Scorpio From Belgium, joined Oct 2001, 4934 posts, RR: 46 Reply 2, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 2317 times:
Originally, what we now know as the MD-80 was named the DC-9 Super 80. Later the name was changed, first to just 'Super 80' and later to MD-80. AA keeps on referring to them as 'super 80s'. So there's no difference between the super 80 and the MD-80.
FlagshipAZ From United States of America, joined Jan 2001, 3419 posts, RR: 15 Reply 3, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 2310 times:
No, no difference at all. It's just a moniker that AA applied to its MD-80s. Just as they named their other aircrafts AstroJets, LuxuryJets, AstroLiners & LuxuryLiners. I believe in the past Douglas originally named the MD-80s first the DC-9 Super 80, and AA simply carried it over onto their fleets. Regards.
"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." --Ben Franklin
Md80spirit From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 2250 times:
There is nothing super about the 80 or difference. But they are work horses.
Trickijedi From United States of America, joined May 2001, 3266 posts, RR: 5 Reply 5, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 2227 times:
There is, however, a difference between DC-9's and MD-80's.
Its better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air than be in the air wishing you were on the ground. Fly safe!
L.1011 From United States of America, joined Aug 2001, 2209 posts, RR: 10 Reply 7, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 2196 times:
I think a Super 80 can only be an MD-81 or MD-82. They switched to MD-8X at the MD-83 unveiling.
BTW, Did AA call the ex-Reno MD-90s get called Super 90s?
N312RC From United States of America, joined Aug 2000, 2678 posts, RR: 18 Reply 8, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 2202 times:
Douglas started work on the "DC-9 Super 80" before Mcdonnell came along. After Mcdonnell merged with Douglas did the naming scheme switch to "MD". When you look at AA timetables MD-80 flights are coded "S80" which stands for Super 80. It's just American's name for them.
Chrisair From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 1796 posts, RR: 4 Reply 9, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2109 times:
L1011,
Yes, When American took up the Reno M90s, they were called "Super 90" same deal with the M87, "Super 87"
BR715-A1-30 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 10, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2084 times:
I have an old magazine ad that says "McDonnell Douglas Quietly introduces the DC-9 Super 80" and I also have one that says "This new baby doesn't scream"
So yes, it was called the DC9-Super 80.
Not to get off topic, but were the MD-90s ever called DC9-90 or MD-90-30
Trintocan From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2000, 3192 posts, RR: 4 Reply 11, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 2050 times:
To answer the preceding question, all MD-90s produced are MD-90-30's. There were plans for further stretched versions called MD-90-50 and -55 but those never got off the drawing boards. They are never called DC-9-90s except perhaps colloquially. China built 2 MD-90s and these are MD-90-30Ts (T for Trunkliner).
Mirrodie From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 7422 posts, RR: 65 Reply 12, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 1972 times:
Let me tell you about the AA Super 80!
It was super today when we pulled a go around at LGA with 30 feet left to touchdown.
Regarding its name, the Super carries over from the Douglass name.
Forum moderator 2001-2010; He's a pedantic, pontificating, pretentious bastard, a belligerent old fart, a worthless st
AA717driver From United States of America, joined Feb 2002, 1566 posts, RR: 14 Reply 13, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 1957 times:
I thought AA called the ex-Reno planes "White Trash". Or maybe that was just the occupants...TC
AAR90 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 3410 posts, RR: 50 Reply 14, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 1857 times:
>I think a Super 80 can only be an MD-81 or MD-82. They switched to MD-8X at the MD-83 unveiling.
AA calls any AA MD-80 series aircraft a "Super-80."
>BTW, Did AA call the ex-Reno MD-90s get called Super 90s?
Not officially, but AA timetables did list them as "S90" aircraft originally. Internally ex-QQ aircraft were referred to as R80 and R90 to differentiate them from the standard AA configured S80.
>I thought AA called the ex-Reno planes "White Trash". Or maybe that was just the occupants...
Both. Initially a derogatory term AA unions tried to apply to anybody working at RenoAir. All of the ex-QQ folks I came to know adopted the term as a form of endearment. They were proud to be "White Trash" and even prouder to fly only the "White Trash planes." Personally, I was quite proud when my co-pilot once returned up the jetbridge at RNO to announce that we couldn't go flying. Seems there was an equipment change and "there's a silver bird down there.... WE only fly the White Trash." [emphasize on _WE_]
*NO CARRIER* -- A Naval Aviator's worst nightmare!
Boeingfan From United States of America, joined Aug 2001, 385 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 1840 times:
AA calling the MD-80 a Super 80, is more accurate at least then the 707 label they put on their Boeing 720's. Marketing, go figure.
As for the "white trash,", I have never heard an AA staffer refer to Reno Air equipment with that slang. Nor any slang when refering to TW equipment. The TW are denoted differntly for employees, due to differences in configurations when ordered from the manufacturerer.
The Super 80's are making money, mostly paid for, and with "more room through out coach" are the most comfortable domestic airliners in the sky.
Wilax From United States of America, joined Jun 2002, 465 posts, RR: 3 Reply 16, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 1822 times:
does the tailcone shape (needle nose to flathead) correspond to DC - MD changeover?
LMP737 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 17, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 1812 times:
Wilax:
No, it was a design change that occurred in 1986 to improve fuel burn. When the first MD-80 flew with the old style tailcone the DC-MD merger had already occurred.
I've worked with several ex-Reno Air employees and I never heard the "white trash" comments. We all got along very well actually. I will say this however, the Reno MD-80's and MD-90's were a tad worse for wear when we got them.
FBU 4EVER! From Norway, joined Jan 2001, 998 posts, RR: 7 Reply 18, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 1756 times:
Actually,Douglas merged into McDonnell as early as 1967.
The DC-9 and DC-10 designations were kept as these planes had been designed by Douglas alone.That's the reason the MD-80 started out as the DC-9 Super 80.Later on,it was decided to call it the MD-80 as it was sufficiently different from the "classic" DC-9 to warrant a new marketing name.
It was also decided to market the DC-10 development as the MD-11 iso. the DC-10-xx or DC-11.
In the early part of the 90's,SAS leased several MD-80's to Reno for a period.When they were returned,they were trash,hardly ANY maintenance having been performed during their stay with Reno.It took our maintenance department an enormous amount of time and effort to get the planes back in shape for further service.Reno? "White trash",indeed!
AA717driver From United States of America, joined Feb 2002, 1566 posts, RR: 14 Reply 19, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 1699 times:
I think the "White Trash" comments were confined to the flight crews. Thanks for the comments, AAR! A couple of my ex-Air Wisconsin friends ended up at RNO.
I'll send you a "I was acquired, not hired" button when they come out! TC
AAR90 From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 3410 posts, RR: 50 Reply 20, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 1681 times:
>I will say this however, the Reno MD-80's and MD-90's were a tad worse for wear when we got them.
Nice understatement! I never flew the R80s, but each of the R90s had their own name....... and personality.
>I think the "White Trash" comments were confined to the flight crews.
Pretty much, but then that's who I spent most of my time with. It was also used (with very big grins) by those who interacted with the pilots & FA's. Especially the maintenance folks who I knew oh so well. They sure got to know me....and what I was willing to accept/fix.
>I'll send you a "I was acquired, not hired" button when they come out!
Don't think I'd qualify (hired, not acquired --at least for now). OTOH, my family still has a preference for their "Pan Am, the airline that made United #1" t-shirts (a bit dated, but still good looking).
*NO CARRIER* -- A Naval Aviator's worst nightmare!
Redngold From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 6907 posts, RR: 51 Reply 22, posted (10 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 1560 times:
Nobody has mentioned this yet, but the MD-80 is called a DC-9-80 with MD-80 in brackets after it, in FAA and NTSB documents. In other words, it looks like this: DC-9-80 [MD-80]
And remember the family goes:
DC-9-10
DC-9-20 (few)
DC-9-30/40/50
DC-9-80 series [MD-80 series]
MD-87
MD-90
MD-95 planned before merger, became Boeing 717-200
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A couple of my ex-Air Wisconsin friends ended up at RNO.
TC
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