Delta DC-9-51 Exterior WALK AROUND and Cabin Walk Through @ BWI (N779NC)

[jonahair747]

Did the Pilot just let you down there??

[cduluk]

@jonahair747 Yes indeed! I was talking with the whole crew (flight attendants, captain and F/O) after everyone else de-boarded, and they asked me if i'd like to go down on the tarmac. I couldn't believe they asked me but i couldn't say no! They were literally the nicest people i've ever met- they went above and beyond to make my girlfriend and myself feel like VIP's. Post 9/11, this was a very VIP experience indeed! I'll definitely remember this day for as long as i live.

[pdtfo]

@jonahair747 Actually there was a BWI station employee that had escort authority on his SIDA badge. The video shows a ramp challenge and proper credentials were displayed by the station employee.

[cduluk]

@pdtfo i thought that was pretty cool that they had the ability to let me down there, it was truly one of the best experiences of my life. I feel so saddened at the fact that passengers aren't usually allowed to see what i got to that day- it was quite extraordinary to see the plane from that angle, one that just took me 30+ thousand feet into the air at 600mph. I really hate post 9/11 security issues- not that they're in place for safety, just that they "have to" exist in the first place

[commodorefan2]

I love the DC-9's. That was what I started out flying when I first got hired at Delta in 1997. I got one last ride (as I posted on the other video) on the DC-9 on New Year's Eve 2010 as I was on the first leg of a trip to Jacksonville, FL

[cduluk]

@commodorefan2 Are you a pilot for Delta? If so what plane do you fly? I spoke to the pilots of this DC-9, the captain started on the 727 and later went to the DC-9, while the F/O was relatively young (he's the one taking me down to the tarmac) who flew turboprops and just got on the Dc-9 4 years ago... It was nice to speak with both of them, as they have so much experience!

[commodorefan2]

@cduluk (Continued)

faces seeing the cockpit for the first time.

As for the DC-9, the first was built in 1965, and I was born in 1970. In those first few years, I couldn't help but ponder that thought that this aircraft at my mercy is older than I am. And it's no wonder they're being retired, the youngest will be 30 years old this year, as production was discontinued in 1982.

[cduluk]

@commodorefan2 ah that's really neat! I'm going to be flying on my first 757 on March 19th, a Delta flight from MCO-ATL, before my ATL-PVD leg on the MD88. And i agree it's a shame passengers don't get to visit the cockpit and such since 9/11- do you know how much the pilots can "bend" that rule? Theoretically, could the crew of the DC9 i flew on to the this video get in trouble for what they let me do? I hope not, they really made my day- heck, lifetime! I was so appreciative!

[commodorefan2]

@commodorefan2

Yes, I started flying commercially in 1994 at ASA flying the Embraer EMB120 Brasilia, and was hired at Delta in 1997 after our set of twins were born. I currently fly the 757 out of LAX. It's a shame that after 9/11 we aren't allowed to take kids to the cockpit anymore. That was what got me into aviation, when I was 4 the FA invited me to the cockpit of a brand new DC-10 as we were flying to San Francisco. I always did that, as I loved the wonder and fascination on those kids'

[N747PA]

I'm glad you got to fly on a DC-9. The one good thing about being 45 years old is that I got to experience 707s, BAC-111s, 747SP and Concorde. How much variety is there today? Nothing but 737s and A320s...........

[cduluk]

@N747PA I wish i was older, i didn't get interested in aviation until a few years ago, much too late to enjoy planes like the 707, 727, even the DC-10... What i would give to be able to ride on those.

[rocantr]

Unbelievable!!! This is the ultimate experience for any enthusiast (aside from being allowed to land the plane)... Thanks for sharing!

[kcarr03]

this is incredible, you're so lucky!!!!