Check out the history of the 747 by comparison. That was the plane that was going to sink Boeing, and it became the most successful plane in the world — after a rough start.
Bowing certainly has the monetary resources to build its own batteries right here in America, using American labor and expertise.
There are several reasons why manufacturing is making a general come back right here in America.
One of the more ethereal and therefore harder to define reasons is patriotism itself. But, it is one of the reasons that both liberals and conservatives can get behind. Especially as the US was the greatest manufacturing nation the world had ever seen at one time, and that was the main reason why the US was the Arsenal of Democracy that was the main factor in the allies winning WWII!
Another more practical reason is the constantly increasing cost of shipping. It is certainly a lot less expensive to ship manufactured goods across a state or even a city that it is half way around the world!
And finally, there is the major issue in this case. And that is the very important issue of quality assurance (or quality control to the less educated in this important area). It is a whole lot easier to both establish and maintain quality assurance on manufactured products right here in the USA close to the places where the actual industry is located than it is to use outsourced companies throughout the world.
Yes, it probably costs a little more initially, but in the long run, and capital products such as either the automobile industry or aerospace industries produce are absolutely long term products. In the long run it is not only less expensive but a lot better on the all important reputation to manufacture right here in the good old USA, using the best and most productive workers in the world, than it is to outsources such important products!!
Recalling a bit of history might be useful here. This isn’t the first time Boeing had had problems with new aircraft, not by a long shot. Human error mixed with a factory defect in the then brand new 767 resulted in the infamous “Gimli Glider” incident where an Air Canada flight lost both engines and electricity. At least the fire in Boston didn’t happen at 26,000 feet.
The 787 certainly hasn’t been “rushed into production”, and many components are indeed NOT manufactured in the U.S., that’s in part the “global economy”, but also Boeing’s antipathy toward union labor has certainly increased, and exported jobs over the last couple decades.
Even despite the battery problem, the redundancy in civilian aircraft should NOT be done away with for “cost cutting”. I think I’d still rather fly a 787 than an A-380. Well, I’d rather fly on the Wright flyer than an A-380, but that’s another matter.
i flew the 787 four times last year (before it was grounded). i’ve flown almost 1 million miles in the last 10 years. The Dreamliner is a WONDERFUL aircraft.
Coming off a 747 flight from New Zealand at LAX was plenty bad enough! I did find it interesting how competent the TSA folks there, with our international flights were, compared to the smaller airports on domestic flights.
Dtroutma about 11 years ago
Boeing’s ongoing nightmare. From faulty laminates on up the line.
Motivemagus about 11 years ago
Check out the history of the 747 by comparison. That was the plane that was going to sink Boeing, and it became the most successful plane in the world — after a rough start.
edward thomas Premium Member about 11 years ago
I think ’mater’s gonna need some help!
frodo1008 about 11 years ago
Bowing certainly has the monetary resources to build its own batteries right here in America, using American labor and expertise.
There are several reasons why manufacturing is making a general come back right here in America.
One of the more ethereal and therefore harder to define reasons is patriotism itself. But, it is one of the reasons that both liberals and conservatives can get behind. Especially as the US was the greatest manufacturing nation the world had ever seen at one time, and that was the main reason why the US was the Arsenal of Democracy that was the main factor in the allies winning WWII!
Another more practical reason is the constantly increasing cost of shipping. It is certainly a lot less expensive to ship manufactured goods across a state or even a city that it is half way around the world!
And finally, there is the major issue in this case. And that is the very important issue of quality assurance (or quality control to the less educated in this important area). It is a whole lot easier to both establish and maintain quality assurance on manufactured products right here in the USA close to the places where the actual industry is located than it is to use outsourced companies throughout the world.
Yes, it probably costs a little more initially, but in the long run, and capital products such as either the automobile industry or aerospace industries produce are absolutely long term products. In the long run it is not only less expensive but a lot better on the all important reputation to manufacture right here in the good old USA, using the best and most productive workers in the world, than it is to outsources such important products!!
Peabody-Martini about 11 years ago
Recalling a bit of history might be useful here. This isn’t the first time Boeing had had problems with new aircraft, not by a long shot. Human error mixed with a factory defect in the then brand new 767 resulted in the infamous “Gimli Glider” incident where an Air Canada flight lost both engines and electricity. At least the fire in Boston didn’t happen at 26,000 feet.
Dtroutma about 11 years ago
The 787 certainly hasn’t been “rushed into production”, and many components are indeed NOT manufactured in the U.S., that’s in part the “global economy”, but also Boeing’s antipathy toward union labor has certainly increased, and exported jobs over the last couple decades.
Even despite the battery problem, the redundancy in civilian aircraft should NOT be done away with for “cost cutting”. I think I’d still rather fly a 787 than an A-380. Well, I’d rather fly on the Wright flyer than an A-380, but that’s another matter.
dannysixpack about 11 years ago
i flew the 787 four times last year (before it was grounded). i’ve flown almost 1 million miles in the last 10 years. The Dreamliner is a WONDERFUL aircraft.
Dtroutma about 11 years ago
Coming off a 747 flight from New Zealand at LAX was plenty bad enough! I did find it interesting how competent the TSA folks there, with our international flights were, compared to the smaller airports on domestic flights.