DL 1949
MCO-ATL
Scheduled: 2:15 P.M. - 3:45 P.M.
Actual: 3:51 P.M. - 5:18 P.M
L-1011-1
N728DA
Even after hanging at gate 71 for hours, the Wal-Mart bought balloons and streamers seemed festive and fresh. TV cameras were set up, amateur and professional photographers jockeyed for the perfect shot of the podium with “Delta 1949” listed. Among the chattering in the gatehouse were the two sons of Captain Randall L. Schmoyer, who flew for TWA and US Airways Express. Flowing praise for their dad came out of their mouths as the media gleefully watched and smiled.

It was now 1 P.M., and I received word that 1949 would be delayed an hour. First speculation was the dreary weather in Orlando, well demonstrated by the water spray of the jet blast coming form the Trent engines of the departing 777 N866DA. However, it was revealed that the L-1011 had some mechanical problems at ATL and would be coming in about an hour behind schedule. This was fitting and ironic for this grand old lady. Even after the departure time had been changed, people still milled cheerfully around, seemingly unaware of the delay. At about 2:50, an announcement was made by the gate agent that flight 349 had been cleared to land and would be arriving shortly. After a few other aircraft landed, the majestic TriStar rumbled down the runway with thrust reversers engaged and flaps and spoilers extended, to the cheer of the crowd. As the L10 pulled up to gate 71, an eerie calm came over the gatehouse, and then, in a wave, camera shutter clicks began emanating from the crowd lined up at the windows. As the RB.211s spooled down, passengers disembarked from the jetway, each one receiving a commemorative poster. The time had come.

Boarding began at about 3:30, with the usual first, Medallion, coach order being utilized. Frustrated gate agents screamed into the P.A. system, telling the crowd to spread out and move back to allow people to board. As I reached the door, I stopped to take a picture of the MCO employees signing the exterior of the aircraft with permanent (at least until Victorville) ink markers. I was sternly told that “signing is for employees only.” After fighting my way through the masses, I settled into 36A. The seats slowly filled, a Brazilian girls’ tour group here, Airliners.net people there, Delta employees elsewhere, and then the usual Disney family crowd. After 3 frustrated announcements, the lead FA finally got the other FAs to confirm doors locked and armed. Announcements were made to inform the passengers about the significance of the flight. The exasperated FA I had met this morning didn’t even try wasting her breath telling a camera-wielding man to sit down. It didn’t matter, as from the moment ship 728’s doors were closed, the cabin was transformed into a zoo.

As we pulled away from the tarmac, the crowd of proud Delta employees watched, with a lone wave. That lone wave quickly erupted until the entire crowd waved and snapped photos. The taxi to the runway was soothing, with every turn on the taxiways gracefully executed by Captain Schmoyer, accompanied by the soundtrack of the Rolls Royce engines spooling up and down and the brakes groaning, yearning retirement. At 4:07 PM, ship 728 turned onto runway for the last time, and began her takeoff roll. Gear retraction was unusual - applause accompanied the groan. Climbout was graceful, and once we reached cruise altitude, Delta Horizons programming was started. The atmosphere was party-like, with passengers milling around, chatting and taking more pictures. Flight attendants made the rounds for the last time, with Delta Fastbreak service, enhanced for the special occasion with champagne. Looting of the aircraft was also in effect, as snack mix, bottled water, and brand new safety cards disappeared into black holes known as bags. A depressing sight was the Brazilian group, with window shades as well as eyelids closed. The vice-president of <insert correct department> at Delta made a toast to the retirement of the aircraft.

After cruising for about half an hour, the tired ship began her descent into Hartsfield. The ship extended her dirtied, yet rigid spoilers into the hot and humid Georgia air, creating an assuring rumble that confirmed that drag was being created. The chimes rang 4 times, and announcements were made, everything secured for landing afterwards. We approached from the east, and made a graceful right turn onto approach for runway 26R. As we approached Atlanta and our speed dwindled, our attitude notably increased. Gears, slats and flaps were all extended at the very last minute, followed by the whine from the 3 engines, desperately consuming air to offset the increased drag. The L10’s famed Direct Lift Control was demonstrated, with the spoilers reaching up in down in unison. A minute later, we floated past the parking garage, past company traffic, and set ourselves gently onto the concrete below. The spoilers sprung to life, and the thrust flowed forward, creating a deep roar that assured us that yet another Delta TriStar had brought us safely to our destination, as it had done for 28 years. Of course, it was only appropriate that a celing panel fell as a result of the touchdown.

As the motors whined and flaps came up, the lead FA read connecting gate information, and ended her announcement with, “On behalf of the 80,000 Delta Employees and your Lockheed L-1011 TriStar group, we would like to thank you for joining us in a part of aviation history.” As we turned the corner into gate T-1, Atlanta Hartsfield fire trucks sprayed water arches over us, almost like a futile attempt to clean off the bird for the very last time, but yet honoring her and her captain for the last time. As the deplaning process began, you could easily tell the aviation junkies from the Mouseketeers. Many stayed aboard to take pictures of the now empty cabin, along with the unusual places to take pictures, such as the lavatories. Many of us lined up to enter a galley lift to head downstairs into the lower galley to take pictures. While waiting, I was allowed to sign the exterior of the aircraft. Galley carts filled the larger than expected area, with Vinium wine glasses lining the tops of carts. “No Cookies” stickers were plastered over the faded cyan walls, and the various crevices were grimy with age. The flight attendant instructed people how to operate the lifts, (hold the two switches to the “up” position simultaneously) allowing us to lift ourselves back up to the main cabin.

The flight attendants posed for pics, and people wandered into the cockpit for more snapshots. Flight attendants desperately scurried about the cabin, collecting any remaining safety cards by the dozen. After a long while in the aircraft, we began the journey up the jetway and into the crowd of well-wishers. A commemorative certificate signed by the captain as well as a farewell poster were handed out as we entered the gate house. A reception was held for Captain Schmoyer, and he was presented with a “nice” version of the poster. Missing out the last few signed posters, I waited around the windows with other enthusiasts for the plane to push back. We were treated to that scene a few minutes later, along with the engines spooling up one last time. She gracefully inched forward...and braked...and inched forward...and braked...and finally accelerated out to the taxiway, destined for the Technical Operations Center for a final farewell. She would make her final flight the next day.

On November 9, 1979, ship 728, N728DA, l/n 1173, a Lockheed L-1011-1 TriStar, was delivered to Delta Air Lines. On July 31, 2001, ship 728 operated the last revenue TriStar flight with Delta Air Lines, as flight 1949, from Orlando to Atlanta, ending a career of over 21 years. On August 1, 2001, ship 728 flew for the last time as flight 9930 from Atlanta to Victorville, CA. She departed Atlanta at 10:23 A.M. from gate A2, and arrived at Victorville at approximately 11:37 A.M. local time. The 23 minute delay at Atlanta was caused by a shortage of safety cards; photocopies had to be made to augment the 20 or so cards left. Ship 728 will live on inside the Operation Blessing L-1011; Delta has donated ship 728 to be used for parts on the flying hospital.

Farewell, Lockheed L-1011 TriStar

1973-2001


[This message has been edited by a330300 (edited 08-01-2001).]

[This message has been edited by a330300 (edited 08-01-2001).]

[This message has been edited by a330300 (edited 08-01-2001).]