Back to the topic now, I've heard that there is a FA manager (I don't know who exactly, as there are so many) that is working on the B787-900
There are bucket loads of people working on the 787-900 intro. Cabin layout, galley layout, technical, engineering, networks, etc. Everyone is doing ground work. The only thing they're waiting for is the official 'go' (or potentially 'stop') decision to be formally made.
Years ago I used to organise large scale activities for the Air Force cadets. A lot of preliminary and preparatory work occurred before the boss would sign off on what was to occur. So much so that most of the rest of it was imply managing implementation. Like the lock out, this is not different. Planning is happening, the actual decision to formally launch is still yet to be made.