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"?

[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