Exactly. Had the interiors been updated with a nice F class, E+ and new seats throughout with individual IFE screens at every seat a-la the 777, updated lavs, new carpeting, basically new everything inside and a new coat of paint on the outside, they'd have been just fine and I doubt anyone would be complaining about them. Hell if NW can keep their DC-9's going for near 40 years with updated interiors, nothing wrong with anyone else flying a refreshed 20+ year old aircraft IMHO. But, that isn't meant to be.

Au revoir UA 762.