Boeing, Airbus, and Survivor
I see that the new A380 is getting ready for flight testing. In truth, I'd be happier, even ecstatic if it were a Boeing product. There's something very cool about pushing limits, and making the biggest commercial airplane is a great milestone for aviation. But as a patriotic American, I really wish it had been Boeing that had made the airplane, as it would have helped me feel good about America's ability to push limits and maximize our potential as a body politic.
But in truth, we really can't take anything away from Airbus, can we? If you think about it, the more jealous & disappointed I am that Boeing didn't do it is in direct relationship to the level of accomplishment the Europeans have made - e.g. if it weren't a big deal I wouldn't feel so bad.
I have to come clean at this and give my sincerest heartfelt congratulations to all the folks at Airbus for making an outstanding airplane, for dreaming big and pushing the boundries of what is possible that much further out. As an airplane freak, I really do hope it's successful, and can't wait to ride on one and see how it turns out. Perhaps somebody with influence at Airbus can arrange for me a free flight on one so I can gush about the experience. :) OK, it's got a snowball's chance, but I can dream can't I?
Of course, the more successful Airbus is the more embarassing it is to see Boeing brass talking about being hard-working and ethical and all, and pushing their people to do more with less, but then we see them fornicating around, partying, and just plain being egotistical. I remember reading once a customer's account of the difference between Boeing and Airbus. When they asked as part of the deal for some simulator time, the Boeing person basically said "We'll get back to you on that" and left them hanging (never did call back it seems). But Airbus quickly agreed to provide the resources necessary to help their customer.
So, what does this all have to do with Survivor? I think the lessons are the same:
If you don't want it bad enough, you'll fail. Yesterday Ulong lost the immunity challenge again, making them the first tribe to have gone this far without ever having one immunity. Jeff Probst (the host) really grilled them about what when wrong. Specifically all of Koror's team members went into instant action, two making their fortress and two retrieving supplies. But at Ulong, Ibrehem waded out into the water then did nothing while James stood around trying to tie his skirt-thing. As Jeff said: they lost the challenge because of their actions in the first three minutes. One would think that after losing so often and needing a win they would be working harder than Koror, but such was not the case. It seems the same thing is happening at Boeing, they're just not trying hard enough at the top levels of management to succeed.
I think Boeing's saving grace is that there are a lot of talented, hard working little people that make up for the exec's blunders. The new version of the 737 that's being proposed (220 seats) is a good example. But it makes one wonder just how much better Boeing would be if the top folks were as good as the ones below them.
Perhaps it's like the Dilbert cartoon, where the boss is extolling everyone to only hire people smarter than they are. The comment from the floor is that if this is consistantly done, the person at the top will be the stupidest person in the company. :)
But in truth, we really can't take anything away from Airbus, can we? If you think about it, the more jealous & disappointed I am that Boeing didn't do it is in direct relationship to the level of accomplishment the Europeans have made - e.g. if it weren't a big deal I wouldn't feel so bad.
I have to come clean at this and give my sincerest heartfelt congratulations to all the folks at Airbus for making an outstanding airplane, for dreaming big and pushing the boundries of what is possible that much further out. As an airplane freak, I really do hope it's successful, and can't wait to ride on one and see how it turns out. Perhaps somebody with influence at Airbus can arrange for me a free flight on one so I can gush about the experience. :) OK, it's got a snowball's chance, but I can dream can't I?
Of course, the more successful Airbus is the more embarassing it is to see Boeing brass talking about being hard-working and ethical and all, and pushing their people to do more with less, but then we see them fornicating around, partying, and just plain being egotistical. I remember reading once a customer's account of the difference between Boeing and Airbus. When they asked as part of the deal for some simulator time, the Boeing person basically said "We'll get back to you on that" and left them hanging (never did call back it seems). But Airbus quickly agreed to provide the resources necessary to help their customer.
So, what does this all have to do with Survivor? I think the lessons are the same:
If you don't want it bad enough, you'll fail. Yesterday Ulong lost the immunity challenge again, making them the first tribe to have gone this far without ever having one immunity. Jeff Probst (the host) really grilled them about what when wrong. Specifically all of Koror's team members went into instant action, two making their fortress and two retrieving supplies. But at Ulong, Ibrehem waded out into the water then did nothing while James stood around trying to tie his skirt-thing. As Jeff said: they lost the challenge because of their actions in the first three minutes. One would think that after losing so often and needing a win they would be working harder than Koror, but such was not the case. It seems the same thing is happening at Boeing, they're just not trying hard enough at the top levels of management to succeed.
I think Boeing's saving grace is that there are a lot of talented, hard working little people that make up for the exec's blunders. The new version of the 737 that's being proposed (220 seats) is a good example. But it makes one wonder just how much better Boeing would be if the top folks were as good as the ones below them.
Perhaps it's like the Dilbert cartoon, where the boss is extolling everyone to only hire people smarter than they are. The comment from the floor is that if this is consistantly done, the person at the top will be the stupidest person in the company. :)
posted by Daetrin at 9:25 AM
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