From St Louis. Can't tell you how much I miss those days even tho I was just a kid. I remember getting on a TWA 747 in STL and stepping off in France. I'm hard pressed now to get to Denver on time.
Born & raised in St. Louis until age 12. My dad used to fly out of Lambert (as a passenger) on TWA Super "Connies" Constellations, TWA DC-7's or 8's, then TWA turbo-props, (giving away my age, lol) before the 707's started service. As a kid, loved sitting in the parking lot along Lindbergh (west side of Lambert) and watch all sorts of aircraft land, including McDonnell (later merged with Douglass and then even later bought up by Boeing) F-4 Phantoms (pre-Vietnam era) that were mostly built in St. Louis. Wonderful memories!!
I can hear the pilot saying 'we've been cleared for takeoff. Flight attendants take your seats'. I never, ever felt safer than I did when flying on TWA. I never worried. Best pilots. I am proud to have worked for this airline. Understatement.
One of my most memorable flights was back in the early 80's on a relatively new TW 727 non-stop LAX-OKC . We had a strong tail wind and ground speed was way above 600mph. When we reached the Texas panhandle there were a group of supercell thunderstorms and the captain flew around several 50,000ft cells. Amazing flight on a beautiful bird. I can recall the details 30 years later, like it was last week!
There was something about these old aircraft and the variety that made it a pleasure to visit the airport. It even inspired me to become an air traffic controller... Nowadays, you seen one you seen them all...
Iron Horseman I was a regular plane spotter at Manchester Airport UK and the smoke and sound of the old BAC-11's still lingers with me today. And you're right. The old 737-200's were amazing and I was just twelve when I got the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of a Brittania 737. Really miss those old birds.
Ahhh, thank you for sharing these wonderful Lambert Field memories. My first flight was out of Lambert Field in August, 1968 on an Eastern Airlines DC 9 14 to EVV. I was eight years old and remember it like it was yesterday. I flew out of STL so many times on TWA, Ozark, Frontier, Britt Airways, American, Southwest, Eastern, and Air Midwest/TWA Express. It was a plane viewers dream. My favorite viewing spot was at the 94th Aerosquadron Restaurant on the north side of Runway 30R. Back in the 80s and 90s you could sit on their patio and watch the planes touchdown and takeoff, even wave at the pilots as they taxied past. The restaurant, now torn down, even had headphones at the table so that you could listen to STL ATC as you dined.....nothing like it!! I miss it so very much. Now, STL is a dead end destination, with only Southwest using it as a hub, it's so sad. It was a roaring place prior to TWA's departure. Thank you so much for posting this great video.
It amazes (and thrills me as a Missouri Native) that 19 years later, TWA is still the talk of the town. All you have to do is search out those memorable 3 letters, and you will come up with a treasure of information. TWA must have had, and still does today, the biggest fan-base of any airline!...."leading the way...TWA". =) I think if American re-branded half their flights back to TWA and did a secret study, they would find far more people wanting to fly the Trans World birds =) Especially if they had those amazing T-Dub emplyees.
My Dad flys the Fokker 100 and 70, it’s really sad to see all those beautiful 727s landing for the last time after the second 727 touched down as the camera shoots past the tail of that T tail that is the Fokker I can’t tell which no one can because u need to see the length of the aircraft
I worked at the FBO (Midcoast Aviation) 88-92 next to the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant. The smell of prime rib would drift down to the flight line at night. Counting the L1011’s across the field was a daily ritual. 7 was the max I ever saw at one time. And 2 747’s. Best time of my life.
Wow planes queuing up for takeoff. Don't have that problem in STL now. Different sights now a days. I work Ramp for SWA there. Would be wicked to see all the different planes. Just kindof sad hearing from all the ex TWA guys on how things used to be.
I remember on US67/ Lindbergh Avenue there use to be a parking lot you could watch planes from. My Grandpa use to take me there as a kid. That's how I got into aviation. We went back once after 9/11. We were greeted with SWAT Teams and rifles. Besides that incident those were some of the best child hood memories I had with my Grandpa. Awesome to see you got some footage while you still could!
Cool vid. Every morning we used to watch a TWA 727 power back out of one of the old gates at SAT. What a racket, cleaned all the littler our from under the jetway very well though.
Woah , , , thanks for the great memories. I flew on the 727-200 close to 100 times in the late 80's - early 90's on Air Canada - shuttling weekly between YYZ and YUL. Bird was tough as nails. I sense that was when pilots were pilots and computers were big boxes in offices. :-)
Oh my God! I have flown on that Rams painted 727 @ 3:05 ! I can't remember from where to where, but I can't forget that paint scheme. I remember thinking "they take their football serious here" and it stuck in my head. Wow, a blast from the past. Great video.
I worked for TWA for 36 years, and I was I retired before American Airlines bought them and the name Trans World Airlines, so they could never come back. It was a tragedy. I won't fly American either.
+Sandra K. Marshall Sandra I could not believe my eyes when I saw the tail numbers on the TWA 727. That was the very airplane I took my captain's rating check ride on back in 1984. I also flew for Trans World Express that was a commuter feeder based out of Orange county Ca. It was a sad day when American took over. TWA was a great airline and their training program followed in the same. The cabin and flight crews were great people . Un like Delta ,American and United. Crandell ( the ceo of American) was ass#%$* that came up with the age 60 rule to get rid of the senior pilots in the higher pay scale to increase the bottom line for stock holders. I wonder how many great pilots were forced to retire that still had many good years left? This was age discrimination big time. Hope you enjoyed your career as much as I enjoyed mine. Now I operate under part 135. Not airliners but it's still flying. Have a great day.
It's central location in the US, a lot of hubs in the 90's were in a central location CVG for Delta,MEM for Northwest,STL for TWA, IND for ATA list goes on and on...
At this point, TWA, was in terrible financial shape but their customer service was still very good and their employees treated passengers well. I really missed flying them when they folded into American. By the way, the way American treated the legacy TWA employees was just cruel. That is why, to this day, I will not fly American.
That TWA jumbo jet exploding (from static near the center fuel tank) after takeoff from New York, probably doomed a good airline into oblivion. Sad deal. Kind of like the two Concorde jet crashes leading to no more Concorde flights. Always thought, Trans World had eye-catching decals with those long red stripes running from almost nose to tail.
Thanks Colin.. I was very proud to have worked for TWA ( at JFK) for 14 years. I did my best to offer the best service right until the end. Fortunately, AA has not really treated me that badly... But my heart was REALLY with TWA.
@@djjim01 in my humble opinion, after reading countless reports in which the NTSB was found lying, and the fbi and cia never having conducted a crash investigation, I, I conclude that the plane was brought down; that’s my opinion and I’ll go to my grave believing this.
An old friend of mine used to work for America West out of PHX, then US Airways when it bought out America West. Then shortly after he became an American Airlines emoloyee after that purchase, he quit. I won't fly AA either.
My friends and family flew them at least 14 times and every time we had a great crew. And they also had lots of leg room that you did not have to pay for. We flew US Air also and they had a lot of leg room now they shove you in like sardines.
The B727/100/200 and the DC9/MD80 were the backbone of our short/ mid range routes complemented by the B747/100/200/SP and the glorious L1011 for Transcontinental and International routes FYI- The bulk of the DC9 and MD80's came from the merger with OZARK.
Great shots of a great plane. When was the video for this taken? In the 1990"s? This is when STL was a major hub for TWA and AA. Looks like the cameramen had access to the airport grounds for these shots.
and especially the t.w.a. B-727scheduled service in Berlin, west Germany from 1987. for us there what a lovely way to fly to the free world. i remember the t.w.a. Slogan "NOW THE BEAR =BERLIN FLIES T.W.A. wonderful memories and wonderful Crews operating to berlin
The 727 doesn’t have visible clamshells like the DC9/MD80 or 737-200. There are reversers, but they are contained within the back of the engine casing.
Imagine that! This video is 9 years old and I somehow just stumpled unto it. My only experience with TWA was in the early part of summer 2001 (just before 9/11). I flew from IND to PDX with a stop on STL. It just so happened that both legs of the journey were on the same plane, an MD80. I don't know if TWA still had 727s in their fleet, but all I could see there were MD80s, 717s, and one 757. In the seat pouch was a pamphlet that made some kind of mention of the American Airlines buyout. Then just a short time later, I found out that STL would no longer serve as a hub. It's such a shame considering the new runway that had just finished completion. It must have been devastating for the investors to have paid out all that money for the new runway just to see about 90% of the traffic desert them.
Damn I miss TWA & the 727. 727 was the best medium range commercial jet, and back in the day TWA had the hottest stewardesses! (Pre-PC flight attendants)
That 1st plane came in a little hot and bounced. Yes TWA was a lot better than American Airlines. Lived St.Louis county for a long time.The 727-100 was a great craft to fly on. Miss the 727 and TWA, a great bunch of folks.
727's could fly at .9 mach speed (if needed) with that third jet engine in the middle. Mach 1 is the speed of sound. I noticed all the "bounce" landings, too. Apparently, reducing jet thrust on these aircraft to reach landing speeds was easier said than done. 737's (that replaced the 727's) only have two jet engines and usually touch down with little or no bounce.
I think that it has to do with the weight of the engines in the rear of the aircraft. As you land, lift decreases and weight increases, so in a landing configuration it can get more difficult to remain stable with that weight dragging on the rear of the aircraft. You tend to 'plop' on the ground and bounce back up.
Pre-hush kit days! The sound of those JT8D-17s, when jets had balls. Makes the hair on my arms rise. Awesome video. Thank you.
From St Louis. Can't tell you how much I miss those days even tho I was just a kid. I remember getting on a TWA 747 in STL and stepping off in France. I'm hard pressed now to get to Denver on time.
Born & raised in St. Louis until age 12. My dad used to fly out of Lambert (as a passenger) on TWA Super "Connies" Constellations, TWA DC-7's or 8's, then TWA turbo-props, (giving away my age, lol) before the 707's started service. As a kid, loved sitting in the parking lot along Lindbergh (west side of Lambert) and watch all sorts of aircraft land, including McDonnell (later merged with Douglass and then even later bought up by Boeing) F-4 Phantoms (pre-Vietnam era) that were mostly built in St. Louis. Wonderful memories!!
Used to sit and watch this off Lindbergh Avenue. Back then, it was a real show. Miss those days.
yes and they looked like they could touch the top of my head....lol
You're very welcome, thanks! :)
I can hear the pilot saying 'we've been cleared for takeoff. Flight attendants take your seats'. I never, ever felt safer than I did when flying on TWA. I never worried. Best pilots. I am proud to have worked for this airline. Understatement.
God! I miss the 727. The sound. the smell. the smoke.
Miss TWA miss the 727. Beautiful bird. Miss those sweet n smokey JT8Ds too
One of my most memorable flights was back in the early 80's on a relatively new TW 727 non-stop LAX-OKC . We had a strong tail wind and ground speed was way above 600mph. When we reached the Texas panhandle there were a group of supercell thunderstorms and the captain flew around several 50,000ft cells. Amazing flight on a beautiful bird. I can recall the details 30 years later, like it was last week!
Geets78....Great video that brings back some wonderful memories, thanks for sharing!
There was something about these old aircraft and the variety that made it a pleasure to visit the airport. It even inspired me to become an air traffic controller...
Nowadays, you seen one you seen them all...
Very true. planes nowadays are all cookie cutter crap. I miss the '27, old '37-200 and all the planes from yesteryear.
Iron Horseman
I was a regular plane spotter at Manchester Airport UK and the smoke and sound of the old BAC-11's still lingers with me today.
And you're right. The old 737-200's were amazing and I was just twelve when I got the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of a Brittania 737.
Really miss those old birds.
The livery is missed at different airports around the world.
T-Dub's last paint scheme was GORGEOUS, especially on the (one) L-1011 that got repainted. Terrific video! Thank you for sharing this.
This brings back memories, i fueled almost every plane on this video when i work at the airport. Ahhh the good old days!!
My dad was an air traffic controller in STL around that time.
Ahhh, thank you for sharing these wonderful Lambert Field memories. My first flight was out of Lambert Field in August, 1968 on an Eastern Airlines DC 9 14 to EVV. I was eight years old and remember it like it was yesterday. I flew out of STL so many times on TWA, Ozark, Frontier, Britt Airways, American, Southwest, Eastern, and Air Midwest/TWA Express. It was a plane viewers dream. My favorite viewing spot was at the 94th Aerosquadron Restaurant on the north side of Runway 30R. Back in the 80s and 90s you could sit on their patio and watch the planes touchdown and takeoff, even wave at the pilots as they taxied past. The restaurant, now torn down, even had headphones at the table so that you could listen to STL ATC as you dined.....nothing like it!! I miss it so very much. Now, STL is a dead end destination, with only Southwest using it as a hub, it's so sad. It was a roaring place prior to TWA's departure. Thank you so much for posting this great video.
What an outstanding post, damn..
It amazes (and thrills me as a Missouri Native) that 19 years later, TWA is still the talk of the town. All you have to do is search out those memorable 3 letters, and you will come up with a treasure of information. TWA must have had, and still does today, the biggest fan-base of any airline!...."leading the way...TWA". =) I think if American re-branded half their flights back to TWA and did a secret study, they would find far more people wanting to fly the Trans World birds =) Especially if they had those amazing T-Dub emplyees.
My Dad flys the Fokker 100 and 70, it’s really sad to see all those beautiful 727s landing for the last time after the second 727 touched down as the camera shoots past the tail of that T tail that is the Fokker I can’t tell which no one can because u need to see the length of the aircraft
Great stuff, thanks JP.
I worked at the FBO (Midcoast Aviation) 88-92 next to the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant. The smell of prime rib would drift down to the flight line at night. Counting the L1011’s across the field was a daily ritual. 7 was the max I ever saw at one time. And 2 747’s. Best time of my life.
Was based there,early 90s. What a time!
Wow planes queuing up for takeoff. Don't have that problem in STL now. Different sights now a days. I work Ramp for SWA there. Would be wicked to see all the different planes. Just kindof sad hearing from all the ex TWA guys on how things used to be.
The 727's were magnificent birds, and a quiet cabin too. They don't make 'em like they used to!
Love the UPS DC-8's in the background!
Lived in Chesterfield area growing up. Remember having to pause our conversations outside because of the engine noise!! Great time in aviation!!
Their last livery looked so good. I wish they were still around.
I remember on US67/ Lindbergh Avenue there use to be a parking lot you could watch planes from. My Grandpa use to take me there as a kid. That's how I got into aviation. We went back once after 9/11. We were greeted with SWAT Teams and rifles. Besides that incident those were some of the best child hood memories I had with my Grandpa. Awesome to see you got some footage while you still could!
Bravo! Absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much, I loved TWA and the 727.
Love the 727 - these girls just wanted to fly !
Looking at these videos and rememebering standing at the airfields plane watching, alot of pilots used to bounce and float the 727 series aircraft.
Impeccable video for its day. Some of the best 727 footage we have in action. Missed opportunity on the TriStar though. MDs too.
Oh sweet at 3:06, actually flew on this aircraft in '97 from STL-LAS
Last of the "heavy metal" airplanes. I'm glad I had the chance to work on them in my career as a mechanic.
My favorites....could watch them all day!!! Now I get somewhat bored...no variety in aircraft anymore.
My first flight ever as a kid was to St. Louis and I remember seeing these planes since TWA had a hub at St. Louis
That last one was real smooth! Most looked like they had a little bounce to them. Great Video!
Yes. I worked at TWA and guys from PAA came over. Later, TWA was absorbed by AAL.
oh this does bring back memories of mine i remember getting on a TWA 757 with my dad to go on a business trip. i miss those days :(
Cool vid. Every morning we used to watch a TWA 727 power back out of one of the old gates at SAT. What a racket, cleaned all the littler our from under the jetway very well though.
STL is my home airport. I still look for remnants of TWA. I really miss them as I do Ozark Airlines. :(
Nice, so relaxing.... I'll be building one of these 727 kits on my channel soon, great images for me to use as reference. Thanks. Have a great day
They used to fly the DC 9 and 727 into Toronto long time ago till American took them over still miss them best paint job
very nice Video, i love the B727... Thanks !!
Now this was a beauty of an airplane! She has real character, not like the cookie cutter twins of today at all.
Woah , , , thanks for the great memories. I flew on the 727-200 close to 100 times in the late 80's - early 90's on Air Canada - shuttling weekly between YYZ and YUL. Bird was tough as nails. I sense that was when pilots were pilots and computers were big boxes in offices. :-)
Oh my God! I have flown on that Rams painted 727 @ 3:05 ! I can't remember from where to where, but I can't forget that paint scheme. I remember thinking "they take their football serious here" and it stuck in my head. Wow, a blast from the past. Great video.
Miss Those.Such Good Looking & Great Sounding Planes.They Were A Joy To Travel On Too.
Beautiful.
My favorite jet airliner.
I see the shots of landing aircraft in the opening was from the parking area on Lindbergh north of the airport
All that beautiful 727 action! I miss those 727 take-off and landings!!!
Very cool video...nicely done
Brings back many good memories! Great video!!!
This is like taking a time machine back to the old good times!
I worked for TWA for 36 years, and I was I retired before American Airlines bought them and the name Trans World Airlines, so they could never come back. It was a tragedy. I won't fly American either.
+Sandra K. Marshall Sandra I could not believe my eyes when I saw the tail numbers on the TWA 727. That was the very airplane I took my captain's rating check ride on back in 1984. I also flew for Trans World Express that was a commuter feeder based out of Orange county Ca. It was a sad day when American took over. TWA was a great airline and their training program followed in the same. The cabin and flight crews were great people . Un like Delta ,American and United. Crandell ( the ceo of American) was ass#%$* that came up with the age 60 rule to get rid of the senior pilots in the higher pay scale to increase the bottom line for stock holders. I wonder how many great pilots were forced to retire that still had many good years left? This was age discrimination big time. Hope you enjoyed your career as much as I enjoyed mine. Now I operate under part 135. Not airliners but it's still flying. Have a great day.
Sandra K. Marshall really that time was the gold time of aviation but now is not nice
@ It was changed to 65 from 60 in 2007.
Very beautiful plane and nice video!
It's central location in the US, a lot of hubs in the 90's were in a central location CVG for Delta,MEM for Northwest,STL for TWA, IND for ATA list goes on and on...
Real neat - great footage! Thx for sharing :-)
At this point, TWA, was in terrible financial shape but their customer service was still very good and their employees treated passengers well. I really missed flying them when they folded into American. By the way, the way American treated the legacy TWA employees was just cruel. That is why, to this day, I will not fly American.
I will not fly on American either. They are very, un-American. Terrible carrier.
That TWA jumbo jet exploding (from static near the center fuel tank) after takeoff from New York, probably doomed a good airline into oblivion. Sad deal. Kind of like the two Concorde jet crashes leading to no more Concorde flights. Always thought, Trans World had eye-catching decals with those long red stripes running from almost nose to tail.
Thanks Colin.. I was very proud to have worked for TWA ( at JFK) for 14 years. I did my best to offer the best service right until the end. Fortunately, AA has not really treated me that badly... But my heart was REALLY with TWA.
@@djjim01 in my humble opinion, after reading countless reports in which the NTSB was found lying, and the fbi and cia never having conducted a crash investigation, I, I conclude that the plane was brought down; that’s my opinion and I’ll go to my grave believing this.
An old friend of mine used to work for America West out of PHX, then US Airways when it bought out America West. Then shortly after he became an American Airlines emoloyee after that purchase, he quit. I won't fly AA either.
I just love the oldies!
Thanks again.
My Home Town Airport!!! Amazing Footage!
Good planes and memories
My friends and family flew them at least 14 times and every time we had a great crew. And they also had lots of leg room that you did not have to pay for. We flew US Air also and they had a lot of leg room now they shove you in like sardines.
♫your gonna like us! TWA♫
do they have stiff suspension or is there some other reason why all of them bounce after initial touch?
Took a lot of flights on the 727! Miss it !
take me back!
USAir had some nice 727s
Thanx for this great video Justplanes. You've done it again ! Do you have a similare video of Pan Am 727's and maybe 747's ?
The B727/100/200 and the DC9/MD80 were the backbone of our short/ mid range routes complemented by the B747/100/200/SP and the glorious L1011 for Transcontinental and International routes
FYI- The bulk of the DC9 and MD80's came from the merger with OZARK.
Yes, I've been to STL many times. I must have misunderstood the remarks section when it said KANSAS CITY.
Great shots of a great plane. When was the video for this taken? In the 1990"s?
This is when STL was a major hub for TWA and AA.
Looks like the cameramen had access to the airport grounds for these shots.
Late 90's
and especially the t.w.a. B-727scheduled service in Berlin, west Germany from 1987. for us there what a lovely way to fly to the free world. i remember the t.w.a. Slogan "NOW THE BEAR =BERLIN FLIES T.W.A. wonderful memories and wonderful Crews operating to berlin
Was it TWA's policy to use reverse on the center engine only? I can hear an engine come up on landing , however no clamshells deployed.
The 727 doesn’t have visible clamshells like the DC9/MD80 or 737-200. There are reversers, but they are contained within the back of the engine casing.
I flew the L-1011 and 757 if them...was an awesome experience and First class service in board
Looks like the 90s - given the American Fokker F-100 taking off in the background at the start.
Imagine that! This video is 9 years old and I somehow just stumpled unto it. My only experience with TWA was in the early part of summer 2001 (just before 9/11). I flew from IND to PDX with a stop on STL. It just so happened that both legs of the journey were on the same plane, an MD80. I don't know if TWA still had 727s in their fleet, but all I could see there were MD80s, 717s, and one 757. In the seat pouch was a pamphlet that made some kind of mention of the American Airlines buyout. Then just a short time later, I found out that STL would no longer serve as a hub. It's such a shame considering the new runway that had just finished completion. It must have been devastating for the investors to have paid out all that money for the new runway just to see about 90% of the traffic desert them.
Amazing aircraft’s I miss twa, America west, real American eagle Saabs continental, us air prop flights
Great to see this. B-727's forever, I wish!
My first ride was on at 7:27 water great airplane that was
Damn I miss TWA & the 727. 727 was the best medium range commercial jet, and back in the day TWA had the hottest stewardesses! (Pre-PC flight attendants)
MrCzechers I hate pc. Downfall of our society.
That 1st plane came in a little hot and bounced. Yes TWA was a lot better than American Airlines. Lived St.Louis county for a long time.The 727-100 was a great craft to fly on. Miss the 727 and TWA, a great bunch of folks.
Carl Icahn drove TWA into the ground
all t-tailed rear engined jets...cool ;)
3:05 a Trucker's Jake Brake wanted in on the action Lol
Truly sad what American Airlines turned St. Louis into. I remember when it was thriving and packed. Now it's a ghost town.
Justin Hopkins what do u mean
I wonder if there's any foitage of the swa 727s out there.
Why does the 727 bounce more on landing than other aircraft?
Am I seeing things, or did every single 727 bounce upon landing? What's with that? Answers appreciated.
727's could fly at .9 mach speed (if needed) with that third jet engine in the middle. Mach 1 is the speed of sound. I noticed all the "bounce" landings, too. Apparently, reducing jet thrust on these aircraft to reach landing speeds was easier said than done. 737's (that replaced the 727's) only have two jet engines and usually touch down with little or no bounce.
ahh, TWA the airline that dident lose my luggage.
nice plane :-)
I think that it has to do with the weight of the engines in the rear of the aircraft. As you land, lift decreases and weight increases, so in a landing configuration it can get more difficult to remain stable with that weight dragging on the rear of the aircraft. You tend to 'plop' on the ground and bounce back up.
Love seeing the 27s!
And they did Brian James.
I don't see Kansas City in any part of this video. Where is it?
A trick I learned to landing even a Cessna 172. Look at the Vertical Speed Indicator. Stay at or below -300 feet per minute. You wont bounce
JT8s everywhere.
but i like the 727-200's as well
without a doubt the finest airliner I ever flew...we used to call it the "humbler" ... landings were not always like glass
Mike, did you do the filming yourself back then?
The classic noise of jet engines of yore. Love it!