A380?

[Slaughter]

P.S. I am in Africa now as a Marine Security Guard for one of our embassies.

Thank you for serving our country, Marine!

[K PhaNTOM]

You can pay for that laptop with all the taxes the government doesn't take from your checks

[Furryappleseed]

As big as the plane was, I still had my post-takeoff scares. The combination of maneuvering and throttle changes just messes up my equalibrium. I feel like the plane is going too slow, or pointed towards the ground, or banking too hard... I have no fear when its time for landing and the plane is rocking back and forth through turbulence and wind though.

I was a little worried when we landed in Paris in the fog. Normally you land towards the edge of the airport on the end of a runway...not that day. Through the fog I can see us passing by the airport, still some 100 feet in the air. We landed safely but it was so strange to be flying so low, so far "into" the airport.

@golden: That school is all about dropping folks. Spent almost the whole time stressed out about how one could be dropped. As for how I am liking it, its cool. I am still in shock at how third world Africa is better and so much worse than what I was expecting. I had a strong "Ignorant American" feeling for the first two weeks as all my assumptions got wrecked.

@Slaughter: Still humbling when I hear that. I am just doing my part.

@Phan: Uncle Sam still takes his from me. Whatever conditions there are to be tax exempt, I don't meet here.

[Apache Warrior]

Glad to hear from you Furry. Congratulations on making it through the course. And, as Slaughter says, thank you for serving.
Apache

[goldenfooler]

As big as the plane was, I still had my post-takeoff scares. The combination of maneuvering and throttle changes just messes up my equalibrium. I feel like the plane is going too slow, or pointed towards the ground, or banking too hard... I have no fear when its time for landing and the plane is rocking back and forth through turbulence and wind though.

I was a little worried when we landed in Paris in the fog. Normally you land towards the edge of the airport on the end of a runway...not that day. Through the fog I can see us passing by the airport, still some 100 feet in the air. We landed safely but it was so strange to be flying so low, so far "into" the airport.

@golden: That school is all about dropping folks. Spent almost the whole time stressed out about how one could be dropped. As for how I am liking it, its cool. I am still in shock at how third world Africa is better and so much worse than what I was expecting. I had a strong "Ignorant American" feeling for the first two weeks as all my assumptions got wrecked.

@Slaughter: Still humbling when I hear that. I am just doing my part.

@Phan: Uncle Sam still takes his from me. Whatever conditions there are to be tax exempt, I don't meet here.

Make sure you do a Roth IRA when you can. There is some special exception on them for the military.
I don't think you pay taxes when you are deployed in a hazardous area.. like Afghanistan.
Where do you want to be stationed when you get a choice.

[Duke{CLR}]

Good to hear from you Furry.

[K PhaNTOM]

That was going to be the only reason I'd ever join the army. Taxes exempt status. You just ruined it for me.

[goldenfooler]

That was going to be the only reason I'd ever join the army. Taxes exempt status. You just ruined it for me.

Nah the only reason is to be able to stay in for 20 years and then pension out. IF you were looking for monetary gain.

[{CLR}geneSW]

Nah the only reason is to be able to stay in for 20 years and then pension out. IF you were looking for monetary gain.

Not even true anymore, or did you miss where congress cut 1% of all retirement pay for retiree's? Yes, I do mean those who had already retired (did their 20+ and got out). They eventually reversed it, but it just goes to show that not even our retirement that was promised to us is safe. After this contract (my second one btw) I'll be pulling chocks at 10 years.

[juneau]

Hi guys

I flew on one when I went from D.C. to Paris. It was Air France and I didn't particularly feel like I had more room than any other coach flight I have been on. Downside was that I like window seats so I can lay on the wall, but the way the wall curved meant that the window and wall were not close to me at all . Just a large, awkward space. Super, super quiet was my biggest take away. Compared to the A330 i took to Africa, huge difference.

Maybe we had a lively pilot, because he was making turns like we were in a regional jet. I am sure all large planes can do this, but my experience is they tend to maneuver a lot slower than this guy was.

P.S. I am in Africa now as a Marine Security Guard for one of our embassies. I left my gaming stuff behind in states and am now left to stalking the forums and playing whatever intel hd4000 will allow...until I decide on console or gaming laptop.

Thanks for that Furry. Good to see you're checking into the forums too!

[juneau]

Flights on the a380 to HK booked.

[jaspurr]

Yes, I have flown in it a few times now and the dream liner.

Overall I preferred the A380 but I think it comes down to the client finish/ layout. Windows in Dreamliner are longer so you don't need to stoop to see out but in reality how often do you do that. The Dreamliner I flew with was Thomson. I upgrades seats which were very comfortable but the centre arm console came out beyond the edge of the seat so when the people in front reclined you were effectively trapped and had to climb over the seats next to you to get out. Another silly design flaw were that on a number of occasions I got my finger trapped getting the tray or TV (cant remember which) from the arm rest. It hurt like hell. Never really noticed the quieter engines etc. as advertised.

The A380 even in economy is very comfortable, wider seats, longer leg room and plenty of areas where you can stretch your legs.

This is my personal opinion only, both planes have a great future and the competition between Boeing and Airbus is health for the business. Even the Chinese re trying to compete with them but I would not fly on a Chinese made aircraft. I worked out in Asia a lot the past year and the Chinese made equipment has a tendency to fail well before expected such as 2 tonne lifting strops that fail at 750kg. We banned any Chinese made safety or lifting equipment. Buy cheap means you buy twice but you could kill someone in the process too.

Maybe I should not have written that until I get my new Chinese Visa on Monday

[jaspurr]

Flights on the a380 to HK booked.

Flew to HK on A380, real comfortable flight. You staying in HK or going into China?

[juneau]

Flew to HK on A380, real comfortable flight. You staying in HK or going into China?

I'll be staying in HK, again. 4th visit since 2010.

[jaspurr]

I'll be staying in HK, again. 4th visit since 2010.

I am flying directly into Shanghai next week. Not sure what I am on yet, probably a 777 with KLM.