Yes...it really is. Rides smooth, overpowered as all get out, and in 30 years of service the 757 fleet is one of the safest in history of the modern jet fleet.

My most memorable 757 flight was SJO - IAH on CO in 2006. I was in 1A and my little bro was in 1B (pre-BF). As we taxied out to the active we pulled into the run up area and held. After a few minutes of sitting the captain come over the intercom saying we were staying put for a few minutes while we got a new clearance/routing due to t-storms in IAH. He also said to expect a steep departure. He wasn't kidding.

After a AA and a few LACSA birds passed us by, we lined up on the active and applied the on brakes. Similar to a SNA departure full power was applied, brakes were released and we were off. The PIC got the 757 in ground effect, built up a little more speed and then pulled straight up. We literally took off like a rocket. My other brother was in the terminal taking a later DL flight. When I talked to that brother later he said our departure was one of most impressive things he's even seen - it sure felt like it to sitting in the first row of F.

When we arrived in IAH, I stuck my head in the cockpit and thanked the flight crew for the F-15 departure. The captain said, "did you like that?" with a big grin. I said hell, yes!