Originally Posted by dhuey

You folks know nothing of which you speak. The Navy has two aircraft carriers for this very purpose -- one in the Pacific, the other in the Atlantic. All Boeing planes except for the 747 and 777 are equipped with carrier landing gear (this is removed upon delivery and sent back to Boeing for a refund of the deposit). The Navy coordinates with Boeing to position the carriers based on Boeing's deliveries.

For years, Boeing employees who signed a waiver were allowed to fly on these delivery flights. It was a very nice perk for employees who weren't queasy about abrupt landings/takeoffs. That ended when one employee suffered a spleen injury in an unusually sudden landing in a 737. Boeing, the Navy and the seat belt maker ended up paying $2.5 million in a settlement.

This program (codenamed "USS American Jobs") has been a sore point with the European Union, as the Navy refuses to extend the same courtesy for Airbus. The World Trade Organization will be hearing Airbus's complaint next month. Leave it to lawyers and foreigners to put a stop to a great idea.