“MACK DADDY PROBLEMS”
S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley likes to brag about how her state builds “Mack Daddy planes,” but those planes remain grounded this week due to some ongoing “Mack Daddy problems.”
In fact Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner continues to be a nightmare for the Chicago-based aircraft manufacturer – the latest chapter being the global grounding of this next generation, fuel-efficient jet due to a rash of various issues.
The most serious of these issues? Problems with the plane’s lithium batteries – which appear to have caused a fire on one aircraft (operated by Japan Airlines) and forced a second aircraft (operated by All-Nippon Airlines) to make an emergency landing due to overheating.
South Carolina workers manufacture 787s at a facility in North Charleston – and are continuing to build the jets despite the global grounding. Thusfar only four of the fifty Dreamliners in service were built in the Palmetto State – and none of those planes have experienced any serious problems.
At least not yet.
Still, the investigation into the Dreamliner’s latest woes is being watched very closely by South Carolina taxpayers – who sunk an estimated $900 million into the company three years ago and thus far have very little to show for that investment.
Originally scheduled for delivery in May of 2008, numerous design, supply and delivery issues pushed Dreamliner’s deadline back more than three years – causing numerous cancellations and ramping up pressure on the company to make the plane profitable.
The North Charleston facility – which employs roughly 6,000 workers – turned out its first Dreamliner last April. By the end of this year the plant is supposed to be cranking out three of the $207 million jets every month.
Yet while it “won” the Dreamliner business, the Palmetto State lost out on its bid to build Boeing 737 Max planes – part of Boeing’s corrupt bargain with its labor union.
In addition to its massive state incentives package, Boeing also receives subsidies from the federal government via the U.S. Export-Import Bank, which gives foreign airlines a taxpayer-funded competitive advantage over U.S. carriers. The company also makes billions of dollars a year on defense contracts.
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17 comments
Wow! I’m impressed Will. A new post at this hour. You’re obviously working overtime to improve the blog/site and increase your edge on everyone else. And I’m glad you did, because it gives me an excellent place to offer the following.
Notice to all who care: This will be my last comment on FITSNews for the near future. It’s been a good run and I’ve enjoyed the hell out of it. Now it’s time to take what I do to another level. I’m taking the crazy and the “shocking” to my entertainment gigs and the more serious stuff to wherever it needs to go.
No, I’m not starting my own blog. I’ll be doing press releases, syndicating opinion pieces, etc. Mainly focused on the Grand Strand / Long Bay / Upper LowCountry / SC7 issues – and sometimes those of the state of SC, the USA and beyond. Hopefully some of that content will be published here – and maybe an occasional op ed will be accepted for these pages. That would indeed be, in my opinion, A Good Thing. I say that because frankly, FITSNews is where that kind of thing needs to be in order to be seen, if you’re in South Carolina.
Am I kissing Will’s ass by saying that? Nah! You can think that if if pleases you, but if you do you’re dead wrong. It’s just the the fuckin’ truth.
‘Bye for now, y’all!
Boz: I’m glad you have an ambition. And there is a need for real, alternative thought to all the Cliches.
But Bashing people in power w/ tired claims and anti-everything attacks is abundant.
Offer something unique and there is a needy market.
But to do that you have to serve Conservatives. And that takes insight, intelligence and creativity…FITS touches on it, but it’s rare…but it’s powerful when he does…
I’m about the only person I know that could REALLY do it consistently. And I’m too busy w/ other commitments.
A lot of people post on here who “Wanna-Be”…but not many are brave enough, with the intellect, to BE it.
But Bashing people in power w/ tired claims and anti-everything attacks is abundant
Wow….hard to believe you wrote that because I know you don’t believe it.
Good luck to you.
Happy trails – and hope Sic posts some of your articles here.
I think Mrs. Sic must be keeping him busy during the day, or else keeping him up late at night (lucky him!).
Good luck to you Boz.
“I’m about the only person I know that could REALLY do it consistently. And I’m too busy w/ other commitments.”
Shouldn’t that read “…I’m too busy with w/ other’s comments”?
Damn Boz, I’m going to miss your posts. All politics aside you are one excellent writer. Top of your game, my friend. How about an email so I can keep up with you. Thanks!
Duh. I see your @ tweet. I’m following you. :-)
Remember: If you vote for Tom Davis or Sanford…you are supporting FITS thought…
FITS HATES anything (BOEING, Amazon, Continental Tire) that helps South Carolina workers (families) get jobs…
Even bad leaders (Obama) are samrt enough to brag about jobs (even though Obama has failed miserably there)…
FITS hates for SC people to get jobs…and you have surmise Tom Davis and Sanford hate for us to have jobs, too….
“None of the broken planes came from SC, but dammit, I’m watching!”
Can anyone say witch hunt? Do we give BMW this kind of treatment? Damn!
I am waiting for Sic Willie to say, “Since being convicted of CDV I have not committed this crime again…..At least not yet”.
Re: CDV – not relevant here any more.
Where did Boeing design the planes – the issue is probably not in the manufacture / fabrication of the plane – it is probably a design issue and if other reports are true that the batteries may be getting too much voltage, more than likely a simple voltage regulator in the circuit should settle the issue – I am sure that the Boeing engineers are working overtime to try to recreate the defect and then fix the issue. Does not sound like a mechanical flaw unless there is an issue with the lithium battery design itself.
Where did Boeing design the planes – the issue is probably not in the manufacture / fabrication of the plane – it is probably a design issue and if other reports are true that the batteries may be getting too much voltage, more than likely a simple voltage regulator in the circuit should settle the issue – I am sure that the Boeing engineers are working overtime to try to recreate the defect and then fix the issue. Does not sound like a mechanical flaw unless there is an issue with the lithium battery design itself.
These are really not “problems.” It’s a sweepstakes.