As Boeing Commercial Airplanes starts increasing production for the first time in nearly a decade, people inside the company are looking over their shoulders at the traumatic memories of 1997.
That was a year that should have been a bonanza for Boeing, with one of its largest order books of aircraft in its history. Instead, the year turned into a debacle, as the company ran into shortages of critical parts, had to halt its 737 and 747 lines for weeks, and took more than $2 billion in charges to cover the added costs.
It should be noted that Boeing is gearing up for 395 planes not the 527 a year they were doing pre-9/11. Still good news for the aviation industry. Economies of scale improve the larger the scale, and this should make Boeing more competitive. It also is going to be a test for scaling up the 787 production line.
Lightsaber From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 10892 posts, RR: 100 Reply 1, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 1748 times:
Quoting AirFrnt (Thread starter): Economies of scale improve the larger the scale, and this should make Boeing more competitive.
So true, until the factories are at too much overtime. However, Boeing has quite a few lines that could be sped up: 747, 777, and the conversion of the 757 line to 737 production.
I expect with oil at today's prices that the average life of an airliner will drop from 30 to 35 years down to 25 years. Just my "hip shot."
N908AW From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 848 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 1646 times:
Quoting Lightsaber (Reply 1): I expect with oil at today's prices that the average life of an airliner will drop from 30 to 35 years down to 25 years. Just my "hip shot."
??? I would think it'd be longer. Airlines don't want to create another expenditure in addition to fuel by replacing.
'Cause you're on ATA again, and on ATA, you're on vacation!
Cadet57 From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 9081 posts, RR: 34 Reply 3, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 1532 times:
Quoting Lightsaber (Reply 1): I expect with oil at today's prices that the average life of an airliner will drop from 30 to 35 years down to 25 years. Just my "hip shot."
Ummm, what? With the advent of todays more fuel efficient engines, and composite materials ac will be around longer and they'll be cheaper...
Doors open, right hand side, next stop is Springfield.
Areopagus From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 1357 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (7 years 7 months 2 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 1389 times:
Quoting Cadet57 (Reply 3): Ummm, what? With the advent of todays more fuel efficient engines, and composite materials ac will be around longer and they'll be cheaper...
When they are fresh off the production line, they reduce the average fleet age.
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From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2779 posts, 
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