Below is the trip report from my families vacation to Rock Island, Illinois. I warn you, it is extremely detailed. I hope you enjoy it, as it takes a tremendous amount of time to gather all the "facts" and then write it.



On July 26th, my family was packed and ready for our trip to Rock Island, Illinois via Newark International Airport and O'Hare International Airport. We departed our house at 8:15am (a little late) and headed to Newark which lay 35-40 minutes East. It took some navigating on all of the family part in order for us to get to EWR due to heavy traffic that seemed to be backed up on every road we tried. Finally, we arrived at Newark around 9:10am. A trip that should have been done in 35 minutes had taken over an hour.

Once at Newark, I pulled up to United's concourse that is part of Terminal A at EWR. United's skycap area is the first few doors, so there was no problem dropping off the bags along with my mother and brother. My father and I got back into the car so that we could take it to long term parking.

After parking the car in lot D, my father and I caught the "lot" bus which took us to the monorail station. Once on the monorail, out trip towards Terminal A over Newark's ramps began. (Newark's monorail travels over the ramp which allows for great viewing of the aircraft.) On our way towards Terminal A, I was able to see an A320-200 (N438UA) and a 757-200 (N544UA) which both belonged to United. They were parked away from the circular concourse on the circular ramp space awaiting their days work, one behind another with the 757 leading the procession.

We arrived at Terminal A's monorail station which sits upon Concourse 2. (Terminal A has three concourse with circular gate areas sitting at the end of the "fingers"). From the monorail's elevated perch, I was able to see a Continental 737 and an America West A319-100 (N807AW). My father and I walked from Concourse 2 to Concourse 1. We passed through the security check and headed down the finger towards the gate. Windows are on both sides of the finger. On our walk I viewed an United Express/ Atlantic Coast Airlines BAe Jestream 41 (N305UE) sitting in the "commuter" ramp area.

Once down at the gates, I was able to view our aircraft that would take us from Newark to Chicago's O'Hare International. The aircraft was a United 727-200 (N7452U). She looked splendid in United's livery and it seemed as if she had just been delivered! She was sitting at Gate 11 and was being loaded with luggage and food for her first flight of the day. Sitting to the left of the old girl was an United A320-200 (N471UA) which had been delivered on 3/27/01 and was only 1 day shy of its 5 month "operational" birthday. I walked around United's concourse and was able to view one side of concourse 2. Parked at Concourse 2 was a TWA MD-83 (N961TW) along with a Spirit Airlines MD-87 (N807NK) and an Air Canada Canadair RJ 100ER (C-FWRR). Taxing out of UPS ramp area was a 767-300F. The call to board my flight (Flt 645) EWR-ORD came shortly after that. Before I knew it, I was walking down the gate to (N7452U).

F.Y.I. To give a better understanding of the airport and what I saw, I am going to explain the "layout" of the airport. From Concourse 1 of Terminal A, you are able to see both the U.P.S. ramp area and some of the FEDEX ramp area. In order to get to any runway from Concourse A you must taxi past BOTH. The UPS ramp is shaped like a square while the FEDEX ramp is a long rectangle that from Concourse A has one of its smaller sides visible and then extends away from you. The longer portions of the rectangle are parallel to both runways 4R and 4L.

July 26, 2001
United Airlines
Flt 645 EWR-ORD
B727-200 (N7452U)
Planned Departure Time: 10:15am (New Jersey Local Time)
Planned Arrival Time: 11:45am (Illinois Local Time)*
* Illinois is 1 hour behind New Jersey

Once onboard the 727, I asked if it would be okay to see the cockpit. The stewardess said sure and my father and I poked our heads into the "clock work" cockpit. Now, I am not one who has a problem with glass cockpits, but the 727's cockpit LOOKS like a cockpit should. All three of the flight crew were present, and soon enough we were chatting about the flight and weather. The first officer got up and took a photo of me in his seat. I talked with the crew about either going into the Air Force, or taking the civilian flight training route as my goal is to one day fly for the majors. The pros and cons were brought up by the crew, and they actually stated that the National Guard or Reserves might be my best bet. I also asked the crew what they thought of the 727's upcoming retirement. The captain said that they were, "Extremely dissapointed". They loved flying the 727 and were sad to hear the retirement news. I asked them which aircraft they were going to transfer to, and the captain pointed to the almost 5 month od A320-200 (N471UA) sitting to our right. He said they would transfer to "Sparky", the electric jet. They weren't happy about it, but couldn't do anything. They liked the Boeing better and were not pleased about their company ordering aircraft that were not manufactured by Americans. After our chat, I headed back to my seat (11E) but my brother let me sit in 11F so that I could see out the window. Pushback came right on time at 10:15am.

Upon engine startup, we began out taxi to runway 4L. We had only taxied a little while when Newark's famous traffic jam slowed us down. I have to say that the captain dealt with the delay professoinally and kept the passengers informed. In fact, upon pushback he let us know what our estimated flight time would be, and then the estimated ground time. He let us know that the time, was "built in" to our flight time. It appeared to me that everyone was calmer because it seemed that the captain and crew were on our side, and that they were going to do their best. It created a great atmosphere in the cabin, because the crew was as frustrated with the system as us. ATC was on channel 9, and the captain invited us to listen in. I was already listening though. Visible from my window was the FEDEX ramp where a 727-200F (N499FE) and a DC-10-30F (N307FE) "Erin Lee" sat awaiting the days or nights work. A few aircraft ahead of us on a perpendicular taxi way was a UPS. 767-300F (N312UP) which I had watched taxi out of the UPS ramp space from Concourse 1. Directly ahead of us on our taxi way was a Midway Airlines Canadair RJ-200ER (N584ML). As we moved up, I was able to see that a Continental ERJ 145LR (N3965) was sitting behind the UPS 767. We lined up on a taxiway that was parallel to the UPS 767's taxiway. Aircraft that came into view during this time included two Continental 737s, a -300 (N61304) and -700 (N38727). We slowly taxied closer and closer to 4L. We were now parallel to the longer side of FEDEX's ramp space. At the entrance to FEDEX's ramp sat a 727-100F (N136FE) "Christopher" which was awaiting its turn onto the taxiway.

A Continental ATR-42 (N14822) was the last aircraft I was able to see on the taxiway to our left. My viewing area was now all of FEDEX's ramp space. At the Southern end of the ramp was a FEDEX 727-200F (N492FE) which looked to be sleeping and of nobodies concern. Further South sat Airborne Express's ramp space, and boy was it busy. Airborne's DC-8-60F aircraft (N824AX), (N818AX) and (N848AX) sat being unloaded after a nights work. A Cessna Caravan 208B (N931FE) of FEDEX (operated by Wiggins AW) sat to the eastern side of the Airborne ramp awaiting its takeoff turn.

Finally, we were number 1 for takeoff. We turned onto runway 4L and began a full runup. At 11:00am the brakes were released, and N7452U began its takeoff roll. 20 seconds later, we were airborn over Northern New Jersey with the gear coming up. The flight was 98% full, but we were not having any problem gaining altitude. The captain came on and told us that our cruising altitude would be 31,000 ft. Listening to ATC is always fun and I ate my lunch of chicken pot pie while listening to our aircraft navigate its way towards Chicago and ORD. We were moving along quite fast, and we passed over some or one of the great lakes. Several times, ATC had to slow us down due to traffic ahead of us. In fact, on one occasion the captain asked to climb above the slow moving "company" traffic so that we could pass them. Unfortunately we were denied. Soon enough though, the power was pulled back, the tray tables were cleared and we began out descent into ORD. We leveled off at 13,000ft and were asked to "give it all we got" to which the captain replied "370". We seemed to be blowing through our approach faster than anyone else! Thankfully there were no holds being given, and before I knew it we were on short final to ORD. We touchdown at exactly 11:45 am local time (ON TIME) and taxied off the runway. We began our jog to gate C4 immediately.

On our jog to gate C4, I was able to view an American 777-200ER (N780AN) sitting at its gate. An American 737-800 (N922AN) also came into view. A small grouping of American Eagle jets comprising of ERJ-145LRs (N633AE), (N611AE), and a lone ERJ-135LR (N717AE) became visible. Another terminal came into view, and it seemed that United Express/Atlantic Coast Airlines Canadair RJ-200ERs ruled this section. Aircraft viewed were (N648BR), (N658BR), (N628BR), (N637BR), (N647BR). An all white RJ-200ER (N8950E) sat with them.

As we pulled up to gate C4, I viewed an United 727-200 (N7444U) a few gates to our right. Two gates down from ours sat United's 737-200 (N998UA). We finally were attached to the gate, and people began to mill around. As they did this, I continued to look out my window. United's 737-200 (N982UA) pulled into the next gate as I got up and began my walk off the aircraft.

I walked up the air bridge and began walking away before remember to go back and take a photo of "my" 727-200. I was very impressed with the flight. It had left on time, arrived on time, and the service had been exceptional. I walked throught the terminal and was able to photo several United aircraft*. I saw a 757-200 (N593UA), 767-300 (N641UA), 757-200 (N536UA) and a 747-400 (N183UA) which was bound for Japan. I then happily put away my spotters gear and headed down the escalator towards the luggage carousel and a 3 hour drive west towards the Mississippi and Rock Island.

*Kudos go to my patient family that let me go BACK to the terminal to see the 757s, 767 and 747 after we had already gotten on the escalator heading towards the baggage area. Without their kindness, (N593UA), (N641UA), (N536UA) and (N183UA) would not have been possible. In order to get the 747-400s registration, I had to look for its door number as the tail was blocked. This was easier said than done as two air bridges and hoses blocked the way. I had to sit down in a chair and then lean so that my head was almost parallel to it, then use the binoculars to see past the air bridges and hoses all while the arm rest of the chair dug into my right side. The hard work paid off though, as "8183" turned into (N183UA). God I love airplanes!




On July 31st after spending 5 rejuvenating days with our entire family in Rock Island, Ill, my family was once again set to travel "The Friendly Skies". We left Rock Island at 7:45 am and headed towards O'Hare which lay 3 hours to the East.

After returning the rental car to National, we boarded their green bus and were taken to United's domestic terminal. On the way there, I was able to view an United 737-500 (N940UA) along with an A319-100 (N813UA) that sat beside one another at their gates. Once inside the terminal, we checked in with our Easy Pass tickets which is pretty much done through an electronical interface by touching the "right" answers on the screen.

We were told by the ticket agent that our departure gate would be B1. As I was walking through the terminal, my family stopped to get a small pan pizza at a pizza hut. I was hungry also and decided to join them. I sat down with them and from my "Pizza Perch" was able to view several United aircraft at their gates or taxing by. United's 757-200 (N591UA), 737-300 (N368UA), 737-300 (N338UA), 737-200 (N974UA), 737-300 (N339UA), A320-200 (N410UA), 727-200 (N7289U) along with two Continental 737s one of which was -800 (N77258) and a -500 (N16649). Also visibe was an United 737-300 (N341UA), and 727-200 (N7292U). I left Pizza Hut with my family and took the 30 second walk to where gate B1 was. I left my bag with my family and began to walk around. From my viewpoint near gate B3 or 4, I was able to see an American 757-200 (N505AA) pass. I walked back to where my gate was, and saw that our aircraft had arrived. She was a little late, but United's 737-500 (N941UA) rested at B1 with its engines cooling down after the trip from Philadelphia, as its passengers came through the air bridge doors. The little workhorse was in need of a wash, but sat being prepared for the 1:35 minute flight to EWR.

I glanced over at the terminal behind our 737's tail and was able to see a Continental 737-500 (N18658) at its gate along with an United 727-200 (N7298U) that sat a few gates down to the left. Further down to the 73's right sat a TWA MD-82 (N916TW). Over at concourse C sat United's 737-200 (N980UA). Taxing further out on the ramp area away from the terminals was an United A320-200 (N419UA), an American MD-82 (N419AA), and an Air Canada 737-200 (C-GJCP), United 757-200 (N594UA), United 727-200 (N7444U) and a U.S. Airways 737.

Boarding for flt 646 ORD-EWR was called at 12:20 (20 minutes late) and I got my ticket ready. I walked down the gate and onto (N941UA).

July 31, 2001
United Airlines
Flt 646 ORD-EWR
B737-500 (N941UA)
Planned Departure Time: 12:00pm Local Time (Illinois)
Planned Arrival Time: 3:35pm Local Time (New Jersey)* New Jersey is 1 hour ahead of Illinois.


I asked if it would be okay to take a peek into the cockpit. I have always thought the half glass half steam gauge cockpit looked nice and the 737-500's "pit" was up and running. I chatted with the flight crew for a few minutes about the Air Force and Civilian flight training. They both had different viewpoints as the Captain (A Female!) had gone to Purdue and the first officer had been in the Navy flying P-3s. When our discussion ended, I made my way back to seat 14F.

Even though we boarded late, we were incredibly able to push back around 12:35, and began our taxi out. As we taxied by Terminal C, United's 737-200 (N978UA) came into view. I also spotted United's 757-200 (N527UA) sitting at a gate. I happened to fly this aircraft last summer on United's EWR-DEN route. I was happy to see her still working hard almost a year later. Along with "my" 757 sat a 737-200 (N982UA), 737-300 (N341UA) and a 727-200 (N7288U).

For some reason or another, we bypassed the line of aircraft awaiting departure on one of O'Hare's runways. Instead of using the backlogged runway, we taxied down a parallel taxiay to another runway were only a Continental ERJ and 737-300 (N16649) (which I had seen earlier at the gates) sat. The ERJ took off, and we passed the CO 737 and did a rolling takeoff at 12:40pm Local time.

With the gear up, the "Baby Boeing" did a left turn departure from O'Hare and headed towards the greater Metropolitian area known as New York. I looked around, and the flight was 75-85% full. As we began our climb to 29,000ft the flight attendants prepared our meal. 10-15 minutes later, I was eating lasagna while watching the CFM's exhaust blur the sky. Unfourtunately, ATC was not available on Channel 9. The "Baby Boeing" soon began her descent though, and tray tables were cleared and the seatbelt sign illuminated. The captain came on and announced that we were descending into Newark, and also stated that there were several storm "cells" in the area that might cause some turbulence.

Our descent in EWR was quite rapid, while we flew through the aforementioned turbulence. The plane shook quite a bit and I was rather enjoying the ride. My mother though was turning green and had her eyes closed. Not a good sign! After several rapid descents and shaking due to the cells, we were on short final to runway 4R. Touchdown was a little fast and rough, but manageable. We departed 4R and held short of 4L. We had a long taxi ahead of us as United's terminal lay at the other end of the airport!

As we held short of 4L, an Air Canada A319-100 (C-GBHO) did the same on a parallel taxiway a bit further down. A minute or two later we crossed over 4L and began our taxi back towards Terminal A, Concourse 1. A Continental DC-10-30 (N39081) became visible through my window as it to taxied towards its gate. We passed the International Terminal (Terminal B) where two Lufthansa A340-300s (D-AIGW) and (D-AIGV) were sitting along with a SAS 767-300ER (LN-RCH) "Ingegerd Viking", an Alitalia 767-300ER (I-DEIF) "Christoforo Colombo" and a KLM 767-300ER (PH-BZA) "Blue Bridge".

A British Airways 777-200ER (G-VIIY) was parked away from Terminal B awaiting its trip back across the pond to Heathrow. Joining the BA 777 at "long term parking" were two SAS 767-300ERs, (OY-KDM) "Ingvar Viking" and (OY-KDL) "Tjodhild Viking". Further down from the three Boeing aircraft sat a TAP Air Portugal A310-300 (CS-TEJ) "Pedro Nunes" relaxing with a TWA MD-83 (N961TW).

Our 737-500 finally arrived at Concourse 1 and pulled into Gate 12. Next to us at Gate 13 sat a 757-200 (N548UA). Other than the 757 and us, United's terminal was empty. (N941UA) soon shut down its engines and people began to get their carry on luggage. My family sat still though as my mother was still quite green and not feeling to good from the fighter jet like approach and long bumpy taxi. After a few mintues of resting, my mom was able to walk. I left my family and went and took a photo of (N491UA) which as still being unloaded. I had plenty of time to "spot" as I would meet my family by the luggage carousel. I took a photo of (N548UA) and then walked to where I could see UPS's ramp space. At UPS ramp sat two Continental birds! A 757-200 sat along side a 777-200ER. The 757 had a few doors on its starboard side open, while the 777's front starboard side door was open. All I could see of the 777 was up to the first starboard side door and its tail. The rest was blocked behind the 757. At concourse 2 sitting left to right was a Spirit Airlines MD-83 (N802NK), the earlier seen Air Canada A319-100 (C-GBHO) and a TWA MD-83 (N978TW).

I then saw that my father and brother were standing outside of the ladies bathroom waiting for my mother. It seems that the had not gotten better. I took this extra time to go back and finally get the CO 777-200ER's registration which was (N74007). In order to get the 777's registration, I had to peer with the binoculars at the 777's front gear door through a swarm of trucks, baggage cars and then move to the right slowly as ceratain numbers were only visible from certain angles! I wandered back to where "our" bird sat. Next to it, the 757 was being loaded with the final pieces of luggage as the passengers began to form a line and board the flight, which was headed to O'Hare. It definately looked like a full flight! My 737-500 (N941UA) sat at the next gate resting. It was quite a peaceful scene. The little "Baby Boeing" was alone and was catching "20 winks" of rest before its next flight which was to Denver. No ground crew or loading machinery were nearby even though the cargo doors were open. It was the eye before the storm so to speek as the clock read 4:00pm, but the 737 was oblivious to this fact. I packed away my spotting equipment and left the sleeping 737 and headed towards the luggage carousel. On the way I viewed an United Express/Atlantic Coast Airlines Canadair RJ 200ER (N623BR). My family was late arriving at the luggage carousel because my mom had needed a wheel chair. After getting the luggage, my father headed off on the monorail to get the car. It turned out that he didn't have a key to it! By the time he got back, my mother was feeling better. We all headed over to the monorail and out to the car. I viewed a Continental 737-500 (N19638) at Concourse 2 as the monorail pulled away from the station. We passed over United's ramp space, and saw the terminal, where another 757, a 777 and 727 had joined the party. Try as I might, I couldn't get the registrations. As you all know, a spotters work is never done. 10 minutes later I fired up the Volvo 240DL and put the petal to the metal. My families vacation was over, but I gave a quick wink to Newark International. I would be back in less than 24 hours to do it all over again as a Continental MD-80 would carry me to MCO.


Within the next 24-48hrs, I will post a trip report on my two Continental flights from EWR-MCO and MCO-EWR.