Boeing's New Baby

The Wall Street Journal ^ | November 18, 2003 | J. LYNN LUNSFORD

[jjm2111]

Have a look0 at Boeing's proposed 7E7 models, and how their configurations compare to its aging 676.

See our revamped Personal Journal section2 with new features and online-only columns, tools and stories, along with the entire contents of the print edition.

[newgeezer]

I hear our company's future literally depends on it.

[biblewonk]

I hear our company's future literally depends on it.

Wow I haint hoid dat one. To hear the man talk you'd think all was well and we are diverse and the investors love us. There has certainly been a shift to the gmt side. I can see where this division would be pretty hungry if we don't get some of it.

[jjm2111]

I am curious about FReepers and people in general who have stopped flying after 9-11. I wonder what percentage of them flew very often (if at all) before 9-11. I really hate the security hassle, but I find myself flying still 5 or 6 times a year.

Did you fly a lot before 9-11? I can't drive to all the places I want to go, and even with video conferencing I still have to fly business once or twice. Plus the reserves will send me some where at least once.

[section9]

If Airbus says it is "not concerned" that is telling me something.

They are VERY concerned. Airbus is a state industry that cannot, apparently, move as fast as Boeing can. They have bet EVERYTHING on the A-380 being the successor to the 747 and making Airbus the king of the mountian. A-380 requires adjustments to terminals and gangways because the damn plane is so big. Methinks that Boeing has made the kind of flanking moves that will make 7E7 a more desirable buy than making the investment in A-380.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[null and void]

I was not a frequent flyer, maybe once or twice a year or so.

For someone like me, who doesn't fly often, the added indignity, time, and waving my right to being free of random searches just isn't worth it.

The extra hours of thumb twiddling at the airport translate directly into added range in driving. Plus, if I drive I have wheels at the other end!

My drive has never been delayed. And my car has never lied to me about a delay. It doesn't treat me like an inconvenience. I can get out and walk around any time, the seat is big enough, and it fully reclines. I get better food, and have a wide varity of places to eat. I don't have to pay for headphones to listen to music, I can pick from scores of stations, or listen to any tape I choose. I don't have to turn off my cell phone.

And it's cheaper!

[jjm2111]

I agree, and choose to drive to places when I can. However, when I go coast to coast, it's much quicker to fly.

[HamiltonJay]

My drive has never been delayed.

Huh? You must never drive in the summer then... road construction delays are as common as pigeons during the summer everywhere I drive.

[SamAdams76]

Initially I flew a lot less since 9/11. In fact, I drove to Alabama (from Massachusetts) a couple years ago to avoid it. But about a year ago, I discovered the airport in Manchester, NH which is much closer to my house than Logan in Boston. That airport is a breeze to use, in and out with no hassle, and Southwest operates out of there, which is even a bigger plus.

I used to hate flying 737s (that Southwest uses) but since 9/11, I would be more nervous getting on a widebody. This 7E7 looks like a real nice plane though. I'm planning a trip to Hawaii in 2009 and maybe I'll take my inaugural flight on one of these then.

BTW, as a sidebar, some might wonder why I am choosing 2009 to fly to Hawaii. Well, ever since the first state quarter came out in 1999, I have been hoarding them. I vowed back then that I would save every state quarter I come across and by the time the last one came out in 2009 (which happens to be Hawaii), I would have enough to take my wife there on a two-week vacation. Everybody laughed at first, but I already have nearly $2,000 in state quarters saved up. So it looks like we'll going first class.

[null and void]

Agreed! Anything over 1000 km is in flying teritory.

Last time I flew, I got the full search, yet a woman in full møøselimb robes just walked on through.

You coulda hidden 10+ kg of explosives under those robes without raising a visible bulge.

I almost skipped the flight, when I realize she was getting on MY plane.

I wouldn't have as much of a problem with "security" if I actually felt more secure after going through it...

[null and void]

In Kalistan road work is done to minimize traffic delays, else the peasants WOULD revolt.

You are what you drive...

[HamiltonJay]

Again, don't know where you drive, up in Bay area, traffic jams are a dime a dozen, even on weekends...

[muleskinner]

...Wichita...(has) been one of the hardest hit cities...

What? I thought everyone in Wichita was a "lineman".

(sorry)

[budwiesest]

Wonder where they put the transporter bay?

[jjm2111]

See my post no. 14 about TSA idiots. When I was in Oregon last year the morons in a small regional airport singled out my buddy and I. We were both Naval Reserve Officers, and we got subjected to the full search while everyone else just whizzed on through.

[null and void]

Silicon Valley. Better than the rest of the bay area. The lib-uh-rhuls hate cars. Techies like them.

I don't go to San Fransisco - I learned to drive in LA, and can't see any point in going to a "city" without freeways or parking places...

[jjm2111]

Good for you on the vacation. NH is nice country and I would not mind living there. I use one of those frequent flyer credit cards. I charge everything on it and use the miles to upgrade. I pay $225 for some flight (it has to be over four hours or I won't bother upgrading) and upgrade it. It's nice being up front for the coast to coast flights.

[lafroste]

Sitting for 3,4,5 or more hours is uncomfortable enough.

You ought to try it for 16 hours, like I am this Saturday (and that's if nothing goes wrong).

[Ronaldus Magnus]

Nothing will ever surpass the golden age of air travel - that spanned from the 70's into the early 90's. The Boeing 747 reigned supreme!

Absolutely! From claustrophobic air travel to mass dysentery cruises, getting there is no longer half the fun.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Wonder where they put the transporter bay?

Who cares about that? I wanna know where Counselor Troy's room is.

[Charlotte Corday]

Boeing believes passengers would be more comfortable

As if the seat-pitch engineers at America West and USAir give a rat's a**.