KCX decided. USAF's new French tanker

[Al Lewis]

	Quote: Originally Posted by mavacpjm71
	Al, your point is valid - no doubt...im stating the case based on shear cost...not the logistical risks...

Well according to Rueter's the Northrup bid was lower in the long run. Considering Boeings reputation for cost over runs on these deals I can assure you we would have paid Boeing a lot more, in the end, for a far inferior plane. And by the way, Boeing was originally offered a deal to split the contract with Northrup but turned it down. I'm sure they were counting on all the whinners and the crooked politicians to make sure they got the deal either way.

[mavacpjm71]

Fiddy - there are problems in the initial bid, Airforce asked for a medium range tanker, then half way through the bid process changed their minds. I am no boeing fan, believe me...i may live in washington state - but i do not work for boeing, however irregardless of the scandal, when i look at the original bid - for a MEDIUM RANGE TANKER, clearly boeing had the best price/performance, lets also be realistic Al. Neither Boeing or EADS with Airbus will be on time in delivering these planes, so all logistics aside they both suck at delivering on time...so spending more for quicker delivery is a moot point because neither will deliver any faster then the other...

[Al Lewis]

Let me tell you all the bottom line as I see it. You may not agree, this is a free country, thanks to the thousand's of airmen, sailors, and army troops, so you have that right. I'm tired of seeing the airman that risk their lives everyday for our safety and freedom get stuck with some piece of crap equipment because a lot of whinny people without a real clue that, for the most part, never spent a single minute in the defense of this country, complain and protest because THEY didn't get what THEY wanted. I don't care what THEY want. I don't care how many palms get greased in Washington in the process. What I do care about is giving this diminishing force the best equipment available to protect us and them. If the damn thing has a jacuzzi then good for them, they earned it! Most of you didn't. So sit back on your duffs and make all of your money and profess to be real Americans while you endanger the lives of the people really taking care of this country. I can't think of a better way to spend tax dollars. That's okay though, maybe the next airliner taken over by Muslim extremists will fly through the building where your wives or kids work. Then you can complain that the military did nothing to protect them with their inferior equipment that YOU thought they should have. I tell you what though, you're free to get your butt out of bed in the morning and run down to the nearest recruiting office and volunteer to fight for this country and then see what your point of view is on the subject. See if you care where the planes that support you came from then.

[mavacpjm71]

Al, Just for the record, my entire family served this country....so believe me i am not a paper pusher looking to cut costs and risk our american soldiers, not sure where that came from....we are talking a tanker bid here, not infantry gear, armored up'd humvee kits, and better weapons and such for our soldiers. My point started and ended on the tanker bid, not on couch potato americans sitting in their living room complaining about how we over spend on military, thanks for your point - appreciate it....agree with it as well...and by know means was i talking about overall military spending here.

[CAPT KIRK]

Maybe it was the gun control crowd who had a hand in this... kinda like....

It is the assault rifle that is responsible for the violence in our country, so.....

Maybe they think that Boeing aircraft are responsible for 9/11, so......

Next some of you beer drinkers will have your favorite brand banded because it was found to be the most prevelant brand used in the 14,000+ DUI deaths each year....


Seriously.... although as an ex aircraft mechanic will say I believe in the Airbus product, I also believe in Boeing. As a Veteran I totally agree that an American military airplane should be an American product. Only third world countries have to by foreign military hardware.

[50%plane]

have a nice day!

[Al Lewis]

Trust me those remarks were not aimed at you my friend. These people will have to fly in these planes for the next 50 years. I think they ought to have the best. I've spent 25 hours in a KC-135 flying to Diego Garcia for Desert Storm. I would like to think that they can get there safer and faster. If you ever walked among these young people and worked side by side with them you would know that they are truly remarkable. They have the courage and fortitude to stand up to anything. I think we should make it easier for them to do that. If that means we buy French planes then let's buy 100 more!!

[mavacpjm71]

fiddy....i absolutely know what a tanker does...anyways - we all have our opinions....in the spirit of americana, WE ARE ALL CORRECT

[mavacpjm71]

Al, your last comments about our troops and how truly remarkable they are is VERY TRUE and i agree with you...we have the best military in the world, and the best people backing it..no doubt...

[Al Lewis]

	Quote: Originally Posted by CAPT KIRK
	Maybe it was the gun control crowd who had a hand in this... kinda like.... It is the assault rifle that is responsible for the violence in our country, so..... Maybe they think that Boeing aircraft are responsible for 9/11, so...... Next some of you beer drinkers will have your favorite brand banded because it was found to be the most prevelant brand used in the 14,000+ DUI deaths each year.... Seriously.... although as an ex aircraft mechanic will say I believe in the Airbus product, I also believe in Boeing. As a Veteran I totally agree that an American military airplane should be an American product. Only third world countries have to by foreign military hardware.

But then, you're not depending on them anymore, are you??

[mavacpjm71]

Capt Kirk, i like your avatar - the mach 1 ultralight - LOL

[50%plane]

have a nice day!