Replies

codeword: "They seem to be abandoning the commercial aircraft field to Airbus et al."

RightOnline: "Trust me when I tell you that all of the above would be a tremendous surprise to Boeing personnel, management, executives, and shareholders."

RightOnline is right on line. You, codeword, have no idea what you are talking about. Boeing is not abandoning the large aircraft market, there are several derivatives in the works. The Sonic Cruiser is not going to just carry a small number of elite customers around, I believe it is being designed to carry several hundred and to have similar or only a little higher economics to today's aircraft.

Exactly what "huge manufacturing plant in Seattle" has Boeing abandoned? I don't know of any that they are even planning to abandon.

You'd best learn to educate yourself about a subject before you spout off on a forum such as this.

They have abandoned their corporate headquarters in Seattle, and have drastically cut back production there. They have also laid off thousands of workers. The move to Chicago is symbolic of Boeings plan to diversify production away from aircraft and in the direction of aircraft accessories, such as airline internet connections.

Of course, socialism may save Boeing. The Europeans are complaining about this:

Friday, December 14, 2001 - 12:00 a.m. Pacific

David Bowermaster Seattle Times aerospace reporter

Airbus executive blasts post-attack help for Boeing

PARIS — The head of European aircraft manufacturer Airbus criticized recent U.S. government-aid packages issued in the aftermath of Sept. 11, saying they provided "direct help" for Airbus' rival Boeing.

Airbus president Noel Forgeard said in an interview published in yesterday's edition of Les Echos, a financial daily, that the U.S. aid was a "veritable Boeing Marshall Plan."

In September, the U.S. Congress approved a $15 billion relief package for the U.S. airline industry. The package seeks to restore vitality to a sector of the economy devastated by the Sept. 11 attacks.

Forgeard also denounced parts of a separate $20 billion anti-terrorism package for the Pentagon, which was approved by Congress last week.

The defense measure includes language that would establish a new program in which the government would lease up to 100 Boeing 767s to be used as air tankers to replace an aging fleet.

Forgeard called it "a form of direct help" for Boeing.