket agent. I had no where to run.
Less sarcasm and more thought equal better understanding
Laxintl From United States of America, joined May 2000, 22219 posts, RR: 51 Reply 14, posted (8 years 5 months 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 6787 times:
Just watch out for the constant oil dripping from the No 2 engine!
From the desert to the sea, to all of Southern California
AeroWeanie From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 1601 posts, RR: 52 Reply 16, posted (8 years 5 months 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 6746 times:
In a skydiving club loft I once saw a picture of skydivers deplaning a 727 through the aft door, at considerable altitude. They must have deactivated the D.B. Cooper device (a little vane that prevents the rear door from opening when airborne).
Ual777contrail From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 19, posted (8 years 5 months 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 6718 times:
The 727 was the greatest airplane to work and fly on. We (UAL) have worked many diversions with the 727, and the rear stairs made that plane a dream for deplaning.
I remember once, a premiers made it to the gate a little late, she was held up by a security problem. After talking with the crew, the ramp pushed the plane back, gave her a head set to block the noise, walked her out onto the ramp, dropped the stairs, and let her board that way. She was very thankful, and we enjoyed the opportunity.
Rattibone From Canada, joined Jul 2003, 125 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (8 years 5 months 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 6675 times:
If you still want to board through a tail of a 727, First Air does it all the time since all their fleet are combis, pax loading via an airport bridge can't be allowed. Lots of fun...
AzoresLover From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 745 posts, RR: 7 Reply 21, posted (8 years 5 months 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 6672 times:
And don't forget how DB Cooper chose to exit a NW 727 via the rear door back in 1972.
Of course, the plane was at altitude at the time!!
NOT recommended!
Those who want to do something will find a way; those who don't will find an excuse.
FlyboyOz From Australia, joined Nov 2000, 1893 posts, RR: 28 Reply 22, posted (8 years 5 months 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 6638 times:
Cool B727...It's a special design of B727 in the aviation history. In Australia, Ansett Australia was the first airlines to have B727s in Australia history...then later Trans Australian Airlines also had B727s as well. I had flown on Australian Airlines B727 from SYD-MEL when I was tod.
SQ also had B727s as well. It was my first time to flow on it.
FlewGSW From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 148 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (8 years 5 months 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 6612 times:
In March 2000, I was on a chartered Continental 727 out of Guam. We had to use the tail stairs as there was no equipment at the military airport we flew into. I understand that the plane was soon to be the last Continental 727 in service.
Trintocan From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2000, 3192 posts, RR: 4 Reply 24, posted (8 years 5 months 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 6526 times:
I have also boarded MD80s and DC9s through the tail doors. It is quite a unique experience to walk in right past the engines and climb into the plane from behind. I am not quite sure whether I have ever boarded a 727 in this way though.
TrintoCan.
Hop to it, fly for life!
25 Ltbewr: I recall using the tail stairs on a couple of time to leave a 727 at DCA back in the 1980's. Kinda of wierd but interesting experience, but obiously n
26 UK_Dispatcher: I have only ever used the tail stairs once - it was boarding a Spanair MD83 for a NCL-PMI flight in 1998.
27 Skydrol: Have boarded only two or three flights in this manner, I believe one was a DC-9 and two were 727s. As a kid, I thought this was incredible. Ventral st
28 Aerorobnz: I boarded an AZ MD82 via the tail in August. very loud.
29 Zippyjet: I thought D.B. Cooper who became the stuff of 70's folklore ended the use of ingress and egress from that bottom 727 door. Cooper hijacked a 727 back
30 NWAFA: The good old days!!! I have been very lucky to do it on PSA, UAL, and NWA. A few years back there was a power outage at MCI, and the jetways could not
31 Ckfred: Back in the 1960s, TWA used to use both L1 and the tail stairs to board and deplane 727s at Kansas City Municipal. Coach passengers used the tail stai
32 FlygMolinaFmly: My last experience boarding/exiting through the tail was returning from Las Palmas (LPA) to Madrid (MAD) on an Iberia Airlines 727-256 Adv in June 199
33 Pr1268: Don't some airlines' operations manuals dictate that the crew lower the rear stairway on a/c so equipped when the plane is parked to eliminate the pos
34 Skydrol: Pr1268 wrote: >>> Don't some airlines' operations manuals dictate that the crew lower the rear stairway on a/c so equipped when the plane is parked to
35 Aleksandar: I used those stairs many times and it was always fun. It was always on JAT's 727s and DC-9s at the airports throughout former Yugoslavia. Yes, it is l
36 Paddy78: Had a couple of experiences with this...at TWA here in Colorado we had a lot of football team charters coming in during the season to play the Falcons
37 Scotron11: Showing my age here, but in the 70's it was quite common to board the 727 via the rear stairs as quite a few airports in EU did not have air-bridges.
38 FlyMeToTheMoon: It was great getting off the DL shuttle at LGA and DCA through the back. Especially on Friday nights when everyone was in a hurry. Much to my surprise
39 737-990: You can still use the ventral stairs on Alaska MD-83s at BUR, especially now that they have implemented the"TANGO" turn procedures with 30 minute turn
40 United_fan: When FX had thier 727 at IAG for the airshow in August,they had the rear stairs open. You walked in the rear and exited the front.
41 AngelAirways: the only time i have boarded an aircraft through the tail was a year ago on an Alitalia MD-82. It was not pleasant at all. I was greeted by an eeeeevi
42 Ual777contrail: ~~~~A few years back there was a power outage at MCI, and the jetways could not be used. Only NWA, and AA could still get their flights in/out...AA wa
43 ClassicLover: FlyboyOz, you're so totally wrong with your statement about the Australian Boeing 727s. TAA and Ansett-ANA introduced Boeing 727s on the exact same da
44 Firstclasser: Can someone post the link to the "left side only" thread?
45 M404: This doesn't really fit as rear stairs but just an awesome rear view while walking under it to board at rear left door (not to mention a darn welcome
46 BOEING787: I remember boarding an Emitares 727 thru the tail once when flying from Colombo to Male (Maldives) in the early 90's. It was exteremely noisy but a ni
48 JetMechMD80: I thought D.B. Cooper who became the stuff of 70's folklore ended the use of ingress and egress from that bottom 727 door. Cooper hijacked a 727 back
49 Type-rated: What I remember most about entering/exiting ventral stairs is the odor of Jet-A, and how cold and windy it is back there! I've been up and down the re
50 Birdwatching: Actually, JetMech, I think he was referring to my name. Birdwatching means watching big silver birds, at least for me. I hope everybody understands th
51 GEG: Firstclasser, here's the link to the other thread http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/1906404/
53 SprxUSA: When my dad and I would fly to Ontario,CA every January back in late 70s, we would fly thru SFO on WA 737-200 down and PSA 727 coming back. I would a
54 Leezyjet: I remember boarding a BAC1-11 through the back door when I was young. I was quite scared too of the APU noise as it was really loud, but at the time I
55 JetMechMD80: Birdwatching, My mistake, I went back and re-read the post. Makes sense now
57 Dc863: I remember many times using the aft staircase on JAT DC-9s/727s from Dubrovnik to Belgrade and Zagreb during the 1970s and 1980s. In Dubrovnik you alw
59 EnoreFilho: Hi all!!!! I boarded through tail just when I was a child, about 1986 I was amazing for me.... best experience before flying!!! Cheers
60 N405MX: Great experience, even when the first time i was a child, i tought that the engine will burn the people when they leave the plane. Time ago, before MX
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