David J. Danto
Travel thoughts in my
own, personal opinion
eMail: ddanto@IMCCA.org Follow Industry News: @NJDavidD on all 
Boeing…..again– August 2024
I and many others can remember the time when Boeing was the crown jewel
of American engineering, known for its excellence in designing the planes that
powered the global aviation industry. But, after the merger with Douglas, greed
took the driver's seat, and Boeing's reputation and quality both took a
nosedive. I’ve discussed these issues in past blogs, addressing how unchecked
avarice led to catastrophic missteps in both management and production. Fast
forward to today, and the situation remains dire, with major setbacks
continuing to plague the company—yet there may be a reason for some hope on the
horizon.
One of
Boeing's most publicized recent blunders is the ongoing crisis with its
Starliner program. Astronauts that are currently aboard the ISS, relying on
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft for their return, may remain stuck there until
February 2025 due to continued delays and technical issues. In a move that
speaks volumes about Boeing’s diminished reputation in the space race, NASA is
now considering utilizing a SpaceX capsule to rescue them. The company that
once led the charge in aerospace innovation now finds itself needing its
competitor to clean up its mess.
On the
commercial aviation side, things aren't any better. Boeing’s latest 777X
aircraft has been grounded after cracks were discovered in the engine mounts,
an issue that has brought production to a halt. This new aircraft, which was
supposed to represent the future of long-haul air travel, has instead become just
another symbol of Boeing’s growing quality control problems. These incidents and
the many other recent ones reflect a company more focused on meeting
shareholder demands than ensuring the safety and reliability of its products. This is the exact opposite of who Boeing was
for decades.
However,
Boeing has taken a hopeful step with the appointment of Robert
"Kelly" Ortberg as the new CEO, effective August 8, 2024. Ortberg, a
seasoned aerospace engineer and former CEO of Rockwell Collins, was chosen to
replace Dave Calhoun in what many see as a pivotal moment for the company.
Ortberg’s engineering background is seen as crucial for navigating Boeing
through its current storm of challenges, including restoring safety standards
and rebuilding trust with regulators and customers alike.
Ortberg
brings with him a reputation for fostering strong teams and driving engineering
excellence, qualities that Boeing desperately needs right now. His past success
in leading Rockwell Collins through a merger with United Technologies, and his
experience overseeing complex engineering projects, suggest that he might be
the right person to pivot Boeing away from its “money-first” mentality and back
toward a focus on quality and innovation. We can only hope he throws out everything
that has happened since the merger. A
great first step would be moving the company’s HQ back to the manufacturing
site in Seattle. The focus on the money
side of the firm and away from the quality engineering side of the firm was the
root of all of the crises of today.
Boeing’s
next chapter will be defined by whether Ortberg can steer the company back to
its engineering-driven roots. The aerospace giant has a long way to go to
regain the trust of the public, its customers, and the regulators. But with a
new leader committed to returning Boeing to its former greatness, there may be
a glimmer of hope in what has otherwise been a bleak period for the company.
Let’s
hope that under Ortberg’s leadership, Boeing can leave behind the dark days of
greed and cost-cutting, and once again rise to be a leader in aerospace, driven
by innovation and safety—not just profits.
Or, at the very least, lets hope he can bring the stranded astronauts
home without something else breaking or falling apart.
Also, p
This article was written by David Danto and contains solely his own, personal
opinions.
All image and links provided above as reference under
prevailing fair use statutes.
Copyright 2024 David Danto
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As always, feel free to write and comment, question or
disagree. Hearing from the traveling
community is always a highlight for me.
Thanks!