Sports activities followers, this one’s for you, because it’s your annual publish about something associated to skilled sports activities. 😉
New England Patriots gamers don’t like their Boeing 767
The logistics of transporting sports activities groups may be difficult, since traditionally, most groups constitution business plane to get to and from their video games. Again in 2017, the New England Patriots did one thing that was modern on the time, after they picked up their very own staff plane.
This determination was made for a few causes. For one, leasing planes from airways for charters turned more and more difficult and costly on the time, as airways simply didn’t have the spare capability. On prime of that, the thought was that this was imagined to be a real constructive for the staff, and one other method to appeal to expertise. In any case, flying round by yourself “non-public” staff jet sounds nicer than flying on one other chartered plane. Nevertheless, because it seems, the staff isn’t truly too pleased with this.
The Nationwide Soccer League Gamers Affiliation (NFLPA) publishes an annual report card, whereby staff members can rank their staff in 11 classes, starting from services, to possession, to vitamin.
The New England Patriots don’t appear to be doing too nicely in terms of that. Final 12 months, the staff ranked twenty ninth out of 32 groups, and this 12 months, the staff ranked thirty first out of 32 groups.
Apparently, staff journey is likely one of the two areas the place the New England Patriots obtained the bottom rating, and acquired an “F” grade (with the burden room being the one different space the place the staff scored an “F”). The NFLPA report card mentioned the next:
“Gamers need an upgraded staff aircraft. The present aircraft is simply too small, there isn’t any Wi-Fi accessible, and there are seats with ashtrays within the armrests. Gamers particularly responded that ‘our aircraft is the worst factor – dimension, house, security.’ and ‘it’s not conducive to preparedness for athletic efficiency.’”
Is the Boeing 767 “AirKraft” actually that dangerous?!?
I’ve written previously concerning the New England Patriots’ Boeing 767, generally known as the “AirKraft.” The aircraft is 33 years previous, and has the license plate N36NE. Beneath you’ll be able to see a video about it from a number of years again.
This specific aircraft has 203 seats, with 80 enterprise class seats (2-2-2 configuration) and 123 financial system seats (2-3-2 configuration). Listed here are a couple of ideas that I’ve concerning the staff’s complaints:
- Yeah, lack of Wi-Fi looks like one thing that’s irritating for apparent causes, particularly in 2025
- Complaining about ashtrays within the armrests appears a bit petty
- It’s attention-grabbing that security is talked about as one of many points with the aircraft, as I’m curious what the background is for that concern
By way of consolation, how does this evaluate to different NFL groups? Properly, truthfully, the trade is everywhere.
For instance, previously, the Miami Dolphins have chartered an Atlas Air Boeing 747, which is actually extra comfy, and an excellent snazzy constitution jet. I don’t assume staff transport will get rather more comfy than that.
The most typical scenario, although, is that groups simply constitution airliners. The standard there can range tremendously, and depends upon what sort of a aircraft is being chartered, and what cabin somebody is seated in.
Yeah, in fact a flat mattress can be higher than what’s accessible on the Patriots jet, however the Patriots enterprise class seats are extra comfy than financial system, and there are additionally much more premium seats.
I can’t assist however marvel if the staff would have a unique impression of the jet if it merely had Wi-Fi, as a result of in any other case, I simply don’t see how this setup is tremendous uncompetitive. However in fact that’s simply my take, and I’ve by no means flown on the jet…
Backside line
The New England Patriots are one of many solely NFL groups to have their very own “non-public jet.” Whereas which may sound good, it additionally appears to be one of many best factors of dissatisfaction amongst staff members, who think about the aircraft to be inadequate when it comes to dimension, house, and security.
I’m curious to see if the staff house owners do something to handle these considerations, and whether or not that simply entails putting in Wi-Fi, or getting a brand new aircraft altogether.
What do you make of the failing grade that the Patriots give their AirKraft?
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