Not so fast, Airbus!

[flyguy75000]

I respect your opinion, and I am extremely grateful and appreciative of the fact that every one of you that has put yourselves and your families on the line to defend this country.

But the 5000 jobs this is going to create in South Carolina and Alabama is miniscule compared to the 30,000 jobs that will be saved and created if the work is done here. I don't know the safety record of the KC-135, but I haven't heard of any concerns due to severe issues with the current Boeing refueling aircraft (again, I'm not military), nor have I heard of any just randomly dropping out of the sky. However, I work with two tanker guys and they are nothing short of disgusted and upset that our great ally (sarcasm), France, has gotten the nod to supply the greatest military in the world with its new equipment.

My opinion may not mean much, but I have money taken out of my paycheck every two weeks to pay for such invaluable things like a tanker, like 400 million other Americans, and I think we do have the right to voice our opinions. Which is what the politicians have been elected by us to do (whether they do it or not is a whole different discussion).

Regardless of the outcome, I thank all of you for your service to keeping the rest of us and the free world safe. God Bless.

 

[Cobra17]

The GAO sided with Boeing and faulted the Air Force for skewing the selection process in favor of Airbus. How is that Boeing's fault?

Nothing against Airbus, but the B-52 and KC-135 have been around for a few years...I think Boeing has a pretty good track record for long term reliability.

 

[CrewDawg]

-Flyguy-

WOW......I just reread my post and it looks as if I am directing my comments at you. I apologize, that was not the case, I quoted you mainly for the links I provided. The rest of my post was more venting than anything (sorry, bad day).

I am with you I think the jobs should be right here in America. I too, am not a big fan of France and was disgusted when I found out Airbus won the contract. I sure would love to see a Boeing replacement!

 

[CrewDawg]

Double Post

 

[DaveGriffin]

Agree'd. Boeing screws themselves first with scandal and greed, then delivers a lesser product during an objective competition... and has the gaul to cry foul. Meanwhile the end user and war fighter continues to get screwed. Sorry.. but F_CK YOU Boeing.

Read the opinion SIG. The GAO wasn't critical of Airbus and they didn't say Boeing was better. They were simply critical of the AF evaluation and selction process. Don't take it out on Boeing if the AF process is f...d up.

It is a bad situation that our war fighters will go without the new tankers we need for many years. It ain't Boeing's fault, it is the fault of our AF that was run, until recently, by prima donna General Officer fighter pukes. Their only concern is one thing, the perpetuation of the AF fighter pilot culture, not winning wars.

 

[Oh-ryan]

I'm not a military guy...but as a citizen and taxpayer I think it is appalling that the Air Force has the balls to send all those jobs and $35 billion to Europe when our economy is in the shape it is, and getting worse. It may not solve the problem, but it can only make it much much worse. Maybe there have been scandals, that Air Force officials were ALSO guilty of, but it that really reason to give Airbus the contract? Those involved are all in jail. How about the American taxpayers/workers in Wichita, KS or Everett, WA? Do they deserve to be punished and lose their jobs to "make an example" out of a company? Do you think Jean-Luc the riveter in Toulouse is going to come to Disney World on his next vacation?

Think a little more about what this means to AMERICA.

As a taxpayer myself I don't care who makes the fargin thing so long as I get my money's worth and the military gets the best product. This is not a jobs program or some kind of "New Deal" for the 21st century.

 

[KCPilot]

I fly tankers, let the ones who know decide.

I flew tankers and now I'm on the 757/767. I'm with PreContact.

Furthermore IMO I think the AF should go ask the Guard and Res guys and get an opinion. They probably have more time flying the KC-135 over most AD guys and would have a good outlook on Boeing and Airbus since some fly those for their "other" job.

 

[SIG600]

I am with you I think the jobs should be right here in America. I too, am not a big fan of France and was disgusted when I found out Airbus won the contract. I sure would love to see a Boeing replacement!

I sure would love to see the bureaucracy end, and the war fighter get the most capable replacement for the money.

 

[Benhuntn]

Yeah, ask the guard and res. guys....give me a break. As a guy that flew tankers 15 yrs on ACTIVE duty I would side with Boeing as the tanker maker. The KC-30 is to big to operate out of most potential airfields.

 

[Cobra17]

Yeah, ask the guard and res. guys....give me a break. As a guy that flew tankers 15 yrs on ACTIVE duty...

Impressive. In a guard and reserve unit, you would be referred to as "the new guy"

 

[DOVPILOT]

FUKK Airbus, my tax dollars should go to an American co., period.

 

["Luke"]

http://www.patricksaviation.com/videos/amirtomcat/3232/

How about bringing back the KC-747!

 

[DaveGriffin]

Impressive. In a guard and reserve unit, you would be referred to as "the new guy"

Guard and Reserve guys always think they are cooler than they really are.

 

[Benhuntn]

Yeah right I am the new guy working 7 days a week and they are the old heads working 2 days a month and two weeks a summer.....

 

[KCPilot]

Yeah right I am the new guy working 7 days a week and they are the old heads working 2 days a month and two weeks a summer.....

Which Guard/Res unit are you talking about?