The departure-lounge diary of Useless

The 737 was nicknamed the ‘Baby Boeing’. I was nicknamed ‘Oi, where’s the rubber?’. We’ve both been through a lot. Boeing: Select Products in Boeing History, 737 Commercial Transport (PDF)

The first 737’s tail didn’t fit in the building, so they fitted it outside with a crane. I didn’t fit in the pencil case. Nobody brought a crane. Boeing: Select Products in Boeing History, 737 Commercial Transport (PDF)

Early on it was called the ‘square’ aeroplane, because it was as long as it was wide. I’m roughly square too. Nobody has ever asked me to fly. Boeing: Select Products in Boeing History, 737 Commercial Transport (PDF)

The first 737-800 was the 2,906th 737 built. I am the 1st eraser to write a hangar diary. Quality over quantity. Boeing news release: Boeing introduces longest 737 ever (30 Jun 1997)

“We’ve got a flawless flight,” said the test pilot from 17,000 feet. I said the same thing after rolling off the desk. The floor disagreed. Boeing news release: Longest Boeing 737 makes first flight (31 Jul 1997)

The first flight lasted three hours and five minutes. I once sat in a pencil case for three weeks. I call that endurance. Boeing news release: Longest Boeing 737 makes first flight (31 Jul 1997)

Boeing once said an average 737 wears about 50 gallons of paint. I wear one layer of pencil dust. It’s a look. Boeing: 737 family background page (archived 9 Dec 2004)

On a flight tracker the 737-800 is ‘B738’. On the stationery cupboard list I am ‘misc.’ Hurtful, but accurate. FAA Order JO 7360.1K, Aircraft Type Designators (effective 12 Jun 2025, PDF) · checked 29 Oct 2026

Count the little emergency exits over the wing: two each side means a -800 or a -900. Count my googly eyes: two. Also very useful in an emergency. EASA: Type-Certificate Data Sheet IM.A.120, Boeing 737, Issue 30 (PDF)

A winglet tip on a 737-800 sits around 6.8 metres off the ground. I sit around 6.8 millimetres off the desk. Basically twins. Boeing: Next-Generation 737 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, D6-58325-7 Rev C (Oct 2025, PDF)

The engines sit so low there’s only about 64 cm under them at empty weight. I get under things all the time. Mostly sofas. Boeing: Next-Generation 737 Airplane Characteristics for Airport Planning, D6-58325-7 Rev C (Oct 2025, PDF)

The Sky Interior’s mood lighting goes from soft blue to sunset. My mood lighting is the fridge light at 2 a.m. Boeing news release: Boeing delivers first 737 Boeing Sky Interior (27 Oct 2010)

Those bigger overhead bins pivot up out of the way. I was put in an overhead bin once. I did not pivot. Boeing news release: Boeing delivers first 737 Boeing Sky Interior (27 Oct 2010)

The P-8A Poseidon is a 737-800 airframe with -900 wings. I’m an eraser with a pencil’s ambitions. Same idea, really. US Navy fact file: P-8A Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft

A 737-800 freighter carries up to 23.9 tonnes. I carry the weight of every spelling mistake in this school. Similar. Boeing news release: Boeing launches Next-Generation 737 Boeing Converted Freighter (Feb 2016)