In a message dated 12/17/2003 7:21:43 PM US Mountain Standard Time, regaviationqueen@xxxxxxxxx writes: > That's too bad about the LH flights. One of my > greatest sources of amusement and amazement when I > worked at Mesa was to watch the LH A340 take off in > the dead of summer. That puppy took *every* inch of > runway to take off in the dog days of August in PHX. The A340 is kinda like a Diesel 8 Series 61 or 63...if those engines were cranked up any higher, they'd fly apart. A four engined rocket it is not. When BA used to fly their B747-400 out of Phoenix in the summer, the departure was always after 9pm to take advantage of lower temps. The record for chewing up the most runway was held by Cactus when they flew their 747-200s to HON with full pax and fuel. Unfortunately JATO tanks were never an option on earlier B747s! And speaking of Cactus...the ALPA pilots get to vote AGAIN on the contract they turned down by five votes just two weeks ago. A few minor gives and takes, but no more money. Results by 12/31 - it'll pass as provisions of the govt guarantee limit what Cactus mgmt can offer. RT Simpson Phoenix fan of political incorrectness...Merry Christmas everyone!