The DC-9 had just about the least convenient and ugliest cabin layout around, with open overhead stowage shelves instead of bins which were only introduced much later. The original engines were noisy and smoky, leaving soot all over the tailcone after only a few cycles. It was much improved in the Super-80 series. I just flew on an Alitalia one today and that reminded me of how beautifully and easily the DC-9/Super-80 flies.

--Gunda

I particularly remember how quickly the DC-8 -10 series which I flew to Detroit leaped off the runway here at FWA. I also thought the engines sounded really cool especially when the pilot shut one engine off after landing and taxied in on the opposite outboard engine. When he stopped just short of the gate awaiting the ground man's hand signals he had to smoothly stroke the thrust lever to a high rpm to get the plane rolling up the slight incline grade to the gate. I'll sure miss those Pratt and Whitney JT8D-7B turbofan's when all are retired.

--Anonymous

As an aviation buff and an Airline Manager, I fondly recall the DC-9, When I was with AC we only had two of the models, the 15 short series and the 32 series. Boy I recall dispatching one to Cleveland with only one passenger and 4 flight attendants. Gone are the days of those where schedules were schedules and slot times decreed the committed departure.

--Anonymous

I flew on my first DC-9-30 in 1969 on Ozark;and my last trip on a DC-9-30 was on a trip from MSP to Halifax Nova Scotia in July of 1998 29 years later. I think the DC-9-30 ranks as one of the aircraft that ranks as one of the truly great commercial airliners. The Air Canada DC-9's which I flew on were a trip back in time to the 1960's and Super70s when flying was a lot more enjoyable. The flight was much more comfrtable and cabin roomier with plenty of leg room. It was a vast improvement over a 737 or an A320. The Minneapolis-Toronto leg served a snack which was really a light meal. The flight went over Green Bay Wisconsin and lakes Michigan and Huron before desending into Toronto.

The Captain of the aircraft first name was Barbara and she made a very smooth landing. The Toronto-Halifax leg was flown by a Halifax based crew. The flight attendents on the flight said their favorite trips were on DC-9's. They liked them much better than A320's. I noticed a TWA DC-9-30 taking off for St Louis just before we took off. The plane was about 3/4 full with excellent cabin service all the way to Halifax. Passengers got seconds on Doritos and Cokes. Our arrival was on time at 0035 hrs. The return trip home was also on DC-9's. Our plane back to MSP almost had to return to the gate because of an unattended brief case found by the senior flight attendent. Its idiot owner had moved to another seat and forgot to tell the flight attendent. This was going to be a very long day for the crew. Toronto-MSP then back to Toronto then to Boston where they would overnight then more trips the next day. One thing that bothered me, however, on Air Canada the cockpit door remained open at all times except on take offs and landings. I was very uncomfortable about this and said something to flight attendent. Other than that it was a great trip on vintage aircraft. Air Canada only flew DC-9's on this route for a short time so I really cherished the trip. I really liked the DC-9. In addition to Air Canada;I liked Delta and Republic DC-9 trips the best. Sadly I have not flown on Northwest DC-9 trip since the merger with Republic in 1986. 757's, DC-10's, 747's and both A320's and A319's, but no DC-9.

--Anonymous