This strike did not have to occur. We made our top issues clear months ago and simply asked Boeing to do the right thing for their work force.

Does this mean that Boeing will lose business to Airbus? If the strike does not last more than three months, that would be unlikely.

Twelve months ago I could not have imagined sitting here and and being in the top 30,

Boeing has the financial resources to withstand a strike of at least two to three months, and much of the negative financial effect will be reversed once aircraft deliveries resume,

A year ago, fuel costs were not even on the list of top issues.

The union wanted to go on strike two months ago. The association has been on my case. They feel we've been wasting time.