Airlines need the 747 NOW more than EVER.

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@Bruno Levionnois
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______________________________________________________________________________
Trying to fly commercially in 2022 has been utter chaos. We’ve all seen the images of crazy long security lines, and encountered sky-high prices when booking flights. But by far the most disruptive part of traveling this summer has been the mass flight cancellations.
It turns out that the pilot shortage we’ve been hearing about for years has finally caught up to airlines. With more scheduled flights than pilots available, carriers have had no choice but to cut back. But what if they got creative - what if, instead of canceling flights, they consolidated them? For instance, what if instead of flying two separate flights on a 737 or A320, airlines operate a single flight on a 747 - a plane that’s twice the size. That way, you’d need half the number of pilots to carry the same number of passengers. Could this tactic help solve the shortage - and more importantly, would it be profitable? Let me explain…
Sources:
1. www.nbcnews.co...
2. www.oliverwyma...
3. atpflightschoo....
4. epicflightacad....
5. pea.com/airlin....
6. unitedaviate.c...
7. atpflightschoo...
8. airlineweekly....
9. simpleflying.c...
10. airlineweekly....
11. www.cnn.com/tr...
12. www.flightglob...
Timestamps:
-Intro - 0:00
-Why are we in a pilot shortage? - 1:22
-Existing solutions to the shortage - 3:17
-How the 747 can help - 4:47
-Potential drawbacks - 6:59
-Finding a middle ground - 8:09
-Share your experience as a pilot! - 8:49
-Magic Spoon - 9:11
-Outro - 10:23
#747 #A380 #Boeing #Airbus

[@cobyexplanes]

Use my code COBYEXPLANES to get $5 off your delicious, healthy Magic Spoon cereal by clicking this link: magicspoon.thld.co/cobyexplanes_0822

[@Skarry]

How much do they pay you cuz... I'd consider matching just to stop this gross product.

[@ThoughtMachine1]

What? LOL! You are soooo off the mark. 95% of North American commercial pilots were trained in the military, which spends millions on training. With military downsizing the well went dry. How the hell could you miss that???

[@The-Cat]

Use my code DONTGIBAFUK to get a measily $6 off of your subjective claim of taste, processed product by clicking Not hating the way you earn a buck, just making fun of how comercially dry the comment was made. They probably don't pay you enough to put more effort into it and it shows 🤣😄

[@ChasetheG]

But Drew Gooden doesn’t like that cereal.

[@cobyexplanes]

@@ChasetheG who dat

[@edp2260]

The other reason that there is a shortage of airline pilots is that for decades the airlines depended on the military to provide a steady supply of fully trained high time pilots. That option has been shrinking for years. In the US the size of the military pilot pool has been down sizing for years. Military airfields have been closing, and the services have been retaining their pilots longer.

[@jnb756]

not to mention the amount of time you have to sign up for to even be considered for a pilot slot - Way Way back in 1985 you had to commit to 8 years minimum and even if you did you may not get accepted as the waiting list for spots was so long. I don't know if it's the same or worse now but that was the reason I never enlisted.

[@stotheh]

Tight arse airlines won't pony up to train people off the street to be pilots. There's your shortage. Grow a pair, and pay the few hundred thousand. It's a drop in the ocean of their operating budgets.

[@jonathanswift7388]

it used to take an entire fleet of bombers and tens of fighter escorts to take out a target. now it takes a drone or two A10s. The military doesn't need as many pilots. they just need a couple high skill guys. lets pilots coming out of the military because we have FAR less aircraft than we needed before

[@billsmith5109]

This is on the right track. There were more B-52’s, C-141B’s, C-5’s, KC-135’s out flying. One KC-10 can still only be at one place, but it has a lot more fuel. I wonder if people remember that starting with the October Crisis (Cuba & missiles) SAC kept 1/3 of the fleet in the air, with nukes loaded, for years on end. And that 1/3rd was of a much larger B-52 fleet. Before authorization to land was granted a different B-52 had to already be in the air. No replacement, refuel and stay up. So lots of KC-135 work. Of course the Air Force has staffing problems. So lo and behold a lot of their aircraft are being flown by reservists. My memory is that this used to be uncommon, and largely confined to the small Nightingale fleet. So instead of these ships training lots of new pilots, they’re side jobs for commercial airline pilots, often previous regular Air Force. Bigger aircraft, C-17’s vs C-141’s, KC-10’s & KC-46’s vs KC-135’s mean a smaller fleet is needed. So you no longer have a large pool experienced multi-engine regular Air pilots deciding at 8 years whether to stay in or not, or pilots at 20 years deciding they’re not on the general officer track, I’ll retire and go to United or Pan Am, and fly to retirement age. I’m not sure what you mean by short haul. There was a time in the early-mid ‘70’s when a combination of factors led to B-747’s regularly being used on transcontinental, east coast-west coast flights. There was just a shortage of aircraft compared to market. (Inflation helped, but for a couple decades it was a truism that no jet airliner had ever resold for less than its original purchase price.) Not enough smoky 707’s and 727’s, DC-10’s and L-1011’s were available. Early 737’s weren’t transcontinental aircraft. DC-9’s carried too few passengers. Second the 747 carried so much more freight under the floor, and with containerization, could load and unload it quickly, that there were periods of time that the airlines could make a profit just from the freight, before they sold a ticket for the main cabin. So it’s been done before, for different economic reasons.

[@JeffDM]

Decades of depressing wages, and other short term thinking are a lot of how the airlines got themselves into such a tight bind.

[@ricardokowalski1579]

plus regulatory pressure on airframe manufacturers prevented expansion, modernization and competition of flight schools

[@matsv201]

Isnt the real problem the way pilot education is finazed... in europe, more and more Airlines contract People in flight school. Paying for the expensives for a typically 5 year contract with reduced pay.

[@ricardokowalski1579]

@@matsv201 Yeah... indebted servitude with pilot's wings. Would love to see the personal chashflow of these programs,.

[@matsv201]

@@ricardokowalski1579 i guess the program isnt that bad. Most People stay with them after the first 5 years. Its really no worse than any other education. Even if you theoreticallt get your collage payed in europe. That is not quite the whole trouth. Expenses for a european collage student is so high it might eat up the benefit from not having to pay a fee. And pay is horriblt lacking, even for good educations like engineering. I would say for the momey pilots in europe are probobly better of than the avrage collage student.

[@ricardokowalski1579]

@@matsv201 at least we can agree that "isn't that bad" is not the most attractive option for young people? 😁

[@JeffInDFW]

Customers love the 747. I literally go out of my way to get to fly The Queen via Lufthansa to Germany. I will do the same for any carrier that reintroduces 747 to domestic routes in the United States. Come on.....who gets excited about flying on an A320? Bring back the 747 to help the pilot shortage.

[@davidshepherd265]

This. As an Australian car enthusiast, to me the 747 is the Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon of the skies. Big, comfortable, luxurious (if you spend the money), powerful, turns an ordinary trip into an event, and is one of the last of its kind. The 737 or A320 is like a Corolla. Yeah, its nice, reliable, safe, and relatively comfortable (if a bit squishy), and it does the job, but meh.

[@orestes1984]

@@davidshepherd265 Qantas did this several years ago with the 747-300 in Australia to fix a short term demand crisis, it never really worked that well on the Sydney - Perth route. The comfort of the dash 300 was good, but the capacity was outlandish vs demand. The only place this works is on the second hop from DFW or LAX where Qantas can earn a few more dollars with a short haul hop from their international terminal for domestic customers between Melbourne, and Brisbane. As a domestic route, 400 PAX often leads to empty planes. In international routes however, it may be a different case as Lufthansa is proving with its relatively new and still economical dash eights. In fact the A330 proved to be a better fit for domestic long haul at the time in Australia Lufthansa, however, may have just proven to be the smartest carrier in the market, without knowing it, for choosing the dash eight over the A380. Their current dash eight fit out is an elite product and the numbers are about right to fill a plane in today's market while offering enough cabin space to either offer a bar, and fewer passengers up top, or to have the top section filled out with first class seats. Boeing could retool their dash eight freighter plants for intercontinentals rather quickly if this market continued as it is.

[@enkii82]

till you fly A380...

[@bmc9504]

The world is progressing and being inspired is no longer necessary for most things, it made sense in the 50s when their was requirements for new pilots, aircraft deseigns etc. Imagination needs taking away, aviation is done with and computers will do it better. Need a plane? A long one, a short one or a long wide one? 2 engines or 2 engines? Sad.

[@jurfvixzlol]

Same I love the 747

[@Dan.d649]

The 747 was an airplane that kept the world going, in high numbers. The freighter version has become a big hit. That's why you will see this airplane plying the skies many years to come until the very last one is retired. The most recent models that were built might've not seen drastic production, but are establishing their roles pretty well to this day. Though construction has ceased for the 747, it's legacy continues to impress any carrier out there. The higher costs of maintenance were a significant factor as to why this majestic airplane can't be retooled, and redesigned. The Boeing company took this program to greater heights when the longer -8 version was introduced. When this airplane will stop flying, it will so dearly be missed, and with that, it'll be like taking a huge chunk out of aviation history, and the airline industry all together.

[@Hecatonicosachoron54]

For real I love 747, it's one of the most beautiful and historical planes. I dream of being able to fly it someday

[@garyhughes2446]

It is an incredibly outstanding jet, and when you consider it went from planning to production in under 30 months, with minimal computer power compared to today's it is phenomenal. I believe it was about 6 years maybe a little longer, until the 8380 was flying, from when it was first planned. A380 did have it's production problems and in fairness a lot tougher logistics to overcome but it did seem to take forever. Very unfortunate about its high expensive operating cost.

[@coldwarkid6611]

I took a flight on Christmas Day 2006 from KC to Denver. It's usually a 737 hope . When I got to the gate I thought I was in the wrong place because there was a 747 sitting there. I was so excited. We loaded up and there wasn't an empty seat on the plane. It was a pretty neat experience.

[@sologhostxx8010]

Yeah no more 747s coming into den

[@mikethompson3534]

Yes now days it will only be the 737-Coffin

[@jimmiller5600]

Please note -- most airlines require or "strongly suggest" a four year degree on top of the $100k flight training cost.

[@babyj4154]

True, KLM for example gives you the chance to go through selection twice. If you don’t get through it the first time they require you to first have your degree before trying a second time

[@jessiegeorg8438]

For now. As the shortage continues and only gets worse, that "requirement" is going to drop away pretty quickly

[@well-blazeredman6187]

A rather strange requirement. BA doesn't seem to push degrees at all - but specifies good enough educational attainment, at secondary school, so that the applicant COULD get into university.

[@JeffDM]

So the real flight training cost is more than $200k for those airlines. It would only make sense if they’re trying to winnow down from an excess of candidates.

[@itheseacow7590]

Yep, wanted to be a pilot but the flight training is $150kaud, whereas working as an engineer I can get an internship before I finish my degree, and start earning more money than I would if I started again as a Pilot

[@stephenwodz7593]

Getting a private pilot's licence is a load of fun! After your first solo, you'll be able to consistently fly on your own, and there's nothing like the feeling of having total control of the plane, with no-one beside you to bail you out if something goes wrong. If you can afford it, go for it Coby.😀👍

[@RayanfhoulaBR]

the most fucking passive aggressive message I've seen in the internet

[@davidshepherd265]

I've been saying this since COVID hit and airlines started sending their 747s to the boneyard, that once borders opened back up there'd be a massive pent up demand for overseas travel, and that they would regret doing away with the 747. Not to mention that in between avgeeks, people who have fond memories of the 747 for whatever reason, people who still haven't had their shot at flying on one, and indeed, people who have a slight fear of flying when it comes to smaller planes, there are reasons as to why putting the 747 back into service would give any airline an edge over the competition. That being said though, infrastructure at domestic terminals is often not optimally configured for widebodies. In November 2019 I flew from Sydney up to Brisbane for a night on a Qantas 747, for no other reason than that they were running some domestic 747 flights to reposition the planes for the Antarctica flights, and I wanted one last shot at flying on a 747. The Qantas terminal at Sydney Domestic has exactly one gate that can fit a widebody, and I remember the line to board the plane snaked through most of the terminal.

[@uwekonnigsstaddt524]

777 Pilot Juan, his KZbin channel “Blancolirio”, explained a while back during COVID, what the airlines were doing, including early retirement packages

[@cobyexplanes]

Great channel

[@bmc9504]

The world is progressing and being inspired is no longer necessary for most things, it made sense in the 50s when their was requirements for new pilots, aircraft deseigns etc. Imagination needs taking away, aviation is done with and computers will do it better. Need a plane? A long one, a short one or a long wide one? 2 engines or 2 engines? Now be a basic obedient human being!

[@LNERMallard]

Yikes... early retirement packages... bet they regret doing that now.

[@LNERMallard]

@@bmc9504 Shop somewhere else, lady.

[@ancientorchids]

Wow...great video!

[@PavlosPapageorgiou]

Maybe the idea of paying new pilots less than bus drivers wasn't a good one.

[@mefobills279]

Pilot median salary is about $200K per year. Good try. Flying a plane is not hard, you are paying for instinct. Autopilot does most of the work.

[@coltonkarges2656]

@@mefobills279 as a professional pilot… thank you! This comment made my day!

[@justfun287]

@@mefobills279 Hahahahahahahah

[@chudchadanstud]

​@@coltonkarges2656 Just let ChatGPT do the work bro. It's easy.

[@teamgmotorsports]

Save the 747, the OG King of air travel!!!

[@infernalchaos1066]

Unless piloting is gonna pay the same as being a doctor, then they probably shouldn't charge as much as medical school. This single factor hurts the industry more than any other. Air Force vets are their biggest pool because they've already had the training. For free. Quite a few trucking companies offer training to new hires. Maybe the airline industry needs to start doing that. They have most of the simulators so it would be easy. Maybe have the student sign a non competitive clause or something. It's do-able.

[@nitinaravindraj6753]

The 747 must be brought back!

[@64BitGameDev]

YES

[@subtodicerat8305]

YES

[@joeandreisacdalan7563]

YES

[@BlueAirways]

Agree

[@melodiousking4598]

Indeed

[@thepilotist7297]

As an airline pilot, the issues with staffing are far more complex than most people think. The majors use a number of independent regional carriers to operate lower capacity routes or smaller markets. Those routes are important to many passengers but the regionals are bearing the brunt of the pilot shortage (thanks to the majors hiring all their pilots). Also, the staffing issues aren’t just pilots. The industry is critically short of ATC, flight attendants, dispatchers, ramp workers, and other airport staff. The industry as a whole is growing faster than the supply of qualified employees. Unfortunately, there is no real solution to these issues on the horizon. Until pilots and other industry people get paid what they’re worth to the economy as a whole, you will see a growing number of cancellations and delays for the next 2 decades at least. Just my 2 cents from the inside. I wish 747s were the solution, I’d love to fly one!

[@clover5172]

I mean there is another Option, that takes care of a lot of downsides Wet Leasing them Because Staff will be provided with the aircraft, and Atlas is a good choice to wet lease from, since Atlas has quite a few 747 passenger variants on the ready, and they are probably willing to lend a few 747s to help out and since atlas is also operating the planes, operating them will be far cheaper than if u were to take a 747 out of long term storage

[@julosx]

@@clover5172 But Atlas has only two passenger 747-400s… No more.

[@theanonymousaviationlover2677]

It’s not a bad idea, however there’s also a shortage of flight attendants. Bigger planes require bigger crews and I read that each flight attendant is needed per 50 passengers so a 747 would need at least 8 of them. Hence, airlines are still going to have problems staffing flights anyways.

[@WPM_in_ATL]

The learning curve for a flight attendant is a lot shorter than the learning curve for the 747/A380 flight deck. Those jumbos were piloted by the most experienced, highest seniority pilots, weren't they?

[@mmm0404]

Pilot shortage is the problem , because of the high cost associated with getting a licence not everyone can be one. Being a flight attendant on the other hand is relatively Easier and far cheaper so there could never be a flight attendant shortage ever.

[@jeffgravel5220]

There is no flight attendant shortfall.

[@TheGecko213]

Any High School graduate can become a flight attendant with 3-12 months of training

[@user-do5zk6jh1k]

Don't pass off lies as facts

[@mememachine5244]

I have a Master in Engineering in the UK, I can either go BA fast track to be a heavy long haul pilot with their program and be overed worked, under paid in a job that can be ripped away due to reason out of my control. Or work as an engineer in a secure job with better benifits, better pay and for double the salary.

[@chase.b2967]

Most pilots are flying cause they love aviation. You could make double the salary and get better benefits but most pilots (including me) fly because it’s our passion

[@EuropaUX]

What's about BA Fast track? Can you please give more information about that?

[@mhdibm7515]

I am an engineer as well but as @chase.b said it's about passion especially in aviation

[@jamesdellaneve9005]

I got my ground school when I was in Junior high. This was in the 1970’s. I couldn’t afford to get my license. I only got to play hockey because my dad worked for a company that sold it to employees for 80% off. Then in High School I wanted to fly and knew a few pilots doing the hauling for no money and ridiculous hours, which are unsafe. Recently, I flew to work everyday in a little 4 seater. I didn’t get the passion back, but enjoyed being at the wheel and reducing my commute from 2 hours to 20 minutes here in SoCal.

[@kennyjacobs867]

@@chase.b2967 I agree flying is a passion, But reality has a way of poking it head in. When your wife get pregnant you got to get serious and make money.

[@F22raptor46]

Student pilot here, I'm here to tell you go for it! You won't regret it! I'm real close to my first solo which I do next week, then I do cross countries and night flights which are awesome!

[@rubes3927]

How was that first solo? 😉

[@F22raptor46]

@rubes scary but awesome fun!!

[@kichigaisensei]

The 777 and 787 are both miraculous planes. But, I do miss the old 747. It really was a wonderful plane.

[@DylanAmalfitano]

I'm 40 and this video makes me want to spend the next 20 as a pilot. As someone with a mortgage and two small kids it can never happen. Flying the 747 has always been the biggest dream of my life. It is truly a work of art. The day it last graces the skies of this world will truly be a day or mourning.

[@TrainerAQ]

@@ThePolaroid669 lol I stayed away from that! I don't need the drama on top of this.

[@melesmelesfaber3866]

Worst flight of my life was in a PAN AM 747 back in July 1983 from Seattle USA to London Heathrow UK. We sat just behind one of the central galleys and coffee was leaking through the floor so the whole carpet in front of us was saturated and wet through......Hardly encouraging, me at 15 years of age imaging electrical short circuits etc! It also wrecked my fathers jacket which he had put on the floor, but PAN AM did cough up for that.

[@benholtvoigt8135]

I think a more realistic strategy would be instead of 737 to 747 would be regional to narrow body. Instead of 4 flights a day out of 'ville on a CRJ, there would be 2 a day on a 737.

[@Name-ot3xw]

IIRC under current union agreements, regional carriers are limited by both passenger capacity and weight. the CRJ is essentially built to the maximum of both of these specs. If they were to fly a larger jet the crew gets paid the Major's rate.

[@ambulet]

This video makes no mention of the fact that the airlines have benefitted from "free pilots" courtesy of the military. As that decline became evident, the military is hanging on to their investment a lot longer, the airlines didn't step up. Another unintended consequence of deregulation.

[@iamlucap]

Not only is the cost of training expensive BUT, in the USA, the FAA’s extremely strict laws prohibit people of getting FAA Medicals to then become pilots; This has happened to me. Also at Riddle, one of the top aviation colleges, flight costs alone for the first two years is at least 100k a semester but luckily you are paid in hours during your junior and senior year. Also the 1500 hour requirement is limiting to alot of general pilots from finish training just because its so much money to get to that point

[@pctrashtalk2069]

This prediction may seem unlikely but with self driving cars who knows. "Robots in the workplace will be a very popular idea because they will eliminate labor costs. Pilots will be the first to go because pilots are incredibly expensive and their jobs are largely automated already. Let’s say that, in 2015, one airline decides to completely automate the cockpit and eliminate its pilots. Since pilots are expensive, that airline will have a real price advantage over its competitors. That airline will also have far more scheduling flexibility because it will not have to worry about crew availability. After that first airline makes the leap to the robotic cockpit, every airline will do the same thing. Competitive pressure will leave the other airlines with no choice. Southwest Airlines has shown us just how sensitive the airline industry is to lower prices. The complete elimination of pilots from the airline industry will take just a few years. The 66,000 pilots in the Air Line Pilots Association will be out of work. These pilots are people who have spent thousands and thousands of hours training in their chosen profession. They have high salaries as well - up to $250,000 per year is not uncommon for a senior pilot flying commercial aircraft." marshallbrain.com/robots-in-2015

[@thetowndrunk988]

1500 hours takes FOREVER for a GA pilot, short of actually training for the ATP. It’s insanity

[@thetowndrunk988]

@@pctrashtalk2069 I may be completely wrong, but I’d say after the 737 Max crashes, and these recent motorcycle deaths due to Tesla autopilots, fully automated transportation is a lot farther away than people think. Prime example- the one thing that could have very easily already have been automated- railroads- still haven’t even had the first hint of doing so.

[@pctrashtalk2069]

@@thetowndrunk988 I was thinking, they already have unmanned drone aircraft in the Navy that can land on a aircraft carrier. I can't think of a more difficult challenge.

[@chaos770]

@@pctrashtalk2069 but the unmanned done is being piloted by someone on the ship

[@kennedyspace1159]

Yeah with a mix of jumbos and wide body planes like 777, a350 this problems is solvable but it matters on right decisions and chosing right aircrafts on these thin routes

[@Perich29]

The Boom Overture might killed the jumbo like air travels killed ocean liners, jet liners killed the flying boats.

[@Dexter037S4]

@@Perich29 Concorde didn't kill the jumbo jet, so Boom won't either. Boom won't even get past the drawing board.

[@arhampan2480]

@@Dexter037S4 I agree. Boom seems to be underestimating the consequences of their promises...

[@thetowndrunk988]

@@Dexter037S4 agreed. Even if we see a new generation of supersonic travel, it’s gonna be a niche market, just like it was last time. Subsonic wide bodies are incredibly fuel efficient nowadays, and fuel efficiency/costs/environment are EVERYTHING going forward.

[@mingomo]

@@Perich29 lol they will kill nothing their project will get killed nothing more

[@robinmorgenstern9927]

In Asia the A330 and to a lesser extend also the 777 are widely used on short routes through out the continent. There even is a shorthaul variant of the A330, the A330-300R. With reduced MTOW and less fuel capacity and there for less range (5500km). Airbus says the A330-300R equipped with 350-400 seats has about the same per seat cost as the A321(ceo).

[@timevans3562]

No mention of that version on the Airbus website..........

[@robinmorgenstern9927]

@@timevans3562It's a Version of the A330-300. Neither Airbus nore Boeing have all the versions of their aircraft on their Websites. Specifics like mtow and thrust ratings vary between aircraft.

[@muralk3153]

Japan Airlines once used a short range version of the B747 on their heavy sectors. Those SRs are now being replaced by A350 configured for short hauls.

[@supericeman1]

ANA too had the 747SR and 747-400D

[@trespire]

@Mural K NASA & the German space agency ran an airborne telescope project for many years. They heavily modified a short 747. Watching the active stabiliziation of the telesope while in flight is fascinating. The project was called SOFIA.

[@jiroyamada1139]

@@trespire It was retired recently too. :(

[@noroy2]

I travel every week for work, all flights are full any given day, been saying for months now, bring your majesty the 747 back, those flights will be full and should be a great experience. Also remember when I was trying to be a pilot back the 90's, my Dad told me to see how much was flight school at that time, the cost was discouraging and went another direction.

[@jkeelsnc]

In the US I would think the 747 would make sense for very long transcontinental flights between very large airports. New York to LA or Atlanta to Seattle. Also, Miami to San Francisco and things like that. Medium range flights (half way) will not make much sense for a 747.

[@michaelmichniak7287]

This past February I was on a United B777 from Las Vegas to Chicago O'Hare. It was a real treat! The last time I was on a widebody on this route was when United was still flying DC-10's! Also, last week I was on a Delta B767-300 from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta. Originally is was supposed to be a 757-200, but there must have needed the extra capacity because it was packed!! Again a real treat for such a short flight!

[@traustipriv6688]

Hey, I'm a PPL holder, now studying ATPL. My recommendation for you would be to go on a test flight for a school, You can get the feeling of flying and, atleast for myself, after my test flight, there was no turning back!

[@cobyexplanes]

They let you take the controls during a test flight?

[@h2psr581x]

@@cobyexplanes Yes they do. Some flight schools even let you take off.

[@tyrekegordon2492]

@@cobyexplanes yeah the school I did my discovery flight let me do anything I wanted I took off and landed twice so I immediately quit my job and went full time flight school hands down the best decision of my life

[@andrewtaco]

​@@cobyexplanes Yes, they'll let you fully control the aircraft throughout the entire discovery flight from takeoff to landing with the instructor providing help when you need them. Idk about other schools but the one I go to will reimburse your whole discovery flight cost once you reach 15 hours total flight or when you have soloed.

[@jonathanhorne6503]

Many of the 747 airframes/engines are at or near the end of the time and or cycle limits. Most of the major airports have abandoned support for these large planes. Gates, jetways, tooling and the knowledge base on their specialized needs have aged out or nearing so. Those need to be addressed in addition to pilots. I spent my entire career around large aircraft logistics.

[@emmanuelsavage4707]

I remember we were returning back to Minneapolis from Memphis on a Northwest flight. The jetway kept going up and down, so I thought maybe 757 or 767. Then they called the flight number 451, and then this 747-200 came up to the gate, and everyone was at awe!

[@rxotmfrxotmf8208]

I've flown on quite a few types of planes from Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Saab, etc (and even a Tupolev in the 1980s). Nothing beats the 747 flying experience, save perhaps the A380. And here's a tip if you're lucky enough to snag a seat on a A380: take the last window seat on the upper deck. Lots of elbow room due to the curvature of the ceiling, far away from the engine noise, and lots of privacy.

[@vickyburton2434]

The A380, in my opinion, is not as price effective (or beautiful) like the Queen. 747’s can take off, land and be used in many more airports than the A380. 747’s can be manufactured with lighter materials and more efficient engines which would create a plane with better fuel usage. I so envy you for being able to fly these beautiful planes!💗

[@paulsz6194]

About four years ago, Qantas started flying its B747-400’s on transcontinental flights between Sydney & Perth, due to their B737 pilots having reached weekly flight time capacities. This was only a temporary measure, as they were usually deployed on Flights to LAX,SFO , YVR, and LHR.

[@CaptainSmashProductions]

Delta made the mistake of retiring the 777 way too early and bow the have had to postpone 767 retirement until they can get more A330's and A350's. A short range variant with a beefed up landing gear and wing box on an A330 or A350 would be ideal for certain routes worldwide.

[@wastedapathy22]

I was stunned when Delta retired their 777s. I rode on one between ATL and LAX right before covid, and it was one of the nicest flights I’d ever been on. It had just been overhauled and retrofitted with the new Delta One setup with private “suites”, same as on their A350s, and they were awesome. The other passengers and the flight crew were just as excited over the refreshed bird. And then boom, a little over a year later it and the rest of the 777s are gone, and I’m betting Delta would like to have them back right about now.

[@MarcPagan]

Yep, I'm a free market guy 100% .....but, low pay drove me away from an airline pilot gig. $20,000 in the early 2000s to fly a 50 pax jet Added benefits? Constant sleep deprivation, living on the verge of poverty, being home for a max of 3 to 4 days, then commute/jumpseat to one's hub, fly for 2 to 3 days, then commute home, .....wash, rinse, repeat As a pax, for any trip over 2 hours, any wide body wins, including the 747.

[@burtlakebuddy]

Coby, I am 36 flying hours into my Private Pilots training and it is awesome. I ended up buying a cirrus sr20 to train in since my flight school has lots of instructors but not many planes and I fly whenever I want to. I highly recommend you take a "discovery flight" at your nearest flight school. It is cheap and you will know if this is something to pursue. good luck!

[@jimmiller5600]

The local hub airport flight volume is down by over 20%. Yet total passenger load has increased by over 20%. Fewer, bigger airplanes means less airplane noise too.

[@HarrisChoudhry]

I'm sure firing pilots who didnt want to make a certain medical decision despite being healthy and perfectly able to do their job had nothing to do with making the shortage even worse...

[@Saltee323]

Yea, a forced medical decision that had zero benefit and more side effects than you can shake a stick at.

[@mikestone9129]

If you're gonna go for your private ticket I HIGHLY recommend you go to a full time school and not just go to your local airport. It will take you way to long doing just an hour or two a week. Go to a reputable flight school where you'll eat and sleep flying. You'll get your private very quickly. I know it's hard to leave your job for a month or so, but you will save a lot of money and learn more. If you want to go full out and get your multi engine, instrument and commercial than definitely go to a flight academy for about 3 months, you'll also have your instructor ticket so you can start earning and getting paid to build hours. Go for it.

[@lucassheridon9809]

8:49 As someone who has done both part 61 & 141 training, definitely go to a part 61 school. That it my biggest recommendation.

[@YHDiamond]

Eyy this one was my idea! I'm glad you actually made it into a video! One thing I think you missed was that if they have less frequent flights, connection opportunities are lower because they can't do as many banks. Still a great video!

[@cobyexplanes]

It sure was! Appreciate the recommendation this one was super interesting to research ◡̈

[@FlightAirplane]

@@cobyexplanes Thanks. I love when creators use commented ideas!

[@matthewsabio]

I remember I was so confused once… I was on a 2h connecting flight from BOS to DCA on American and we were boarded into a 777. Not quite a 747, but still a widebody. Airlines already use this strategy, they just don’t want to bring the 747 back from the dead, and don’t have enough 777s and 787s for this to be an effective bandaid without the 747.

[@jacksons1010]

There’s no way a 777 landed at DCA. Maybe a 767?

[@markymarknj]

The 747 has four engines vs. the 777's and 787's two. That means at least double fuel and maintenance costs. Why do you think airlines went to twin jets in the first place?

[@sx64man]

in the mid 80s I was fortunate to take a flight on one of the very few TWA 747 SP they had acquired from another carrier (it was a last minute gate substitution for another excellent aircraft L1011 that had a mechanical). I believe that is the best jaunt across the pond I ever had.

[@jamesrobinson6382]

I am taking my college student granddaughter to Germany for Christmas. I booked our flight on a Lufthansa B-747. Now it has been changed to an A-330. Still a nice plane but I wanted her to experience the 747.

[@julosx]

This is unfair. I think I'd cancel the flight re-book another one (I actually did this year).

[@fishyswirlgaming5741]

i think that airbus should make a updated version of the a380

[@imathreat209]

A380 isn't cargo convertible. Why I'd be the 747 likely to be updated.

[@subtodicerat8305]

Like the airbus a380 sp A small a380 with only 2endgines

[@StefanWithTrains3222]

The A380 is actually the more Likely platform likely be updated and with an bigger version Winglets, an longer fuselage and thus an better plane would be more beneficial. And there is already demand for it so that is the difference

[@uwekonnigsstaddt524]

Too bad Airbus didn’t take the A380 into a cargo option, included converted freighters. It has 3 decks, upper, lower, and pax baggage. Lots of potential freight

[@imathreat209]

@@StefanWithTrains3222 wouldn't that be a clean sheet design needing qualifications and testing. Seems like years out. Over what's already done and proven

[@drewhour]

Lower the 1500 requirement rule. That's holding me back right now, I'm almost done.

[@EvaOwen]

The 1500 hour requirement was made after a serious commuter airplane accident in the USA.

[@cobyexplanes]

This is true but studies have also shown it doesn't improve aircraft safety, since most pilots chasing 1500 hours aren't training on jets but instead small planes that don't share much commonality

[@drewhour]

@@cobyexplanes exactly. The 1500 just makes it harder to break bad habits that have been developed. I'll have to re learn at the airlines.

[@davidwright7193]

@@EvaOwen It was a strange response to an accident that involved 2 pilots who both had well over 1500 hours and where the critical factors were pilot fatigue, over rostering and low pay. The same license in Europe only needs around 300 hours but a significant number of those must be on multi-engined, multi-pilot aircraft. The thing that shocks me is that those 1500 hours do not require time in a cockpit similar to those of passenger aircraft and that someone with every bad habit the USAF can teach could go into a passenger service cockpit never having had a Co-pilot sit next to them.

[@jurfvixzlol]

Coby your so right I love like insanely love the 747 and I do think they need it back.

[@dennizkucuk835]

Private pilot and commercial student here. The biggest issue, (in Canada at least) when it comes to education is not the cost of training itself, but the lack of access to proper funding options. I don't come from a wealthy home, so funding is a major issue. I tried to get a loan, but due to my family's income I was denied most student funding. In the end, I was only approved 5k for a 100k course. It's complete garbage! The point is, the problem got this bad because of complacency. Major airlines were used to hiring military aviators because they already had the required hours. (No need to train them out of pocket) Only problem with that is that the airforce significantly increased its requirements for acceptance following the Vietnam war. That left aspiring pilots with 2 options. 1: have absolutely perfect scores in high school to get into the military flight academy. (Or go through with a 4-year uni degree just to apply for a pilot's position. You still need straight A's for this.) 2: cough up the money for civilian training. I don't think I need to explain why most high schoolers don't get straight A's lol All in all, there are two solutions. 1: Have airlines pay for training in full with the trade being a long-term contract. (Most pilots would want the contract anyways) 2: Lower the hour requirement and therefore lower the cost of hour building and training. Note that lowering the requirement is what airlines will probably want to do, as it means no money out of pocket for them, but it means that the pilots in question have less experience. There can also be a healthy middle ground, but as with all major carriers, it's all about money... Sad, considering that if they do decide to pay for pilot training in full, they'll make it back in a month or two, yet they still refuse. {Sidenote, even my provincial training institute said aviation was a dead end because of the cost-to-payback ratio. Of course, I ignored them, but I didn't know the reason. Turns out the Canadian government doesn't view aviation as a legit career. Not my words, the lead flight instructor... Shows how screwed up the system is.}

[@davidcole333]

Hey Coby, I have my private pilot's license. I started on it in 1987, then left to join the military before I had a chance to finish. In 2006 I went back and finished up and passed my check ride. There's a couple of considerations when deciding if you want to do this. First is finances...not only do you need enough to get the training, but you need enough to keep flying once you have your license. If you can't afford to keep flying, then you wasted your money on the training. Second is that you need to have a mission in mind. Know what your "why" is and understand what it is exactly you want to do with your license once you have it. If there is no clear mission, what will happen is you will get the license then lose interest in flying rather quickly because cruising around at 5500 feet and 100 mph in a rented Cessna 172 at $200 an hour gets old really quick. That being said, I strongly encourage you to go after it. It's very rewarding.

[@cobyexplanes]

Thanks for the feedback! Yes getting the finances together is gonna be challenge #1, maintaining the finances could be even trickier. But where there's a will there's a way

[@davidcole333]

@@cobyexplanes When you start flight training, it would be very enjoyable to follow your progress and see you overcome the challenges!

[@pkarandi]

@David Cole, you make an excellent point. About 15 years ago, I decided to get serious about flying, but the costs of CONTINUING the hobby (just as you said) were brutal, no matter what method (renting, buying into a share, etc). This led me to powered paragliding (PPG). I owned my own aircraft, didn't have to pay for storage, and maintenance and gas are minimal. The moment you come to terms with the fact that usually private pilot flying is a hobby, and not a form of transportation, you will realize there are many more economical ways to get fun air time. PPG is the equivalent to wanting to race Porsches, and deciding to get a dirt bike. Not the same, but equally fun (possibly more fun)!

[@DJL0455]

Pay pilots (more) and airline CEO's (much, much less!) what they're really worth. That will fix the pilot shortage.

[@bryanhoyos5543]

dont forget about mechanics. They are running low on the ppl that keep the planes in one piece and we still dont get paid enough

[@cxa340]

Pilots are the highest paid work group in an airline - there just aren’t enough pilots under the current regulations. If the feds really wanted to address the issue they would lower the minimum hours back to where they historically have been, and also allow foreign pilots the ability to obtain a work visa and come to the US under an H1-B scheme and work for US airlines. This would allow the market to stabilize and provide enough pilots, but the pilots union has directly fought against such measures.

[@Johnthedagger]

The greatest plane ever and I use to only fly on them on longer routes until they phased them out. Landed in Narita from San Francisco in a heavy rain with not much wind and unless I hadn't been listening to the ATC chatter on United channel 8, you would not have known the plane had landed it was so soft. 747 was a beautiful travel partner

[@davehue9517]

I've loved my flights to and from Europe and South America on the 747.. I hope airlines continue it's use

[@stephen_101]

There are a few A340s in storage which could be reactivated to add capacity.

[@nickel_las]

Many A340s have only marginally more capacity than A330s though, so it's using exactly the same plane but doubling fuel costs. Not worth it.

[@paulsz6194]

@@nickel_las Depends on how many Business class & premium economy seats they ( Lufthansa) could fill on a scheduled flight. If every seat could be filled, it could still be profitable. I believe Qatar was the last airline to completely retire their A340-500/600 series in 2019. Azerbaijan Airlines stilll flies one or two of them

[@jatterhog]

SAS shouldn’t have retired their 17 year old A340-300s. They could have flown for another 10 years, just like United’s 767s.

[@luiskp7173]

@@paulsz6194 I believe Plus Ultra from Spain still flies a340s to Latin America.

[@paulsz6194]

@@luiskp7173 Thanks! Didn’t know such an airline existed . I will check them out.

[@hughmartin1891]

can you please make a video on turboprops in the aviation market and how they fit in, love the content by the way

[@brian_castro]

It's true what he's saying about planes taking longer load and upload @5:23. Not only is there a pilot shortage, there is also a shortage of ramp agents that are certified to operate cargo "can" loaders. Those are the large moving platforms in the video that lift up pallets and luggage containers, and then move them into the plane. At my station, where I work for one of the big 3 airlines, only about 150 out of 2000 ramp agents are certified to operate these loaders. I'm training tomorrow to become number 151 by the end of the week!

[@JB-bs1se]

I love to see and hear the queen of the skies flying over my house again going to and from DTW.

[@robertlarosejr.1535]

Getting your private pilots license feels like getting you drivers license all over again. Feels so freeing to do that first solo flight. Even more so if you can afford your own plane.

[@thetowndrunk988]

It was my lifetime dream when I finally hit the skies. Still plane shopping, though. Haven’t figured out what plane I really want.

[@aventador8794]

Flying on a 777 between Denver and Chicago here soon. Could definitely see demand for more wide bodies between large city - large city or hub - hub.

[@r0cketplumber]

At 6:35 I recognize that airfield- Mojave Air and Spaceport. I worked there for almost twenty years, building, testing, and even flying on rocket power. Good times.

[@susanlister753]

Hi Coby. I am responding to your request for comments on the question,"should I get my private pilots license". From my early teens I aspired to be a pilot. I joined Air Cadets in the hope that they would stream me for pilot training - but, alas, I was not accepted. They only paid to train 40 private pilots in all of Canada per year back in those days. After finishing my degree and getting gainful employment becoming a pilot was my next priority. A friend introduced me to soaring and it became my obsession for a couple of decades, until my life insurnce company informed me that they would not pay out if I met my demise as a result of a flying accident. As I had acquired a wife and now had 3 youngsters, I hung it up. After hundreds of flights in gliders, I was advised that I would be useful as a tow pilot, so I took power ground school and actually suffered through 10 boring hours of dual time before losing interest. It was both expensive and boring after chasing thermals and practicing short field landings into tiny hayfields. It takes a certain personality type to want to sit in ones seat, flying straight and level (and right side up) and bore holes in the sky. In my case, ppowered flight lost out to gliding. No regrets.

[@petersonnenberg7303]

I'm going to try the magic spoon. Hopefully, it's good. I operate a small air taxi from Canada, and I'd be happy to chat sometime. It definitely isn't wide bodies, but it's still commercial flying.

[@Perich29]

you mean a spoon full of sugar makes the medicen goes down?

[@HarrisChoudhry]

I heard once that its impossible to fly for money (air taxi) unless part of an airline in the US because of all the regulations, have you not experienced that? How profitable is it?

[@AstroGoalHorns]

I was so surprised to see American Airlines flying a 777 from Miami to New York when I was doing a layover there (in Miami) recently but I think this video just explaned ;) why that is happening

[@ronayotte3571]

Re: private pilot license... I have 36+ hours in my logbook towards my private pilot's license and ground school completed. When I had the time, I didn't have the money. When I had the money, I didn't have the time. The airport where my flight school was closed. The hours never expire, and it has been 10+ years since my last flight lesson. You can knock off the rust, but I would need to do ground school all over again, as there have been changes in the FARs.

[@stvpls]

They are still in time to order it and saving the 747 production line too

[@robinmorgenstern9927]

Bringing back retired types is a lenghty process. When Lufthansa retired the A380 in 2020 they also got rid of most of the crews operating them. As of now LH has less than 10 people with active A380 liscences and these people fly other types now.

[@paulsz6194]

Getting rid of them was a stupid idea, they should have kept them and retrained them in their A350 or B787-9 . Not to mention the fact if A380 Pilots get sick, or are on Holiday leave ,they need another crew to fly the plane.

[@robinmorgenstern9927]

@@paulsz6194 Many of LHs A380 crews choose early retirement when LH offered it in 2020. Those who didn't go got moved to other types. This wasn't a problem as no one at the company planned on bringing the A380 back

[@paulsz6194]

@@robinmorgenstern9927 ok, thanks for the extra info.

[@sean2412]

In theory this is a great idea, but filling a 747 is not as easy as filling two a320s. Plus the 747 burns roughly 10 tons/hr compared to 3tons/hr of the a320. The 747 is therefore not profitable at all on short flights especially, since on long haul flights the full economy revenue amounts to just the fuel costs and on short flights the span will just increase and will lead to great losses

[@RealGaryGibson]

Japan has been using jumbos and large capacity aircraft on short haul routes for many years and they continue to do so successfully.

[@matsv201]

747 is actually almost 4 Times larger than 737.. What they do is proboly step everything up one step

[@matsv201]

What tou would do is probobly to shift tge whole fleat one step. The 737 with the 767, the 767 with the 787 and 777, and the 787 and 777 with 747. One benefit of running 747 on medium haul is that they can carry loads of Belly cargo and that maret is really hot. Saving pilots there as well.

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

Hub and spoke. Jumbos to hubs them spoke them out. Been saying that for years.

[@jbenthere627]

My first flight on a 747 was in June 1973. I was 14 years old. Chicago to Miami and that was my only flight on a 747. I would love to fly on a 747 again. One thought is that if a 737 or A320 flight was canceled, everyone knows and has experienced the negative implications. However, if a 747 flight is canceled, now you have 400 pax stuck at the gate or overloading the airlines' web page trying to re-book another flight, or waiting in a long line to have a gate agent apologize for not being able to reschedule or re-book their flight. All this instead of 200. Do the airlines that use 747s have enough to swap out in a pinch, when one is down due to mechanical issues or doing routine maintenance? Do they have enough FAs that are trained to work 747 flights? Are there enough trained mechanics to service the 747s? Do they have 2 A320s or 737s to bring in as substitutes to handle 400 pax for the canceled flight?

[@christiangranum7387]

Getting a PPL-A is certainly a recommendation. I got mine when I was 18. I’m now 35 and not a commercial pilot, but the license is still an important and incredibly fun part of my life.

[@cobyexplanes]

How often do you fly these days?

[@christiangranum7387]

@@cobyexplanes 2-3 times a month or so. I don’t own my own plane, and renting a C-172 is getting a bit expensive these days. I’m thinking about becoming a member of my local airport’s pilot’s club, and that should make it a bit cheaper though.

[@paladin0654]

2:00 "Pilots are getting older..." wow, didn't know! The problem with the shortage is lack of recruiting and training because until COVID the airlines were fat, dumb and happy: they didn't want to expend resources for the future. Recruiting and training should be an ongoing program. 747s are NOT the way to go. Two engine wide bodies would be a much better option: 767, 777, 787, A330.

[@julosx]

Twin engines aircraft can't do anything and everything. That's why there's still quad jets pretty much everywhere.

[@ntdscherer]

@@julosx There are zero quad jets operated by US airlines, and fewer and fewer by anyone.

[@jeffpalmer5502]

Yes. He seven 47-8 is the most economical airplane to fly even now when fully loaded!

[@jonfilipa2478]

I have a private pilots license and am working on building my own experimental airplane. From a training standpoint if you’re looking to save money you likely won’t be flying the latest 172 with a modern dual glass cockpit. Which is totally fine. If you’re looking to get your time and your ticket you don’t need that anyways. An iPad and Foreflight - or similar app - will get you a ton of info in the cockpit and will largely negate the need for certified glass panel avionics.

[@fensterlips]

Please pursue your private ticket. It will be fulfilling personally, though boring at first - be ready for that - but it will be rewarding and maybe put you on track for what I’m pretty sure is your final goal. In addition it will add a lot to your KZbin content. It’s a worthy goal. Good luck we’re behind you.

[@Synergy7Studios]

Is it worth the time and money based on what the airlines pay and the schedule they have you work? I doubt it.

[@markybear92840]

Its an interesting thought on a quick fix. You brought up the big 'red elephant' in that airports cannot handle all these larger airplanes. Not sure when it happened when the US Govt raised the minimum number of hours to qualify from 750 to 1500 (DOUBLED)....which really throttled the pipeline for new commercial pilots. If the government would get out of the way and possibly lower the number of hours back to 750...or even 900...could allow more pilots into the available pool....just saying.

[@gumbyshrimp2606]

250* to 1500

[@EvaOwen]

If I recall correctly the min. hours to qualify was raised after a serious commuter airplane accident.

[@davidcole333]

I don't feel like 1500 hours of giving flight instruction in a Cessna 172 is going to better prepare a potential new airline hire for the right seat of a regional jet any better than would a far lower number of hours would.

[@EvaOwen]

@@davidcole333 My assumption is that some of those hours are on a more complex airplane.

[@cobyexplanes]

Studies have actually shown so much time on a small prop like that actually makes it less safe since you get so used to the procedures of flying small planes

[@markbrown4442]

You'd be better off with A380's. If you're going Jumbos, they have a better fuel burn, more modern avionics and easier to train pilots

[@colino72]

But very few airports can handle them…

[@ArmyofSeaturtles]

still high maintenance and operating costs, most airports cant support them ,

[@cobyexplanes]

@@colino72 ^

[@jaybee9269]

But they’re uglllllly…

[@danielmeador1991]

The 747-8 is slightly more modern but is more efficient

[@chrisshelswell3222]

The KZbin algorithm is all over the place. I’m getting some great content all of a sudden that’s 2 years old. You’ll get there it just might be a wait, but you’ve great and interesting content. If the money for your work starts rolling in a year you’ll be happy you stuck at it :) Definitely don’t let it get you down and give up!

[@cobyexplanes]

lol the algorithm can be a funny thing

[@geraldscott4302]

I got my private pilots license back in 1981, at age 22, for a total cost of just under $1500. That's fifteen HUNDRED, not fifteen THOUSAND. And that included everything, even the little plastic and cardboard "flight computer" you had to buy. I was able to get my license in the minimum number of hours required. Just like driving and riding a motorcycle, flying just seemed to come naturally to me. Sadly I lost my license after only 2 years, because I could not afford to keep my logbook current. I have always been a fan of the 747. I was 8 years old when the first 747 flew. I was in awe of its size and beauty. It was an engineering masterpiece. I've only flown on one once, but that made me love it even more. Several years later I was able to sit in the flight deck of an older 747 that had been in storage for many years, and I believe was eventually scrapped. Compared to the Cessna 150 and 172 I did my flight training in, this was the starship Enterprise. Like I said, it was an older aircraft, and had a real panel, not the video game crap they have now. I would not enjoy using a panel like that. While I am no longer a licensed pilot, I have a couple of friends who are, and own planes. So I am still able to fly small aircraft once in a while, with one of those pilots. But I have not flown on a commercial airline since the TSA came along and ruined everything. Unless it is a serious emergency, or unless the TSA goes away and the airlines get their act together, which is not going to happen, I have no plans to ever fly commercially again. Airlines used to be a wonderful thing. I still remember Southwest Airlines commercial "you are now free to move about the country" But that is no longer the case, and likely never will be again. Flying on a commercial airline is not only no longer fun and enjoyable, it is an absolute nightmare. And will only get worse. What started as a luxury for rich people, then became commonplace for almost everyone, is probably on its way out.

[@jaybee9269]

You don’t actually need a college degree to fly a plane. I think they use it to measure your character-they want to know you can finish something.

[@Synergy7Studios]

They don't deserve to be that picky with what they pay, lol

[@spaceace1006]

IMHO: Boeing should consider bringing back a variant of the 747SP as a Tri Jet! 2 of those new GE engines on the wings and a more standard Turbofan in the tail. The tail engine could be used for takeoff then just idled back while cruising.

[@Freeborn88]

One of the problems you would face with bringing back these 747s would be the pilot training for them. You need to find simulators for the 747 so pilots can be trained on them. There are companies that like to have their own sims like United, Delta, and American; they own the sims outright. Once those jets left their fleets, so did the sims and the training equipment that is also associated with flight training. So, it might be a bit difficult to find them as sims are a specialty item and only really come around so often.

[@angelarch5352]

6:22 I agree-- and EVERY day now is pretty much a new "extenuating circumstance" lol :)

[@ZedNinetySix_]

Just proves the 747 was perfect from the start. Trying to make anything "better" than the 747 was always a lost cause.

[@Andygarrett357]

Why can't retired / under 65 pilots be brought back? And why can't an over 65 fly the right seat for a few years as long as they can pass the flight physical and proficiency training? This is another solvable problem if the FAA, pilot unions, and airlines focus on it instead of woke politics. Where's your pretty smiling face, Coby?

[@ArmyofSeaturtles]

seniority, recertification etc .... also a lot of pilots and mechs who retired or got laid off during covid either died or relocated, and just don't want to recertify, some even went and fly freight in fear of another mass lay off due to another pandemic, some even quit flying forever, i met a lot of jumbo pilots now flying boxes who used to fly for BA AF and QF

[@MPVC1]

Over 65's can fly, just not internationally.

[@EvaOwen]

@@MPVC1 Over 65s cannot fly scheduled commercial airlines in the USA but they can fly for charter companies.

[@MPVC1]

@@EvaOwen oh right. In AUS they can also fly 121 ops domestic. I thought it would be in the US too.

[@victorydaydeepstate]

The 747 has that beautiful B17 look

[@briangriffiths1285]

Good to hear that Emirates are talking to Airbus to design a replacement to the A380. For those who haven't flown one (my friends in North America) they are the most comfortable plane ever. I first boarded a SIA flight in Nov 2007 at Heathrow, one of the first A380s in service. I was greeted by a crew member upstairs in the back of the plane, her first comment was it is just so quiet... and so it has been on over 70 flights. I had to complain of a faulty coffee machine buzzing in the galley disturbing me once. And for the cabin crew, no more serving liquids to stop dehydration all the time. The Dreamliner is good and so is the A350 but still not as quiet.

[@danharold3087]

Maybe they should look at increasing the mandatory retirement age. Base it more on health.

[@jessiegeorg8438]

They do in many countries in the world, it's stupid that they do in America. That said, a lot of what the USA does is stupid from an outsiders view

[@davidcole333]

Unfortunately, pilots are dealing with the FAA on this issue, which means that common sense has no place in the decision-making process.

[@xyzaero]

most guys mentaly amd physically are done with 60 and barely make it till 65. You habe no idea how much work it is for a co-pilot to fly with such old captains. On the one hand they are chilled out and let tou do whatever you want as long as it is within regulations, but on the other hand these guys are slow and miss a lot. Most guys start to rapidly deteriorate between 48 and 55. Raising the age would be a disaster, but it is coming for sure.

[@TonyYuEvangelism]

Whoever thought it was a good idea to fire pilots for not taking the poison shot, in the middle of a pilot shortage, deserves to lose his job.

[@halbouma6720]

Remember these are the same companies who blew over a previous decade of profits on stock buybacks/executive bonuses/etc rather than save anything for a "rainy day" . They were broke within weeks of the pandemic starting. Its no surprise they continued to act without any foresight.

[@tomtucker8863]

I flew on the 747 a lot in the 70's. Loved it. It was a great plane, lots of room, quiet and safe. I was fortunate enough to work for a company that flew all its employees first class. The 747 really shined at that. Bringing it back would certainly be welcomed by me, even if I did have fly coach. Three was lots of room in coach. Very comfortable.

[@ntdscherer]

I feel like all planes had a lot more space 40 years ago though.

[@tomtucker8863]

@@ntdscherer They did. Now it's like your tied up in a cocoon. I glad I don't' do all that business travel anymore. Besides, the stewardesses now are not nearly as nice to look at now. Was tht sexist? Too bad.

[@erikig]

8:32 What cheeky livery that Nokscoot is sporting 🦆😆😆

[@gh6r]

People will be kicking themselves in few weeks if they miss the opportunity to buy and invest in Crypto as it's retracing....BE WISE

[@magsteel9891]

I really liked flying on the second floor of the 747-400

[@ncc74656m]

I remember the old 747 SRs that Northwest used to use in domestic flights. Wouldn't mind seeing them come back from time to time.

[@peterkiviat9969]

The real answer is quite simple. Higher air fares. In 1972. An Eastern airfare from New York to Miami was $99.00 each way and a cross town cab ride was $2.50. A hot dog was 60 cents. The cab ride now is 15 bucks, the hot dog is $2.75 and you still can get the plane ride for the same price (though the process is more convoluted).

[@doogleticker5183]

Just do it, man. You aren't getting any younger!! Best wishes, DT.

[@mikercflyer7383]

It would be fantastic if they recall the Queen’s

[@chrismaness1261]

United does a mix of wide-bodies and narrowbodies between hubs and their PW 777s are configured for domestic use. I flew on one between Denver and Houston last week, and flew a 767-300 between Houston and Chicago early in the pandemic

[@PacificDark]

Anyone else drooling over these beautiful 747s? That Air France livery is pure art.

[@trader891]

Amen to that. It's a joy passing through Frankfort Airport. Lufthansa 747-400's and 747-8s all over the place.

[@ReidForrest]

I started on the PPL journey about a year ago, at age 47. I toured a small local flight museum, and there was a school at the same municipal airport. After a couple of days I decided to take a discovery flight. I signed up a few days later. I'm just slightly pre-solo and I have spent a good bit of money, but even if I never got the PPL I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

[@paoloviti6156]

I have been travelling for many years on the Boeing 747 and personally I always liked this airplane and I'm not alone thinking this way. I always felt that it was a good airplane with very good flight characteristics and packed with powerful engine and and I always felt secure despite flying through heavy snow snow storm, twice, and strong winds jolting the Jumbo almost like a toy. Out of ignorance I think it it should be more expensive to maintain four engines than two engines aside the massive size of the airplane. But you do have very good points because I knew very well how expensive is to obtain a pilots licence that is ridiculously very high thus creating the shortage of new pilots that I didn't realise that it is becoming a serious problem. I think you summarised very well the problems the airline companies are facing now. Thanks for sharing this very interesting video 👍👍👍 By the way I just subscribed because I liked the video very much!