Worth reading up on the DC10. After the first disaster, orders rapidly dried up and never rose again from <50% of earlier figures. After the second catastrophe, the plane was dead in the water and soon discontinued. Yes, they kept on flying, after major modifications forced by a (trusted in those days) FAA. But most ended their careers with major carriers prematurely. So yes, I'm guessing many people preferred not to fly DC10.

(Written on 2020年 02月 03日)(Permalink)

Trust me, most businesses would be more than happy with a monopoly. Not that it's going to happen in this case.

(Written on 2020年 02月 01日)(Permalink)

The Grammar Police Gene is strong in these two ;-)

(Written on 2020年 01月 31日)(Permalink)

Very different. Two crashes, and an unsuccessful attempt to blame it on pilot error, a 'too close' relationship with the FAA, and a multitude of cover-ups. Doesn't mean the MAX won't bounce back. But it won't be as easy as you seem to think.

(Written on 2020年 01月 31日)(Permalink)

It's not about reinstating retired planes - that would be horrendously expensive - it's about scouring the market for used but still unretired planes, and deferring their own 737 retirements. The downside is that everyone else has been doing this for 6 months, so they aren't freely available, or cheap. Other 737 airlines have been keeping them flying for their own MAX replacement reasons, or leasing them to fill the gaps. Southwest has been 'overly loyal' to Boeing - probably on the basis of Boeing saying "we'll pay back whatever it costs you". Loyalty in business does not come cheap. But when it looks like stretching the bottom line is becoming suicidal, Southwest has to put its own future first. Oh, and it needs to return the customer loyalty, too.

(Written on 2020年 01月 31日)(Permalink)

We need you, Don Quixote, to fly the MAX once it's fixed. Nothing like blind loyalty to overcome the risks of taking the first few MAX flights. Thank you!

(Written on 2020年 01月 31日)(Permalink)

Interesting that so far, Southwest has remained loyal to Boeing, even to the extent of severely inconveniencing their passengers. The reality is, that even if the MAX is OKed this summer, it'll be months before all those Maxs sitting around will be cleared to fly. Sooner or later, Southwest - and others - will have to examine their loyalty to the shareholder, and start looking for used A32xs, at least temporarily, to get their schedule back in shape. Having waited so long, few 737s are available and I'm guessing they ain't cheap. And eventually, Southwest will need to look past their loyalty to Boeing and their loyalty to shareholders, and consider their loyalty to their customers - who have been totally loyal to them. While there are advantages to being a 'one plane company', there are also advantages in having the flexibility of a mixed fleet. Its gonna be fun.

(Written on 2020年 01月 31日)(Permalink)

Stupid, ignorant article by a man who doesn't have a clue about economics. 1. American-built planes are not subject to tariffs. They just aren't. 2. A320, A321, A220 are all built at Mobile, providing thousands of well-paid, skilled jobs. Alabama ain't stupid. 3. Airbus is currently considering a new line at Mobile for A350s. Coincidence? Wishful thinking by a poorly informed Airbus-hater.

(Written on 2020年 01月 10日)(Permalink)

Freddie laker, famous 'no frills' DC10 user, was caught using a fork-lift truck to remove/install engines, to save cash. Got off with lightly slapped wrist.

(Written on 2019年 12月 21日)(Permalink)

And that is exactly the point: though an excellent, experienced pilot might have saved those planes, the design errors were there, and the information pilots were receiving was flawed and contradictory. I'm sure plenty of fully qualified, but relatively inexperienced American pilots would have made the same 'errors'. And aren't we always being told how easy it is to fly modern airplanes?

(Written on 2019年 12月 21日)(Permalink)