too much metal in and making it too strong adds unnecessary weight that bears on the overall performance and operating cost of the aircraft.
I bet that Air France A330 crew were not thinking the same thing as they plunged to the Atlantic from 37,000 feet.
I don't know how comfortable I am flying in an aircraft that was built only just strong enough. Kind of like hanging from a a wire that supports only your weight down to the exact ounce.
It just leaves no room for the big "unknown" - and we know how many of those we come across in our profession. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to turn this into A versus B, because I think Boeings are slowly moving in that direction as well. Didn't the 787 have similar problems in that they found they need to re-inforce the wing box?
I think airlines are not the only business that accountants have taken over.
