During the 1970s, the US airline industry experienced a large amount of change. With the advent of improved technology, manufacturers were starting to promote the idea to airlines of two-crew cockpits, much to the disapproval of pilot unions.
The Boeing 757 and 767 – which were concurrently developed – were designed to have identical cockpits meaning pilots could fly both types on a common rating. The pair were also intended to be operated by just two pilots and would be the second aircraft in Boeing’s line-up after the 737, to have this capability.
In the US at the time, there was strong opposition from pilots’ unions to removing the flight engineer’s position. In fact, despite taking delivery of its first example in February 1968, United Airlines was forced to operate the 737 with three crew members until 1981.
As a result of this pushback, the 757 nearly kept its third crew member when launch customer Eastern Air Lines – under pressure from unions – agreed to retain the position.
“We had a policy on the books at the time, that any new or future jets irrespective of the number of engines, had to have a three-person crew with full duties and responsibilities with a panel for the flight engineer,” George Jehn, a former Eas…
