Originally Posted by
CGfalconHerc
It's important to the locals in SEA. That's why AS is "proudly all Boeing". I think we'd be foolish not to become "the biggest 787 operator out of SEA", which would help with gate acquisition and a new customs facility. We'd fly 330's and 350's out of SEA too, but I think the 787 has a lot of "intangible" qualities beyond price and performance.
I was thinking about your post, and I agree it's not as simple as ignoring those issues. We ARE fighting Boeing very hard on the Exim bank, the end of which they're labeling "armageddon". We ARE fighting Alaska on their own turf.
This is all legitimate, of course. Boeing IS asking our government to use our own money to subsidize competitors, and Alaska made their bed this way. But maybe it doesn't play too well with part of the population. It would be silly not to be cognizant of these issues. Building up Seattle with Airbus products could play poorly. Which is ironic, considering Boeing itself has let Seattle down rather badly with their headquarters move, and assembly line decisions.
End of the day, however, I think the Seattle public will appreciate the competition, and the extra options.