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I’m no MBA or aerospace engineer, but why sub-contract the fuselage? I get subbing engines, since engine designs can be used on/adapted to other (possibly non-B

I’m no MBA or aerospace engineer, but why sub-contract the fuselage? I get subbing engines, since engine designs can be used on/adapted to other (possibly non-Boeing) airframes, hence opening up economies of scale, etc. But the fuselage is most of the plane by mass and integral to the design of everything else. If you don’t like making fuselages, maybe you should get out of the aircraft business. Was this just a union-busting thing?

applied_heat 3y ago
Spirit was spun out of Boeing
- mcbain 3y ago
  I don't always love the video format but Mentour talked about Spirit, Boeing, and the 737 MAX a few months ago: https://youtu.be/SmJgweFmoxs https://youtu.be/SmJgweFmoxs The discussion about snowman hole issues and other problems is really alarming.
Scoundreller 3y ago
Engines are weirder. My understanding is that the airline specs out what the engine requirements are, and any engine manufacturer is allowed to try to meet that requirement. Customers get to decide which engine to fit and negotiate for them separately from the aircraft. Sometimes there's only one choice, but other times gives you a chance to have the same (or similar) engine to maintain across your fleet (or avoid that to avoid a total grounding) and whatever other reasons to choose one over the other. At least that's what the A380 tour in Toulouse said. Kinda makes sense to at least keep the big aircraft builders from throwing too much of their weight around.
lotsofpulp 3y ago
>Was this just a union-busting thing? Yes, and to lower compensation because Boeing’s benefits are probably better than Spirits, and so if Boeing wants to pay the people that make the fuselage less, then having them be employed by someone else helps them pass non discrimination testing for pre tax benefits offered to Boeing’s higher compensated employees. Also, lower unemployment insurance premiums if they want to reduce the amount of labor they buy, since Spirit would be the one laying people off.
mike50 3y ago
Boeing sold the division that makes the fuselages. Could have been for any number of reasons.

applied_heat 3y ago

Spirit was spun out of Boeing

mcbain 3y ago
I don't always love the video format but Mentour talked about Spirit, Boeing, and the 737 MAX a few months ago: https://youtu.be/SmJgweFmoxs https://youtu.be/SmJgweFmoxs The discussion about snowman hole issues and other problems is really alarming.

Scoundreller 3y ago

Engines are weirder. My understanding is that the airline specs out what the engine requirements are, and any engine manufacturer is allowed to try to meet that requirement. Customers get to decide which engine to fit and negotiate for them separately from the aircraft. Sometimes there's only one choice, but other times gives you a chance to have the same (or similar) engine to maintain across your fleet (or avoid that to avoid a total grounding) and whatever other reasons to choose one over the other. At least that's what the A380 tour in Toulouse said. Kinda makes sense to at least keep the big aircraft builders from throwing too much of their weight around.

lotsofpulp 3y ago

>Was this just a union-busting thing? Yes, and to lower compensation because Boeing’s benefits are probably better than Spirits, and so if Boeing wants to pay the people that make the fuselage less, then having them be employed by someone else helps them pass non discrimination testing for pre tax benefits offered to Boeing’s higher compensated employees. Also, lower unemployment insurance premiums if they want to reduce the amount of labor they buy, since Spirit would be the one laying people off.

mike50 3y ago

Boeing sold the division that makes the fuselages. Could have been for any number of reasons.