Originally Posted by
Bond
You guys have a habit of mistaken patriotism with global economics. The 380 just as the 787 are global products. I guarantee you when the 787 comes out it will have it's problems, just as the E190 did, just as the 320 did, just as the 777 did, it's awful ignorant for some of you folks to think that one manufacturer is better than the other.
Here's a thought for you "if it's not a boeing I'm not going" types, competition is a great thing. If it wasn't for the 330, there probably wouldn't be a 787; conversely if it wasn't for the 787 there would not be a 350, and so on. Both companies continue to push each other to develop better more competitive products, and we the pilots, the passengers, and the airlines continue to benefit from these advances.
I am a big fan of both companies, as both have brought great things to this industry, but if it wasn't for competition, boeing would be serving us the same 737 or airbus the 310 with a different name for the next 30 years.
It's funny how you never see the same consumer ethnocentrism when it comes to Automobiles.
I think it's cos most Americans know we can't teach the Europeans anything about building cars!
American cars are considered a joke in Europe. I'm sorry to say I doubt we'll ever produce anything close to the performance or build quality of European cars.
Shame I have to keep buying German cars cos the crap that comes out of Detroit is for old ladies.
As for the Airbus A380, it's been in service for over a year. I'm still waiting to see the much delayed first flight test of the B787.
The B787 will be a great aircraft. It hasn't been free of problems and more will follow. That's the nature of the beast. No point in taking pot shots at the competition.
One of the first rules of competition is; don't underestimate the competition. Unfortunately, Boeing did just that with Airbus.
AL