If I remember right. Didn't TWA manage ET till they went out of business.

Statistically, at least, it is clearly "more prone to crashing" than other planes. Maybe that's a fluke, but, like how the Concorde went from safest to least safe statistically after just one event, the stats are grim for this plane.

JT610 was less than five (5) months ago, no final reports or opinions have been released. There have been some interim findings, on which action has been taken (e.g., training related to the MCAS), but the entire investigation needs 12-18 months, at minimum, to play out.

Do you have reason to believe it hasn't?

I think you're conflating a few issues here. A faulty AOA sensor or pitot tube isn't so much a 'flaw' as it is a failed instrument (to the extent 'flaw' suggests something inherent to the design), at least with respect to a potential cause of the JT610 case, and such a failure would be a problem in any aircraft, not just the MAX. It would be a remarkable coincidence if that were implicated in the ET crash, but it certainly cannot be ruled out.

As for the MCAS system, I would argue it's not flawed at all, and in fact is a safeguard. But when the system is functioning as designed after being fed faulty data, and the subsequent human intervention is also incorrect, those are links in the chain of events that end in catastrophe.

It's a bit of a strawman. in JT610 the airframe should not have been dispatched as it was not airworthy because the faulty AOA sensor was likely not remediated/tested. My question would be if this would occur in the US airlines cited. You stated no, of course not. As such, the scenario as played out in the air in JT610 would likely have not occurred because imho US carriers have much higher maintenance standards/procedures that are followed which contributes to their safety as demonstrated by this scenario.

So you state 'flaw'. Can you state what this flaw is?

When 2 new planes using new flight software crash within months of each other, then I hardly call someone questioning the safety of this plane "mass hysteria".

Has this ever happened before in modern times? That 2 brand new planes of a certain new model crashed within a year of the new model release?

Yes, depending on what "modern times" are. In fact, it was not uncommon for new planes to experience teething problems, and there have numerous incidents that raised red flags...in some cases, ending the lifespan of the subject AC (eg, DeHavilland Comet.) In other cases--DC-10s, for example-- fatal mistakes were corrected and the AC served for decades.

Difference in 737 and 737-Max.
 

What are the difference, or is there one, in 737 and 737-max planes? How do I know when I look at my booking. I am on a 737-700 from ORD to BUF later today.
Trying to understand what routes UA flies these planes and How to tell

I am avoiding the plane for now. Twice in just a few months is scary.

There is no 737 MAX 7 (yet). The only 737 MAX UA flies is the 737 MAX 9, which will appear in the flight status as "Boeing 737 MAX 9."

ETA: The 737 MAX 7 is expected to enter service later this year. It hasn't been as popular as the MAX 8 and MAX 9 due to capacity differences.

Yes. In pretty much every era of commercial aviation, too. The SSJ-100, A320, 727, 707, de Havilland Comet and others all had, for various reasons, multiple hull-loss and fatal accidents within relatively short periods of their initial service entry. Others, like the Electra, DC-10 and 737, had clusters of nearly-identical incidents (owing to design defects) later in their respective service lives. Even the 787 had well-publicized design issues that led to several significant incidents, fortunately with no loss of life.

The fact that it seems to be a highly unusual occurrence in this era is a fantastic development and a testament to how far the industry has advanced in terms of safety and technological progress.

When it comes prior to knowing any of the relevant facts, I disagree.

Not to be pedantic, but the first 737 MAX 8 was delivered on May 22, 2017. There were actually no crashes within a year of the new model release.

So if it says 737-700 on my flight for today, that is NOT the same type of plane in question on these flights that crashed?

You are not on a MAX plane. MAX is the newest gen 737; whereas aircrafts such as 737-700, 737-800, 737-900, 737-900ER perceded the MAX (M8, M9, M10).