Name User

No fume events to really speak of. Airbus seems to have the vast majority of them.

As far as the a/c goes itself, it tends to be more complex in presentation (ie the overhead panel) but much more simple in design (systems & components).

I would only bid it if the base you want has it, you'd be more senior on it vs Airbus, and the trips on it are your cup of tea. Otherwise go Airbus and never look back.

MtoL

No there isn’t.

aa73

There's plenty about the 737 that isn't horrible, in fact Boeing got it right with the NG. Probably one of the nicest flying planes I've flown in my career. Been on it 10 + years 7000+ hours, have zero desire to change (until I can hold WB that is.) 737 is old school and very hands on, which makes it the absolute best and most fun plane to fly in the AA fleet. Win win for me. And yes I've flown it on 5 + hour trans cons and have zero complaints about comfort.. it's really a non issue.

Jumpseated plenty of times on the Bus. Other than a comfy cockpit honestly I have zero idea on what's going on up there most of the time. Just has what appears to be a very strange operating philosphy. Throttles don't move even when engine thrust is all over the place. Who's actually one doing the flying? the sticks aren't linked together. (This was a huge factor in the Air France 447 crash, btw.) Heck, even some of the light switches are backwards. It just seems like a very backwards design meant to take the pilots completely out of the loop.

One of my good buddies in CLT finally gave up on Bus Captain and bid back to 737 CA, couldn't take it anymore. Said that half the time the plane just does its own thing and you're just along for the ride.

But I digress.. OP, don't fret about what others here say about the 737. It's a fine machine and an absolute blast to fly. Especially the Max

FNGFO

The plane doesn’t do its own thing. More than likely your buddy didn’t understand its logic, and, in his defense, it’s not taught overly well here. It’s big baby if you understand the control logic and phase of flight and a mystery if you don’t.

I enjoy the bus, but it’s still the flower of the Atari Pong generation.

Fly one or the other. WGAF? Bid bus if you’re a large human, spend money on decent headsets either way, fly the plane, collect check and go home.

Wink

737 does more carribean and latin america. Personally, I prefer that over domestic.

My friends on the bus make it seem like we have more shorter pairings as well. Haven't actually looked that up on APA since I don't plan to switch over.

Sliceback

It flies better, is better in turbulence, and performs better than a 321. The displays/FMC are better. Crosswinds, even on takeoff? Boeing hands down. It doesn't have the funky speed brakes/flaps issue of the 321, it doesn't have the funky Airbus FMC logic that prioritizes an airspeed restriction over an altitude restriction (it tries to give you an altitude bust if it's struggling to make a speed/altitude constraint).

airbusflieger

Agree with the turbulence ride and performance and FMC for the descent planning. Boeing did a great job with the new wing. Airbus should have put new wings when releasing the NEO's and XLR's, and legend has it the algorithm for descent planning is proprietary and protected which is why AB descent planning gets challenging for the FMC.

Pilots struggling with making restrictions is a training and fleet culture issue. After flying Boeings for 18 years, I apply the same techniques to the Airbus fleet and I don't have to ride the speedbrakes from TOD to the 1000' stable call... and belive me, I'm no gift to aviation... I just took my exprience with me. The Boeings would give you the altitude restriction at the expense of the airspeed restriction, so pick your poison on which a pilot likes to intervene. Most prefer the making the altitude restriction as being fast on an airspeed restriction can be blamed on wind... just ask SWA about that LoL.

But every aircraft has its quirks that need managing. I'll take a step climb and paying more attention to my descent planning for the creature comforts and safety of an Airbus over a Boeing.

It is all personal preferences.

Best advise was already given; Pick your base and the schedule that suits the pilot best.

MtoL

What’s funky about the speed brakes on the 321?

GrossNavError

I usually have AP on 500 ft to 500ft.

JulesWinfield

When heavy, VLS shoots up if you use speed brakes to slow down, but without them, you can’t slow to flap speed quickly. You have to use better planning and deploy the gear early sometimes if you screw it up.