I'm glad to see something similar to a market for this type of software - I'm tired of Microsoft dominating the market with quirky software and tons of cash..... I love firefox and would never consider a microsoft browser again. If google can put more pressure on the market and make all of them better I'd be very happy and support Google for doing it. I would also love to see Mozilla or Google come up with a full operating system as well for the PC. Can't stand Microsofts quirks and hate upgrading every other year just to be disappointed again........

The engines used on the 747-8 are the same used for the 787, a goal of 12% improvement and reality of 16% are pretty big. It will be some time to prove a new fuel technology for air travel even if the promises are turning out to be right. Unlike a car having problems using an alternative fuel, an airliner can't simply pull off to the side of the road and walk to the nearest gas station or call a tow truck. Boeing provides a great deal of redundant systems in their aircraft to avoid critical failure but unreliable fuel is something the best engineering minds would have a hard time overcoming? I believe it shows real possibilities and we could see it as a reality in a decade or so, possibly something that could be designed into the next version of the 737? Just my opinion but reliability on the fuel must be proven beyond any reasonable doubt before it could enter the commercial aviation market? It's possible the military will perfect it (having no regulations concerning civilian safety) but that's also just a guess to bring it to market faster? Boeing is only one corporation researching this fuel, several others are as well.

All it took was one Boeing employee in the build process (instead of lowest cost labor) of those defective "connectors" to have recognized the problem and halted the system before it became a huge problem like it is now...... Cheaper isn't always better Boeing........

Agreed, considering what the IAM just went through I think the SPEEA members will think it over a little harder. I'm not inclined to think the SPEEA members are spineless and will simply will not strike (for any reason) but they will assess their position better than the IAM did and draw a much better line over what is worth striking over? I support them either way they choose and I assume the negotiators of SPEEA will be far more direct over demands they may have concerning their benefits/wage packages? I believe a strike will ultimately be avoided in the end.

I must admit I can't argue with your reasoning? I do see a good deal of true "dead weight" I'm sure Boeing would love to get rid of.

I would question the Everett division being shut down in any circumstance. The 787 could very well have been built somewhere else and (considering the circumstances currently) been ever worse off than it currently is, quite possibly a total failure? The Unions are the real reason why that program hasn't sunk Boeing's BCA division at this point. Throwing money at it hasn't changed a thing.... only the (experienced) Union employees have kept that program afloat thus far. The legacy programs (Aluminum Bodies) will stay in the area for some time to come. Boeing is irritated by the Actions of the IAM and for good reason - you can't avoid hard feelings during or after a strike? Common sense will tell you that, there could very well be another 787 line established outside the Puget Sound but half of that work will stay here for the time being.... If Boeing decided to up and move now (effectively giving the high hat to the States tax breaks) do you really think other state governments will be able to hold Boeing at face value? I doubt it.... these people get elected and can't just "stay out of the media" the same way Boeing Executives can? $3.2 Billion in Tax incentives don't grow an trees and it's placing politicians necks on the chopping block to risk that much capitol without a level return. The 737 will be the likely program to be escorted out of the area in the near future based strictly on the announcement it will be the next airframe to undergo a major overhaul? The Future is unknown for new aircraft development in the Puget Sound but the legacy programs are here to stay till they die out.

"Centralization" came from the Boeing/McDonnell-Douglas merger, The main portions of the Defense side of McD-D are in the midwest and with the merger the BOD felt it was in its best interests to begin on neutral ground integrating both corporations - irregardless of what the Unions were doing the move was going to happen - it had a strong business case and backing from the BOD. The public needs to also look at the larger picture in that most of these things that have come to pass would have happened with or without Unions striking or even existing? Being Centrally located in the center of the United States would have been the ultimate goal, however without a major metropolis and the proximity to the St. Louis IDS locations there they would have been moving from the BCA headquarters to the IDS headquarters and would have defeated the purpose of neutral ground? Integrating McDonnell-Douglas Space and Defense systems made the HQ move a requirement, not due to a "better deal" as your comment suggests........

Boeing has turned the process of building the aircraft on its head again... what I mean is they have incorporated (without input from the mechanics) new process steps and bureaucratic B.S. and red tape that has kept the building of aircraft at a halt or a slow trickle until they figure out how the new processes and requirements work? More micro-managing and unrequired hoops to jump through, he'll be idle for a while? Typical for Boeing Management..... if it's not broke, fix it till it is........

These were vendor installed fasteners and not the employees at Boeing. There were not only wrong fasteners installed but also the process of installing fasteners (another completely different issue) were not followed by the vendor therefore making the good fasteners suspect to critical failure over time. LOL - Outsourcing...... "the future of manufacturing"

I'll follow up with that as well to say earlier in another post I have stated my disgust with strikes in general anymore? It seems like there is no real benefit from them other than the time off, the overall cost to Boeing of the contracts wage/benefits never go higher than the initial offer and as everyone here can see, the bad blood flows without end in sight? Obviously there are people to be despised as scabs, the people you describe here are not these type of people and the membership should know well enough their reasons for doing what is best for their families. I'm actually waiting for many of the members to become informed about Unions in Washington State and start rebelling against these types of radical statements and opinions? Even though these people try to isolate these individuals and shame them for what they have done, I expect many will begin to bow out of the Union and no longer worry about these types of tactics? A Union is what it's members make it, if people do not wish to belong to it because of what it is they have options if they choose not to participate? One of the people I know is quite convinced he will never be an active part of this Union again.... He is now an objector and will not be held liable for the actions of the Union, for those out there disgusted with the Union, it is an avenue to explore....

Woodinville, I have addressed this before and will say it again - not all IAM members are like this. Solidarity is key in a strike, but I will never ask anyone to be put in a greater hardship than another during a strike? We are equal as members and equals on the line. If myself (cancer) or god forbid my wife and kid were involved in something like that I would expect people to understand it. Not just hope..... Anyone in these situations, must endure far more hardship than anyone simply on strike? It's one thing to ask someone to endure the same hardship as everyone else - it's quite another for someone to endure far more than anyone else, "just because"....... I applaud your friends and hope things turn out well for them, which locations do they work? I'll keep an ear out for donations.....