Boeing 787 Makes US Debut 317
thomas.kane writes "After years of delays, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is set to take off from Bush Intercontinental Airport this morning bound for O'Hare. Designed to make the flying experience 'revolutionary,' it is constructed from composite materials, has larger windows than previous jetliners, and high efficiency engines. United Airlines became the first U.S. carrier to take delivery; they've ordered 50, but due to processing delays, they only have 2 right now. Start looking for more to take to the skies early next year."
Re:Did I miss something? (Score:5, Informative)
You are getting old.
Modern engineering simulation using non-linear finite element software with appropriate calibrated fracture and failure material models can model the deformation and stresses accurately. When the structure is overloaded, the software can model the delamination of the individual plies, the damage that occurs and the residual strength and performance of the structure.
Disclaimer: I used to work for the company that writes the software that Boeing uses.
Re:Awesome (Score:5, Informative)
A few years ago, I was in Seattle for a band trip. On the Sunday morning, a dozen of us went up to Everett to see the Boeing factory.
The first plane ready to get out the door was 787 #1, the FAA smasher, so we got to see it fairly close. We also got to see the Dreamcargo? whatever it's called take off. That's a funny looking plane.
They are very cool planes, and if you're ever in the PNW, I highly recommend heading to Everett and checking out the factory. It's incredible.
Re:Did I miss something? (Score:4, Informative)
Ah, Anonymous Coward, we meet again! This is where I link to two very amusing CF stress test videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xreZdUBqpJs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrjId0-K-Ts
Hooray for science and/or standardized testing based on Real Science.
On that first video, skip ahead to the 5 minute mark where they're just beating the frame against a concrete wall/corner.
Re:There goes another "feature" (Score:4, Informative)
Are they afraid you might go blind from the sun or something?
Its so the passengers can better enjoy the in-flight entertainment. Especially on planes that don't have seat back monitors.
Re:There goes another "feature" (Score:5, Informative)
I actually work for the company that manufactures the windows (Gentex) and I only have a little experience working with the windows, but I do know that there is a master control for the dimming level. Also, there are 5 different dimming levels so it's not just full dark and full clear. I think with the master control there is also the ability to limit the selectable dimming levels. So the flight attendants or whoever gets to control it could require you to set it to at least dimming level 3 and you'd still be able to look out of the window.
Re:Awesome (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Awesome (Score:5, Informative)
From United's Q3 financials: [google.com]
Net profit margin 0.06%
but having just flown SwissAir and Lufthansa, I have to agree about food and service being better in Europe.
Re:Odd priorities (Score:4, Informative)
Airplane manufacturers don't control seat width; the airlines are the ones who define that. The 787 is wider than other airplanes in its size class and Boeing had intended for that to be reflected in the seats. Instead, airlines chose to cram in two more passengers per row.
Re:That doesn't really show anything. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Reality check (Score:2, Informative)
Hmm... I'd have to go with stewardess's making ~$40k-$84k per year in salary as being pretty good before benefits. $84k is a lot of money for handing out drinks. Toss in some nice benefits like 12-15 days off per month (average), medical, dental, free travel for you and your family, big discounts on rental cars and hotels, per diem of $3k-$5k per year, tuition reimbursement, matching 401k, pensions, etc and it is a pretty sweet deal.
Of course, airline pilots making up to $200k per year and all the above is a pretty good deal too.
Re:That doesn't really show anything. (Score:5, Informative)
A similar ticket in the US costs 1/3 less than in Europe
Really? Because I just compared ticket prices in expedia (round-trip, weekend trip, a few months out (February).
Cheapest flight from LA to San Francisco (distance 347 miles): $177, United Airlines, which I can attest has crappy service.
Cheapest flight from Glasgow to London (distance 343 miles): $166, British Airways, which I can attest has great service.
Re:Reality check (Score:4, Informative)
http://www.glassdoor.com/GD/Salary/United-Airlines-Flight-Attendant-Salaries-E683_D_KO16,32.htm?filter.experienceLevel=TEN_PLUS/ [glassdoor.com]
$84k:
try $48K at most.
12-15 days off per month (average):
not if you want that $48K: More like 10 days off...
free travel for you and your family:
There's never any "space available" for those pesky employees. It's nothing but an enormous waste of time to even try.
big discounts on rental cars and hotels
You get the same thing we do...
per diem of $3k-$5k per year:
What? Do you think dining on the road is cheap- you must not travel much. That doesn't even cover it. Take a look next time, most of them carry a cooler full of food with them.
tuition reimbursement, matching 401k:
YGTBSM. Maybe at Southwest, but even with them 401K's are the only retirement.
pensions:
GONE, GONE, GONE. After telling us to take MASSIVE paycuts to save them- tremendous bait and switch. We were totally suckered. Live and learn...
Of course, airline pilots making up to $200k per year and all the above is a pretty good deal too.:
IAAAP (I am an airline pilot) and I don't even make half that- after 17 years. From the devil itself:http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2009/06/16/pilot-pay-want-to-know-how-much-your-captain-earns/ [wsj.com]. Not everybody gets to be Captain, and it take years to make it. Oh yeah, they keep raising the retirement age: moving the line ever so further away...
Re:Reality check (Score:2, Informative)
Taken from YOUR links:
Southwest Airline Attendant: Up to $103k.
Guess, I was a little bit off, sorry.
Again, from YOUR link:
Their captains max out at a minimum of more than $200,000 a year.
Whoops. Guess I was spot on, although I listed the minimum for their top tier captains. They didn't list how high their maximum was.