>From a nostalgic standpoint, this is certainly sad. I have only a couple opportunities each year (if that) to visit a desert graveyard. Whenever I do, it is a depressing sight. And if you ever witnessed and heard the sound of crushing aluminum, you never wish you hear it again as you watch a backhoe crush through the top of a beautiful and still flyable 727. Walter DCA ----- Original Message ----- From: "W Wilson" <wlw-jr@att.net> To: <AIRLINE@LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU> > LONDON, March 24 (Reuters) - Up to 1,300 commercial jets could be sent to > the scrap heap following the slump in traffic since September 11, British > newspapers reported on Sunday, citing research by aircraft maker Boeing > (BA). The Sunday Times, ObServer and Mail said Boeing's vice president of > marketing Randy Baseler, had estimated airlines will be forced to scrap > planes worth $1.3 billion pounds. > > Around 2,000 planes have been grounded since the attacks. > > Instead of returning to service, they are likely to be stripped for spares > and sold for scrap, the reports said. > > Analysts reckon each aircraft could be worth $1 million in scrap value but > could be on the airlines books for a lot more. > > The aircraft are currently being held in aircraft "graveyards" in the > Arizona desert. Normally about 250 of the world's commercial aircraft are > scrapped each year. > > > ©2002 Reuters Limited. >