Published: Sunday, March 28, 2010
For Boeing workers, tanker deal isn't only about business — it's a matter of pride
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Michael O'Leary / The Herald
Cathy Dwight works in body join and installation on the 767 line. She began her career working on the 767 and hopes to end it working on the same jet.
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Michael O’Leary / The Herald
Jeff Nelson is a quality assurance specialist on the 767 line. His father worked for Boeing for 40 years, and his brother once flew Boeing’s KC-135 tankers.
Cathy Dwight began her career at the Boeing Co. working on the 767.
And it's the jet on which she'd like to end her career.
“My heart is with the 767,” Dwight said.
For Dwight's dream to come true, the Boeing Co. will have to land the U.S. Air Force tanker contract. That's something the company has been trying to do for a decade.
“This would be huge for me if I could stay on this airplane another 10 or 15 years,” said Dwight, who lives in Edmonds.
Dwight, a mother of two, is doing her part to show the Air Force that Boeing is the best defense contractor for the job. The 44-year-old enforces a stricter control of 767 mechanics' tools than what's expected on Boeing's other aircraft lines. This means the Air Force is less likely to receive a 767 with a misplaced drill bit rattling around somewhere inside. It means a safer, higher-quality aircraft.
“We're leading the way” on tooling compliance on the 767 line, Dwight said.
* * *
It seems an odd career change at first glance.
Jeff Nelson moved from the health care profession to the quality assurance program at the Boeing Co. about 13 years ago.
But analyzing data requires the same skills, whether it's blood work or airplane manufacturing.
And Nelson has airplanes in his blood.
His father worked for Boeing for 40 years. His brother, now an American Airlines pilot, flew the Air Force KC-135 tankers that the Boeing Co. wants to win a $35 billion contract to replace.
“I think it's important that it's built here in the United States,” Nelson said.
In the quality assurance department, Nelson will have a hand in ensuring the Air Force receives well-built aircraft. But Boeing already does that, he said.
“Every day we make an airplane that flies people, so it's important that we make a quality product,” Nelson said.
And it's the jet on which she'd like to end her career.
“My heart is with the 767,” Dwight said.
For Dwight's dream to come true, the Boeing Co. will have to land the U.S. Air Force tanker contract. That's something the company has been trying to do for a decade.
“This would be huge for me if I could stay on this airplane another 10 or 15 years,” said Dwight, who lives in Edmonds.
Learn more about the 767 tanker technology in our animated graphic. |
“We're leading the way” on tooling compliance on the 767 line, Dwight said.
* * *
It seems an odd career change at first glance.
Jeff Nelson moved from the health care profession to the quality assurance program at the Boeing Co. about 13 years ago.
But analyzing data requires the same skills, whether it's blood work or airplane manufacturing.
And Nelson has airplanes in his blood.
His father worked for Boeing for 40 years. His brother, now an American Airlines pilot, flew the Air Force KC-135 tankers that the Boeing Co. wants to win a $35 billion contract to replace.
“I think it's important that it's built here in the United States,” Nelson said.
In the quality assurance department, Nelson will have a hand in ensuring the Air Force receives well-built aircraft. But Boeing already does that, he said.
“Every day we make an airplane that flies people, so it's important that we make a quality product,” Nelson said.
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