I remember watching the last DC-10 lift off from Long Beach airport in 1989 as we were walking to Building 84 to study the new MD-11. It was a sad sight, especially as the McDonnell Douglas Company had failed to capitalize on the strengths of the design. Rejecting the opportunity to build a twin-engined DC-10 in the early Super70s allowed Boeing to take the lead with the development of the 767 in the late Super70s.

--Fly DC Jets

I can clearly remember back in the Super70s when American Airlines flew the DC-10 into Buffalo International. Compared to the 707's, 727's, and DC-9's that were common in BUF, the "10" was absolutely enormous. AA would fly the DC-10 between BUF and ORD and DTW.

I flew the DC-10 quite frequently into the Awesome80s and early 1990's. Too bad AA retired their DC-10 fleet. The three man crew is a thing of the past. AA recently retired their last Boeing 727 in April of this year. Sad.

--Anonymous

My father worked on the DC-10 program. I have several pictures of the planes and the crew working on it. Maybe some of you remember the roadrunner and coyote crews? A great time and a great plane.

--Anonymous

A legendary aircraft. As an aircraft mechanic I grew to know the aircraft and its systems quite intimatly. I worked on the Dc10's at Continental Airlines (LAX and GUM), with Dynair (LAX),with Leisure Air (LAX, SFO, HNL: Flight Mechanic) and with Northwest Airlines (MSP, DC10-30 and DC10-40). I'd fly it any day.

--Runtaxia320

In June 1979 I flew from Gatwick to New York with Skytrain. The flight and service was superb. I knew there was a problem with the DC10 so I was aware of the whole flight. While in New York the fleet was grounded, we flew back on a 747, but I can honestly say beeing to the US many times since it was the best flight I have ever been on. Recently I had the plesure of attending a dinner dance in Manchester with past flight crews of the DC10. I was the entertainment for the night but believe me I was the one being entertained with the many stories of the DC10.

--Lewis Middleton

I have flown the DC-10-30/40 about fifteen times in the past twenty years with Northwest Airlines, over both oceans. I remember my first flights- graceful, with quiet touchdowns and comfortable traveling. As the DC-10 aged, my flights soon became uncomfortable, overcrowded, and often times scary, with lights flickering and bins opening in turbulence. On a flight last summer there was a burning smell coming from the back of the plane and the pilot had to go investigate- quite scary! The worst time to fly the DC-10 is on hot summer afternoons, when the legendary bird uses up the whole runway and struggles to take off.

--Anonymous