USMCFLYR

If you do a search using the keyword 'tanker' (search title only), you will comes up with many related threads from the first time around.

The short read can be found (not in great detail) in the first post of this thread:
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/mi...anker-bid.html

USMCFLYR

KC10 FATboy

What USMC said. To keep it short, it didn't lose the first round. It lost the second round. And then it won the third round. Is your head spinning now? The 767 lost in the second round because (from what I believe, could be mistaken) Airbus got the USAF to change the specifications late in the game to benefit their airplane which is why Boeing sued and there was a third round.

XHooker

Pretty much mirrors my sentiments. All else being equal, I'm pulling for Boeing, but when it wraps itself in the American flag, I've got to call BS. Just like EADS, Boeing isn't looking out for anyone but itself.

11Fan

Hopefully you don't feel the same way about the 150,000 of us that support you.

Ball Breaker

Short answer: Yes, as long as suitable alts are available.

If a suitable ETOPS alternate can't be found, you can accept wx down to Cat I mins. Still cant find a field--a waiver is next. Then it's down to critical fuel requirements and having a plan for all the "what if's." The 180 minute requirement can be waived in the Air Force.

KC10 FATboy

Good information. I'm not sure how I feel about extended range operations with two engines and having four fighter bubbas with me. Fighters typically have higher minimums and they should always be within divert field capability. So I guess you have that going for you.

Spur

I'm not sure you can keep this short or simple, but I'll try...

Boeing obtained the 1st tanker deal by bribing a DoD official. It was a no bid lease/buy at $11 billion more than a buy only deal.

Northrop won RFP1 (written by the AF). Boeing successfully protested based on many technical and very boring details (you can Google the full report).

AF issues a simplified RFP2, which boeing is sure it will lose. Boeing threatens withdrawal, and considers 777 Tanker as well. The delays push well into 2008 and Gates suspends RFP2 reasoning that a new administration will be inplace soon, and continuing RFP2 could actually delay the AF getting a new tanker.

New admin comes in, RFP3 is written (or directed) by pentagon tailor made for Boeing. Northrop withdraws... The rest we know

CAFB 04-12

If the Air Force could get what it wanted it would probably take the Air Bus. But this is is 2011 and the Air Force has to purchase the least expensive option, which turned out to be the Boeing. At least that's how it appears to me.

XHooker

That support me? How about we support each other? I am fully supportive of Boeing's unionized, American labor. The fact is that they (you) are just a necessary evil as far as Boeing, the corporation is concerned, just as I'm a necessary evil as far as United Continental Holdings is concerned. Boeing dumped Seattle and moved its corporate headquarters to Chicago because it got a better deal. It's been found guilty of attempting to bilk the government in what John McCain called "... the worst, sleaziest rip off of the taxpayers that I have seen in my (then) 21 years here." That resulted in the firing of their CFO and resignation of the CEO. It's been found guilty of industrial espionage, pays an incredibly low effective corporate tax rate, is moving a 787 production line to a "right to work" non-union state, outsourced most of the 787, and much of its other commercial products. It was actually hiring in Moscow when it was laying off in Seattle. Do you have to be American to hold Boeing stock? All of that and you still think Boeing is operating under something other that pursuit of the dollar (Renminbi, Euro, Yen, Peso, or any other currency)?

Is the Harrier the Marines fly less of an American product than an Agusta helicopter that was designed and licensed by Bell and built in Italy? Same thing for the Northrup/EADS tanker proposal. It was going to be built in America.

Like I said before, all else being equal, I'm glad Boeing got the contract because I think it'll create more union jobs here than had it gone to EADS/Northrup. However, I have no delusions about who Boeing is really looking out for and it isn't you, me, American labor, or the US taxpayer.

11Fan

OK then, I guess that answers the question.