Crystal ball time: Boeing impact

[eskercurve]

Do you think that Boeing moving its second 787 line is a start in a long-term move out of the state to right-to-work states to reduce payroll costs - which will have a negative long-term effect on housing prices in the Everett and Kent/Auburn areas? Or will Boeing continue to exist in the area for a long time to come?

The reason why I ask this is: I'm a Boeing engineer and I'm also looking at the long-term. I'm married and contemplating starting a family in the next year or so, and the last thing I want to do is start a family, and 10 years from now be stuck because 777 will be winding down, 747 will likely wind down barring a major redesign, I seriously doubt that 737 has a long-term life because Embraer, Bombardier, AVIC and Japanese companies all want in on the market, and I doubt Boeing's ability to compete on a cost basis, and I highly doubt Boeing wants to continue paying their engineers here on average 20% more than their engineers in Texas or Missouri.

On the other hand, I realize that there's a lot of other companies in the area which do business iwth boeing and do aeronautical related engineering as well, so I could likely find another job. I could also buy in Bellevue and Redmond, since I doubt Microsoft will be leaving anytime soon.

[WestSideBilly]

Yes, it's the "start" of a transition.
Yes, Boeing will continue to exist in the Puget Sound for a long time.


Not to be too cynical, but there's always a chance you will be "stuck" 10 years from now. There's no way to plan for every inevitability. Boeing manufacturing will still exist here. Probably reduced from current capacity, but still here in significant form. The 787 line is a bargaining tool against IAM and hedging bets. Embraer and Bombardier will continue to siphon off sales of the 737-600 and some of the -700, but the -800 and -900 are the bulk anyway so Renton will still be making planes. Everett might have the 767 tanker, tapering 777, 747-8 freighters, some 787...

There's no industry that will ever be totally stable for a long time. Continue to learn and expand your skills, be adaptable and marketable and you'll never have an issue. Rely on one company for your well being and you will have issues.