JetBlue Snubs U.S. Aircraft Companies for the French

NewsMax ^

[budanski]

When JetBlue Airways Corp. recently announced that it had ordered 65 A320 aircraft from the French Airbus company, with options for 50 more, a lot of the boycott-France folks got up in arms - none more so than a former Capitol Hill staffer who helped write the FAA rules, which were designed to discourage such foreign airliner purchases in the first place.

JetBlue's newly ordered aircraft will be delivered starting in 2004. In addition to the 41 aircraft in service, JetBlue already had 46 A320s on order. With the latest French order, JetBlue's fleet could grow to as many as 202 French-made A320 jetliners by 2012.

Here is what Carl Biersack is telling NewsMax and anyone else who will listen:

"I was one of the congressional staffers who wrote the FAA Reauthorization that changed the rules at the slot-controlled airports. One of the conditions I put in the law was that the allocation of the slots would be based on the maximum contribution to America?s aviation system/infrastructure.

"This was meant to ensure that slots would go from those controlled airports to cities where there would be lots of passengers or to hubs because they will connect to many other cities, and, finally, it was meant to require carriers to buy American airplanes.

Clinton Again

"When one writes laws - especially authorization laws - one cannot be as specific as appropriators can where they make earmarks. Well, Clinton's DOT [Department of Transportation chief] Rodney Slater allowed JetBlue to get the slots - knowing they were going to buy French jets.

"A number of my fellow staffers - who worked on the law and had left the Hill - complained that the JetBlue decision was not within the spirit of the law: It was neither going to maximize passenger benefits nor buy American. But as we all know, the fidelity of the Clinton administration to the letter of the law was just not possible.

"Our complaints fell on deaf ears. Here is just another illustration of the Clinton's "empowering" our enemies by inaction or insufficient action.?

JetBlue, a low-fare, low-cost passenger airline that launched operations in February 2000, features roomy leather seats equipped with free live satellite television. Its travel agents work from their home computers.

The airline is doing well in a notoriously slow market, but not well enough to routinely rub its French connection in the face of an American public still stinging from that country's antics before, during and after Operation Iraqi Freedom.

For its part, Airbus is careful to point out in its press releases that each order for its aircraft means a boost to the U.S. economy, as Airbus spends some 40 percent of its procurement budget with hundreds of suppliers in more than 40 U.S. states. "In 2002 alone, Airbus spent $5.5 billion in U.S. contracts - more than it spent in any other country. Using U.S. Department of Commerce figures, that dollar amount translates into Airbus support of 120,000 American jobs."

Airbus prefers to tout not its its made-in-France airframe but its plans to build the world's largest jetliner: a double-decker that will hold 555 passengers, 35 percent more than Boeing's 33-year-old 747.

Meanwhile, Airbus chief executive Noel Forgeard sits in his top-floor office by the airport in Toulouse, France, watching Europe's largest building taking shape across the runway. The new factory is the venue where the giant passenger jet will be constructed, thanks in generous measure to JetBlue.

Forgeard feels warmly toward his big customer across the Atlantic:

"As JetBlue continues to conquer the odds, their repeated choice of Airbus aircraft proves that efficiency on all levels, including equipment and operations, is a must for an airline's continuing health. With this [latest] order, JetBlue demonstrates that with the right people, the right product and the right cost structure, airlines can grow, even in this current, challenging, environment."

Not feeling so warmly are upset Americans who are sending e-mails to JetBlue voicing concern about its cozy relationship with Airbus.

One example: "Has anyone told JetBlue that there is an American company located over there in Everett, Washington that makes perfectly good airplanes"?

[green team 1999]

jetfranceblue bump

[kellynla]

I was trying to find the original email I wrote to Sky Blue expressing my dislike for their only doing business with Air Bus. I had told them that I could not in good conscience fly on an airplane made in France.

[dagar]

Thank you for injecting reality into the discussion. Even if I don't care for the @#$% frogs :^D

[justlurking]

Jet Blue is the only airline making money.

No, it's not.

AirTran and Southwest also had profitable first quarters in 2003. For Southwest, I think it was their 40th consecutive profitable quarter.

[freedombrigade]

I agree. While I support free trade, I'm tired of the sacrificing of America's industrial base to foreign countries.

We are still the largest debtor industrialized nation, a fact that should scare everyone.

I agree that we should tap the oil reserves who have in this country, but we should also utilize coal and natural gas more also. It's time to get serious about a comprehensive energy policy that rewards research grants and provides a clear focus (much like Eisenhower did in the 50's) to tackle this problem once and for all.

Let's move forward, shut out scum like the French (the people voted overwhelmingly for Chirac and are anti-American in general) and should be made suffer the the long-term strategy that dates back to the 60's and their withdrawal from the military arm of NATO. They're no help and are clearly and openly demonstrating their disdain for the USA.

I've seen no public outrage or mass protests against Chirac or calls for his resignation. Therefore, the French populous is rubberstamping his actions and his relationship with the enemies of the United States.

[cyborg]

I do not participate in any boycotts. Yes I do try to save money because I have to, and want to. I shop at Walmart and Macy's (which is like Burdines in the South I think). Made in America doesn't necessarily mean it's not made in a sweat shop. There is a special union stamp on clothing made by union workers in the US. Sure I will buy that, and I will buy "MIA" items when it's cheap. However, most boycotts end up hurting people who have nothing to do with their government leaders' politics. Suppose everyone had decided to boycott the US because of segregation in the South? Suppose people started boycotting US because of US involvement in Iraq?

[NormsRevenge]

LOL...

Airbus is, in fact, not a French company. It is a European organization owned by British, Spanish, French and German concerns.

I guess ya could always ask to be seated on the right hand side of the plane. NyaHHHH!

[cyborg]

I have heard good things about them too. Regarding the planes, I am sure they've considered it. I also think this was already arranged way before Iraq. They're discount. If they bought the most expensive they'd pass it onto ticket buyers.

[Arkinsaw]

You are free to do what you believe and I'm not trying to change your mind. Some people just don't like boycotts. Just to let you know that there are a lot of serious reasons for people who do boycott though.

Suppose everyone had decided to boycott the US because of segregation in the South?

It might have ended sooner, who knows.

Suppose people started boycotting US because of US involvement in Iraq?

They are.

[cyborg]

Southwest is a great airline. Their CEO is a pennypincher. JetBlue is the hottest thing right now because of their low fares/high customer service. I am sure each has their own specialties though, strong points unique to each.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Somebody had better take a look at France's landing gear engineering:

Large pic here.

Large pic here.

Large pic here

More pics here .

These are pics of the Airbus 340-600 that failed its RTO (Rejected Take-Off) Test badly. In an RTO test, the jet accelerates to near take-off speed, then has to slam on the brakes and stop before running out of an acceptable amount of runway. And, of course, the plane is supposed to do this without overheating the brakes, setting anything on fire, or damaging the plane's structure (all three of which happened here).

It's a real bummer when the fire department has to respond to your test, especially on a jet that is supposed to be the white knight that's going to save your company. The Wheels & Brakes engineers have some 'splainin' to do. There's also structural damage, so the Stress Analysis people are going to feel the heat, too. The Airbus landing gear engineers had better have asbestos asses going before the review board.

[cyborg]

I am going to Europe in two weeks. My mother will be safe. She still has her Caribe accent :-). I am eager to find out if the legend is true that the French are rude. Maybe I may have a different opinion when I get back! Anyway, I am curious to know if the anti-american attitude isn't due to the influx of US-hating islamofascists.

[budanski]

"Those JetBlue Airbuses are the best planes I have ever ridden on."

Boeing's Triple 7's are better and are American made.(Even better)

[_Jim]

JetBlue Snubs U.S. Aircraft Companies for the French

Let's see - BUY the type of aircraft we ALREADY HAVE and ARE FLYING or BUY ANOTHER BRAND and then pay REDUNDANT COSTS (like American) to service and TRAIN PERSONNEL on them ...

[bruinbirdman]

Airbus was established in 1970 as a European consortium of French, German and later, Spanish and U.K. companies, as it became clear that only by co-operating would European aircraft manufacturers be able to compete effectively with the U.S. giants. By overcoming national divides, sharing development costs, collaborating in the interests of a greater market share, and even agreeing a common set of measurements and a common language, Airbus changed the face of the business, and brought airlines, passengers and crews the benefits of real competition.

In 2001, thirty years after its creation, Airbus formally became a single integrated company, thus passing another major milestone in its history of achievements. The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), (resulting from the merger between Aerospatiale Matra SA of France, Daimler Chrysler Aerospace AG of Germany and Construcciones Aeronauticas SA of Spain), and BAE SYSTEMS of the UK, transferred all of their Airbus-related assets to the newly incorporated company and, in exchange, became shareholders in Airbus with 80 per cent and 20 per cent respectively of the new stock.

yitbos

[Ferris]

Healthy airlines today are very rare, yet the importance of airlines existing is extremely vital to this country...

If the JetBlue decision meant the continued existence of itself as an airline, then it must do what it must to continue to exist...

Which means buying planes from Airbus...

Even if it means buying planes partially made in France...

To do otherwise would be sacrificing the airline because of the feelings of certain individuals...

To not buy Airbusses could kill the airline...

What difference does it make if you as a business appeased someone when you no longer exist to even attempt to serve them???

What is more important than punishing France is a working, profitable existing airline in this country...

Even if you never give JetBlue a dime of your money...

It is a benefit to you that they exist...

[mgstarr]

Please don't confuse them with facts.

[cyborg]

Please do not get me wrong. I understand why people want to boycott French goods. I am also not saying that people are simpletons for boycotting France. My reason for posting is to offer a different opinion. Everyone has a right to protest in their own way. I kmow that Chirac has pretty much soured his country's image for a long time. Remember when boycotting South Africa was the thing to do? I didn't. I was happy to see entertainers going there to sing despite death threats. I mentioned the South right? Well if I had time, I'd visit South Carolina just because the NAALCP said no should. I'd mail Kwesi all the rebel flag souvenirs I bought. Boycotts are not my style.

[bruinbirdman]

Link to #35: History of Airbus

[drjimmy]

One must always consider the source. The "former Capitol Hill staffer who helped write the FAA rules" and who is stirring up all this fuss is Carl Biersack, director of government affairs for the lobbying firm Barbour Griffith & Rogers. Lo and behold, one of that firm's clients is none other than Delta Airlines. Biersack gets paid to trash JetBlue, and all he had to do was mention Clinton's name for Newsmax to take the bait.