JetBlue Snubs U.S. Aircraft Companies for the French

NewsMax ^

[Axenolith]

We need to also kick Airbus' ass on the large airline project with a 1,000+ passenger WIG aircraft ;)

[jt8d]

From the perspective of 23 years of experience maintaining aircraft: I will take a Boeing over an Airbus any day. Boeings are much more user-friendly for the mechanic. Whenever I have to make a "MX house-call" the last aircraft that my eyes want to see on that tarmac is an Airbus. The airframe, in general, is a nightmare to work around--too damn high off the deck, although the flightdeck is laid out superbly well. Everything is fly-by-wire now, and that is the most troubling aspect--no solid connections between the pilot and the flight controls. (Experience: B707, 727, 737, 747, 757, 767; Lockheed L1011; DC8, DC9, MD80; Airbus A300, A310, A320)

[cyborg]

I do try to buy American made goods when I know it's made in the USA. Some are stamped USA but are actually made in a US protectorate. Ah anyway, yes I am being selfish BUT if it's a difference between say a Harley and a Honda well... shucks! Love the Harley BUT Honda is not a mechnical nightmare for a college girl with two jobs (not to mention $$$$).

At least I never bought a Yugo.

[RayChuang88]

This is where I LOUDLY disagree with NewsMax's views.

Let's consider the following:

1. JetBlue ordered the A320 in 1997, back when it was easier to get the A320 than the Boeing 737-800, the other airplane JetBlue was considering. Back in 1997 Boeing was literally swamped with orders for the Next-Generation 737, and Boeing could not spare production slots for what JetBlue wanted in terms of early deliveries.

2. The average A320 airliner contains nearly 40 percent of its components sourced from American aerospace firms, so it's impact on US balance of trade is a lot less than people think.

3. JetBlue wanted a plane that could easily meet current and future ICAO standards for jet engine noise and exhaust emissions levels. The IAE V2500 engines on the JetBlue A320's were ready to comply to these standards.

4. JetBlue liked the fact the wider fuselage of the A320 means wider seats and wider aisles for easier passenger loading/unloading and more comfortable seating.

5. JetBlue got a great sweetheart deal on the A320 airplanes from Airbus through a leasing company.

[cyborg]

I get a lot of spam-like emails from Newsmax, and lots of pop ups. I know they have to pay for the website but geez!

[green team 1999]

if Airbus planes are so good like the"french aircraft carrier",better stay away from airbus

[Blue Collar Christian]

I would relish you eaing the humble pie, I would let you slide on the kiss. LOL!

[Captain Peter Blood]

The following comment was posted last week when this story about Jet Blue first came up. Boeing has not invested for the future and really has no cutting edge planes out there to compete with Airbus or otehr companies. Read on:

Airbus is not survivng, but flourishing.
Boeing is trying to compeate against modern Airbus jets that are less expensive and more economical to opperate than Boeing's reheated 1960's technology.

While Airbus has aggressively pursued a modern and innovative project line - Boeing is doing dick. They are talking about evaluating the possibility of exploring the possibility of launching replacement programs for the 737 of the 1960's and 757\767 of the 1970's.

Anything that would replace those dinosaurs is atleast 10 years away. In the meantime Airbus (and other rising jet makers) are blowing past Boeing.

The 777 is the only current Boeing jet that can stand on it's own merits against Airbus. All the rest are only sellable because so many airlines already have invested in those fleets.

[Blue Collar Christian]

"Hold on to your wallet with a death grip over there! Friend had his wallet picked (stolen and gone) while on subway to Paris!"

That would never happen over here? Share your dope!

[cyborg]

Yeah I was beginning to rethink that. She may like me kissing her cheek (Suha Arafat!) a little too much. No amount of Dettol soap would get that off my face!

[Blue Collar Christian]

My profession is motorcycle mech, love bikes, all types.

FYI, the motorcycle that is most made in USA is the Honda Shadow, not H-D.

[cyborg]

Oh yeah I know BUT try and tell that to the segment of Harley loyalists who don't buy Hondas because Honda is a 'Japanese' company, despite the division 'American Honda'.
If I had the money, I would have bought a Sportster. It's not a bike for a short female beginner. The Buell Blast! is ugly.

[Blue Collar Christian]

What did you buy?

[asneditor]

It's called good old fashioned capatalism. He who has the better product sells the most.

If Airbus can do it cheaper then so be it; the American manufacturers better get it together or lose out.

Buying Airbus has nothing to do with anything other than good business

[Agamemnon]

Could somebody please tell me who elected Carl Biersack?

I know, it's just an aside, and yes, I know that how things are done in Washington, but when one considers the number of times congressman and senators vote on things they haven't even read, it is quite startling.

Imagine how many fewer laws and regulations we would have (and bad laws in particular) if the number of congressional staff were cut dramatically.

The staffer featured here may be an "our guy"-type of staffer, but I'd as easily show him the door to rid ouselves of the lot of them and make congressmen themselves compose their OWN legislation as the process was originally designed to do.

[jwh_Denver]

If it were my company and I thought Airbus was the best airplane for the lowest price for a discount flyer, I would buy airbus.

Read post #13.

[AgThorn]

Thanks for the info ... I sent my letter! everyone should do likewise by clicking on:
http://jetblue.com/speakup/problems.asp

My letter below:

I am not thrilled that you have decided to make a major non-American purchase. I and many others are even more disappointed that you have decided, especially in these hard times we are having with our so called French allies, to make a "French" purchase, especially of such a large magnitude.

I am not much for boycotts, but in this time of economic recession, a strong need for for more American jobs, the terrible and quite hypocritical support that France has given our country in this time of need, lets me think that boycotts are not such a bad idea. I will certainly get the word out to others of this action by your company and will also think twice before flying your airline, even with a hub so close to my home.

I would sincerely hope that you would rethink your actions and weigh not only the financial implications of such a transaction but also who your buying market is.

[kellynla]

That was my initial feeling. Especially since my Dad put his ass on the line in France to liberate those people and this is how they return the favor. I don't think so. And on top of it I understand that Air Bus is government subsidized. Think I'll fly American...or drive LOL.

[Wolfie]

Geez Louise, our Government has been busy for the last 30 or so years enabling the dismantling and export of our manufacturing base, so I'm not too upset that some Capitol Hill wonk has his panties in a twist over some airline buying French planes.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

JetBlue