Thursday afternoon, I was sitting on a Delta jet waiting to depart for Atlanta from DCA. I love Delta, really I do. I fly Delta relatively often now that I live in Atlanta, and they are my airline. That said, I’ve still got a little red, white, and blue left in me. What the heck am I talking about? As you may remember, I spent the formative years of my working life with American Airlines…. the silver bird, Astrojet service, and red, white, and blue.
True story – If I’m at an airport and an A380, 747-8, or a 787 taxi by, no matter the airline, I may give them a second look. New airplane types always interest me, but an MD-80 or a 737? I suppose the only word I can think of to describe those aircraft types is ubiquitous. But if one of those types taxis by with a little polished aluminum, a red, white, and blue stripe down the side, and an AA on the tail, I always stop to look…in reverence.
Yes, I’m probably a little weird, but I have a special place in my heart for AA and AA’s jets. Does anyone else ever watch a particular airline’s aircraft more than others? Have a special connection to a particular airline? Yes, I’m an #AvGeek. No apologies.
-MJ, August 2, 2013
I’m with you, Marshall. I can’t think of any better way to waste a little time than watching commercial aircraft, regardless of type or brand, coming and going at an airport. Despite all the monuments and museums in the area, Gravelly Point is still my favorite attraction in Our Nation’s Capital–DCA users will know what I mean. But, like you, my heart soars when I spot one of my “red, white and blues”. I’ll even admit to warming up to the new piano-keyboard tails of the “new” American. I guess it’s in our blood . . .
@Gary, it is in our blood. 🙂