The problem with knee-jerk condemnations of foreign purchases is the fact they miss one important factor. Most of the really important parts are made right here in the USofA. The engines are US by GE and Pratt & Whitney. The avionics -- all the tech that makes up a cockpit -- is made by Phoenix-based Honeywell and Cedar Rapids-based Rockwell Collins. Today, aircraft manufacturers are largely assemblers. They buy their components engines, avionics, landing gear, aircraft systems from around the world, have it shipped to their manufacturing plant in wherever and put it together. But the US is a HUGE supplier of all these items and still leads the world. So condemning foreign manufacturers really equates to condemning US jobs at companies that supply these manufacturers parts, systems and engines.

And this has nothing to do with whether or not you like Spirit. Airbus products are found at United, American, JetBlue, just as boeing products are found around the world in Africa, Middle East, Asia.

The fact is aviation, as with many other industries, is a global industry, taking advantage of the global economy for the good of the US economy.

Part of an aircraft acquisition is obviously the deal but the vast majority is how a plane fits into a given network. Sometimes BO is better and sometimes AB. It all depends on the airline. Both United and American split their major aircraft purchases between the two because neither company could meet all their needs.

Just thought you should know. I do believe that aviation companies are a net exporter of aviation products to producers and airlines around the world. So the issue is a lot more complicated than just buy American.