Oh the 727...a reminder of a bygone era.  Although they never received as much jumpseat grip attention as their mentally challenged cousins, the DC10s, the old 727's are quite the experience to fly.

Not for much longer.  United announced today that it is accelerating the retirement of its Boeing 727-200 aircraft fleet.  They will be retiring 25 of those aircraft in 2001, and this is almost one full year ahead of schedule.  Bottom line here: expect the 727 to be completely gone by the end of 2003.

Tissues please?  Anyone?  The old 727's will be replaced by 13 new Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft that are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2002.