So I just got back from San Francisco, where I had the opportunity to join United for their annual Fleet Week Employee Appreciation Event. There’s no better venue for a plane nerd, as it takes place at the SFO United maintenance base just off the end of runway 28L/R. It was an all day event, and even though the weather wasn’t that great, it was still a lot of fun.

There were all kinds of things to do. My favorite was just watching the heavies taking off from runway 28R just a couple hundred feet over our heads. There was also a reconfigured 747 to tour, or more importantly (to me), to walk around. It’s so cool to be able to do a walk around of a 747 to see just how massive of a beast it is. They even had a slide deployment demo.

Then there was the plane pull, which was an Airbus 320 this year (as opposed to the 737 they had last year). The FlyerTalk “team” pulled the plane with ease (at least as an observer), and I believe scored second place.

Anyway, thanks to United for inviting FlyerTalkers to attend once again. It’s a nice way to get some fresh air and be plane, er, plain nerdy.

Event grounds

Pictured above is United’s new coach configuration, which will be referred to as “Economy Minus,” due to extensive customer feedback, of course

A320 for the plane pull

747 slide deployed

Puts things into perspective….

Isn’t she beautiful?