The second line is dancing down south. photo courtesy of Mardi Gras Digest
The second line decision. That is an issue that mystifies several industries, and Boeing’s top brass announced the much anticipated decision today, sending the 787 Dreamliner’s second assembly line to the South East.
“Establishing a 787 second line in Charleston will expand our production capability to meet the market demand for the airplane,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Locating the second line in Charleston is particularly attractive to Boeing management because of a diminished union presence, as opposed to the Everett line that suffered a 52 day strike by union members.
Earlier today, before the decision was made public, Sen. Patty Murray invited Boeing executives to her office in Washington, D.C., to talk about the second line decision. Boeing executives decided not to meet with Senator Murray, responding that, “we have all the info we need.”
So if Boeing leaders didn’t speak with Senator Murray and other politicians, where did Boeing leaders seek advice on the second line placement?
Detroit Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock recently switched up their second line. In an effort to generate more offense, Finnish center Valtteri Filppula is taking over playing between big wingers Todd Bertuzzi and Dan Cleary on the second scoring line.
The two had been playing with Kris Draper, but with the Wings averaging under three goals a game, Mike Babcock switched up the lines Monday during practice.
Babcock said he’d sleep another night on whether the line change would be definite, but the Wings are off to an early slump this season, and while Filppula’s old line, between Ville Leino and Jason Williams, has had tons of chances, they haven’t been a productive line either.
Where else did Boeing leaders look to seek advice on second line placement?
Mardi Gras parade organizers may have attracted Boeing to the South East. The decision on what krewes march in what parade affects the second line placement. The New Orleans second line dance is characterized by the pulsing or arms and swinging of legs as if in a mock march, sometimes accessorized by waving an umbrella or rag.
To learn more about this New Orleans tradition visit the the Mardi Gras Digest website
People in the South East look like they have more fun than people in the North West. See it for your self here on youtube .
Undoubtedly, there is second line dancing in Charleston today celebrating Boeing’s decision.
