Southern California: Aerospace Capital of the World (Los Angeles, El Segundo: how much, find a job)

[drunk on kool aid]

About a month ago, I saw a Lockheed Martin TV ad, showing an F-22 Raptor, and ending with a corporate link, <http://www.lockheedmartin.com/how/>.

I only saw the ad once--I think it's the "5th Generation" one at the above link.

Was this ad shown nationally?

Interestingly, this was right around the time that a Raptor had crashed in the Mojave desert (any new details besides the unfortunate death of the pilot?) and there was word that the USAF's orders were going to be cut back.

Was this a coincidence or some type of spin control or attempt to rally support for the F-22 program? I mean, who is the intended target for these ads?

As someone mentioned previously, I don't know if manned, high performance aircraft have much of a future against UAVs whose performance will be limited by the airframe rather than the much lower limits of the pilot's physiology (G-LOC).

[Charles]

Originally Posted by drunk on kool aid

Was this a coincidence or some type of spin control or attempt to rally support for the F-22 program?

Boeing is doing this for the sake of the C-17 in Long Beach. My buddy is getting layed off over there.

Boeing launches C-17 advertising campaign - The Daily Breeze


Recently I've been reading the lack of push back from Gate's defense proposal.

Pentagon spending: Robert Gates wins early battles to sell his defense plan -- chicagotribune.com

Gates defuses the Defense budget battle - Los Angeles Times


Finally, these proposals seem to benefit Northrop Grumman in Southern California more than they do Boeing:

"In recent weeks, Pentagon planners have called for buying more Northrop robotic planes and sophisticated surveillance electronic equipment."

from

Boeing, Northrop earnings disparity show shifting fortunes - Los Angeles Times

[roosevelt]

I recall back about 1973 after the aerospace industry in California tanked; I was looking at houses to buy in San Marino and Chapman Woods near Arcadia, some of the nicest homes in California. Because of this one California industry home prices were very depressed. I recall looking at a 3 story Mediterranean house just south of the Huntington Library grounds for $85,000 and no takers.

[JohnG72]

Originally Posted by Charles

There was a guy like that I worked with....60 hour weeks for months, killing himself....

One day, I honored him by presenting to him "For your continuous, efforts of 60 hour weeks (only 40 paid) for months on end, I would like to present you with this Company Pride $10 gift certificate award..."

My dad worked in aerospace for over 30 years....JPL until 1979 and then private for the next 27 or so.

Yes he killed himself. I specifically remember him being gone all day on a few xmas and Thanksgiving holidays.

But it payed enough to take some very nice vacations, to live in a decent neighborhood, to have my mom be a stay at home mom unitl I was 14, to pay for college and cars for me and my brother.

It also paid enough for my parents to be able to buy my moms dream house, a block from the beach and with a beach view(purchased before the big housing run up of the last several years).

Im not really one to shy from, or diminish hard work.

[Charles]

"Los Angeles County had 140,000 aerospace workers in 1990. Now, there are about 37,000 aerospace jobs countywide, with perhaps 5,000 in Long Beach, according to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp."

from

Two Staples of Southern California Economy No Longer So Reliable - WSJ.com

[BayAreaHillbilly]

It is a tragedy. The nation will pay for it someday. Mark these words.

[Charles]

Found this neat site on the legacy of Southern California Aerospace:

Aerospace Legacy Foundation, Downey Landing, Downey NASA plant 1, Downey, Space Science, Learning Center, Charlie Feltz, Shuttle Columbia Tragedy

Make: Online : They used to make spaceships here

[LAPTOP GAMER]

Not anymore, Long Beach Douglas plant is pretty much gone aside from the winding down C-17 program, most of the good jobs are leaving due to high taxes.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by LAPTOP GAMER

Not anymore, Long Beach Douglas plant is pretty much gone aside from the winding down C-17 program, most of the good jobs are leaving due to high taxes.

That's heritage Douglas, now Boeing. My buddy got laid off there a couple weeks ago. He was working C-17 as a systems engineer.

C-17 cancellation is still being debated though. It was SECDEF Gates's proposal - still has to go through congress.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

So sad.