Posted on 04/20/2006 6:54:45 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
The final Boeing 717 was rolled out of the former Douglas Aircraft production site at Long Beach, California just before dawn today in preparation for the start of flight tests and delivery to AirTran Airways in May (pictured below).
The last aircraft officially marks the end of commercial aircraft manufacturing on the site and emerged from the now empty Building 80 assembly line that over the past 48 years has produced 976 DC-9s, 1,191 MD-80s and 115 MD-90s. A further 556 DC-8s, 446 DC-10/KC-10s and 200 MD-11s were also produced in the adjacent Building 84.
The final 717 is the 156th, and will be the 155th to be delivered, the first having been retained by Boeing. The 717 is also the last aircraft to be rolled over Lakewood Boulevard which divides the factory from the airfield and flight test site.
The older factory buildings on the airfield side of the road, mostly built in the 1940s as part of President Roosevelt's 'Arsenal of Defense' strategy, built C-47 Dakotas, A-20 Havocs, B-17 Flying Fortresses and A-26 Invaders as well as a host of post-Second World War cargo, attack and fighter aircraft.
Almost all of these buildings have now been demolished to make room for new commercial developments. The future of the Building 80 site, which sports the iconic "Fly DC Jets" neon sign (pictured below) remains uncertain.
A320 No Good?
I dunno, I have flown Airtrans twice in the past year, found there service to be good, flight to be enjoyable and the price was right... I can't complain.
Last wretched flights I had were Continental and United, both planes had duct tape holding on parts of the interior cabin (cosmetic yes, but still tacky) and the stewardesses were more interested in gossiping with one another in the back of the plain than doing anything esle.
I personally never cared for the MD-80s... always felt like I was taking a huge risk whenever I flew on em.
A320 "Next Generation"
NWA only had MD-80's breifly, following a merger. They were punted as their leases expired.
Boeing just assumed the sales that didn't goto the 717 would goto the 737... yeah, that didn't happen.
They went to Embraer
The degree to which Boeing mismanged the McDD commercial properties after the merger just boggles the mind.
Boeing, Airbus and alot of airlines are keeping their powder dry for the next generation of engine designed for the $100 oil world.
It could however be damn near 2020 before we see it.
North Central ?
Stonecipher who was ousted as CEO of Boeing last year, was the CEO of McDonnel-Douglas when it merged with Boeing.
Have you seen the picture of the proposed "enhanced performance" A320? It has windows in the ceiling.
Stonecipher retired not long after the merger, he was brought back after Condit was forced out. Only to be forced out himself a short time later. He didn't do a hell of alot while he was there other than try to kill the 7e7 program.
I've actually had good experiences with them.
They can't be that bad, Airtran, along with Southwest, are the only two airlines to post a profit in all of the last 6 years.
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