We're all familiar with the famous "What if Operating Systems Ran Airlines",
but that only gives UNIX one slot. SegFault did better by writing
a "What if Linux Distributions Ran Airlines", and even gave the free *BSD's
some room in there. However, in my recent fooling around, I've discovered
that there's really a lot of variety in the UNIX world, even though they
seem similar from a "userland" perspective. This will probably be
a work-in-progress, and I welcome any helpful ideas. So here goes...
AIX
You arrive at what the map said was the airport, however
it looks a lot more like a massive industrial complex. You check
in at a counter staffed with men all wearing a black tie and white shirt
uniform. Then, you get on a tram that takes you to the terminal.
You quickly notice that AIX Airlines is flying both brand new aircraft,
and planes dating back to the 50's. When you arrive at your gate,
you notice that the aircraft is huge and painted blue. It only has
4 engines, however it is easily three times the size of a 747. You
notice workers using massive cranes loading up the aircraft with everything
from industrial equipment to parcel shipments.
You eventually board the aircraft and settle into
your seat. When looking up, you quickly notice that there is a 3-digit
numerical display where you would expect the fasten-seatbelt and no-smoking
lights. Special trucks push the aircraft away from the gate, and
help it taxi onto the runway. Then, several more vehicles and mechanics
arrive to strap on a pair of rocket boosters to the wings. You notice
that they have not yet started the engine, as the captain announces that
you have been cleared for takeoff. Then the rocket engines fire,
causing the aircraft to throttle up and take off from the runway.
At 1000 feet, the engines start up and the rockets drop away into the ocean.
The 3-digit display begins displaying seemingly random numbers, however
the stewardess is passing out the "AC/800 Aircraft Passenger Service Manual"
which describes them. Four hours later, the captain announces that
the aircraft has reached cruising altitude. You see a guy named Smitty
carrying a pile of forms from the cockpit, and the plane suddenly throttles
up to Mach 6.
AIX airlines only flies intercontinental, however
they have the lowest fares, since each flight carries 6,000 passengers,
and thousands of tons of cargo.
Solaris
While you're arriving at the airport, you see a huge
sign that says, "The Network is the Airline." When you drive up to
the curb and show your ticket to the skycap, he already knows your name,
offers to park your car, hands you a boarding pass, and tells you where
your gate is. However, other passengers who haven't paid extra for
the Airline Information Services are not so fortunate. They have
to figure out everything, including the flight plan, all by themselves.
At the gate, you are called by name to board a pretty looking blue and
purple aircraft. You have a nice, calm, and comfortable flight.
Also, everyone knows your name and engages in friendly conversation.
However, the ticket fare was high and the flight lasted longer than expected.
Solaris airlines flies a large variety of aircraft,
from the smallest "puddle jumpers", to 747's. They are all linked
together through a massive satellite network, and are easily monitored
for trouble. Solaris has an incredible safety record, though, with
no reported crashes. However, most 2 engine aircraft are not able
to go faster than 400 mph. Only the high end 4-engine intercontinental
aircraft are capable of going at 650 mph.
IRIX
While driving to the airport, you notice the beautiful
scenery. The travel agent told you that you had picked the most luxurious
airline out there. You hope she was right, since you had to sell
your car to pay for the ticket. Check in was a breeze, with the new
electronic ticketing system. You just had to tell the man at the
counter your name, and then your ticket was printed up. When proceeding
through the metal detectors to the gate, you forgot to put your keys and
wallet into the tray. However, no alarms went off. Upon looking
out at the aircraft, you are very impressed. IRIX airlines has a
fleet of mid-size and large planes, and they all had beautiful paint jobs.
Boarding a plane the size of a 747, you are astonished by the seats.
There are only two per row, and they are made of very expensive exotic
fabrics in a teal, purple, and blue pattern. Takeoff goes smoothly,
and the pilot says that the flight will be arriving a whole hour ahead
of schedule. Unfortunately, ten minutes into the flight, the plane
was hijacked and crashed when panicked terrorists shot the pilots.
IRIX airlines flies all over, with a maximum of
luxury. They have the highest fairs, and thus only carry the wealthiest
of passengers. Also, their planes are quite fast. Unfortunately,
they have a relatively low safety records. Mechanical failures and
terrorist incidents are far more common than on other airlines.
Tru64
Not too many people have flown on Tru64 airlines.
In fact, few have heard of it. It is rumored that finding airports
that service Tru64 jets is difficult, as they run on a rare form of Jet
fuel developed by the Open Airline Foundation. The goal of the OAF
project was to develop a new standardized form of fuel, but no one else
decided to adopt it. Little is known about this airline, however
when you asked a friend of your about it, he said he didn't remember much
from his flight. Though he did recall that it was extremely fast,
arriving at the destination a full two hours early. Tru64 ticket
prices used to be competitive for the reduced flight time, however a recent
buyout of the company has resulted in a sharp rise in pricing.
HP-UX
On a strange whim you decide to try HP-UX airlaines. Ticket prices were
high, but you were told to expect first rate service. Arriving at the
fairly regular looking airport you notice that the curbside parking
leads to public toilet and that the ticket office has been moved to the
end of the runway. Boarding a plane in the color reminiscent of your
Gateway PeeCee at work, but built like a tank, you find yourself in in a
rather uncomfortable chair. The plane takes off very slowly but smoothly
and seems to proceed at a reasonable pace. You notice that there are 2
passengers and about 50 flight attendants, most of the latter just seem
to be there for no reason. Being bored you fiddle with the large screen
installed infront of you. It has many characters on it and a button
labelled "CDE". You press the "CDE" button and notice that the plane
starts to shudder. Not wanting to attract any attention you look out the
window to see a flock of geese overtake you. Landing with 6 hours delay
and totally frustrated you find that the gangway leads from the plane to
the airport refueling station.
(contributed by Michael Koch)
UNICOS
They built every plane that they flew, each one custom made and
unique. The planes look like nothing you've ever seen before.
They are only serve a few airports in the world and most of them
are not on the map. They are reputed to fly 15000 miles per hour,
but you can't find anyone who who will admit they have taken a
flight because all previous flights were classified.
Early planes had one gigantic engine, but later planes had
hundreds or even thousands of engines. The founder of the airline
said he was not interested in where the passengers were going,
only how fast the plane could go. As a result, the flights start
with no seat cushions or carpeting, but the passengers are given
bales of cotton and wool and they are free to do whatever they
want with them. It takes 3 engineers 6 hours to start the plane,
but the flights still arrive on time.
The only do transoceanic, supersonic flights. The planes run so
hot that they have to spray interior of the aircraft with water
for the duration of the flight. Sometimes very experienced
travelers who have flown on many other airlines get sick on these
flights due to the extreme speed and altitude.
Each plane was so expensive to build that they risked the company
on each one. They ended up being bought out by Irix Airlines which
is like Virgin Atlantic, a very stylish enterprise.
Rumor has it that they are back in the air.
(contributed by cheg01@home.com)