Originally Posted by
Matt48
A news item says the Max 8 will not be flying before mid year, that's 1 month away, either Boeing know a lot or they know nothing, you would wonder how could they make sales with business how it is presently.
I had heard that they anticipated a return to service in the third quarter of this year.
https://www.aviationtoday.com/2020/0...re-validation/
The problem Boeing might be up against with both the suspension of 737 MAX production and Coronavirus shutdowns is a loss of their skilled workforce. Coming up to speed slowly will give them an opportunity to keep their best people while 'cleaning up' their production processes. Layoffs will adjust the workforce to match lower production rates (on all models). Later, as demand returns, the streamlining of shop floor processes may mean that not all who are being laid off will be called back.
Boeing has shut down a few times, but for shorter periods. Just to get paperwork straightened out and regain control of the production schedule. Their processes haven't scaled up very well under high rates in the past. It was one thing to halt 747 production when things were going full tilt. But with slow demand and the certification driven halt, what could be a better use of their time?