Seems everyone firgets about all the problems and deaths regarding the DC-10. Was it grounded worldwide? Nope. Even though far more people died. Every aircraft is a compromise. There is no guarantee that issues won't show up with a new or modified design. You want a guarantee? Buy a toaster, and even then you're not guaranteed perfect safety.
When I was a kid in the mid-70's, my dad, who was a career Army officer, was stationed in Hawai'i. We were fortunate to be assigned quarters at Ft. Kamehameha, about 3/4 of ample from the end of runway 8 (now 8L) at Honolulu Intel (PHNL). Every day we were treated to Aloha Airlines 737's and Hawaiian Air DC-9's turning on short final and from time to time 747's, DC-10's and large US Air Force transports on a long approach from the Barbers Point area of Oahu. If we wanted a better view to watch aircraft, the terminal had a gorgeous open air viewing platform that was open to the public. Later in my life, I usually found places to airplane watch around airports. Such as the parking lot at the end of runway 1L and 1R at KSFO, there was a great place at The end of 12L at KSTL. It no longer exists. Then the park at the north end of 19 at KDCA. I don't know it's current status. I now live in the Chicago metro area. You can pretty much forget any real airplane watching around KORD or KMDW. Ei
I've only flown on a 747 once, in 1981. It was on a Flying Tiger Lines military flight from Travis AFB to Clark AFB in the Philippines, via ANK and Kadina AFB in Okinawa. It was a long series of flights. Nearly 24 hours enroute.
I was a USN sailor who was traveling to report to my ship, the USS America (CV-66).
Over the past 50 years, the 747 has been a favorite of mine. At least from the plane watcher point of view. I'm glad that it will likely still be flying when I breathe my last. Even if it's only hauling cargo, instead of passengers.
