BigDUSA

FARNBOROUGH, England (AFP) - The European aircraft maker Airbus has unveiled a revamped version of its long-haul A350 passenger jet, promising a wider, more fuel-efficient plane to lure customers unhappy with its initial design. The new jet is also intended to compete more effectively against Boeing's 787 Dreamliner and 777 long-haul planes, but its development costs are set to double to 10.0 billion dollars (7.9 billion euros), Airbus' parent company EADS said at the weekend. Airbus' new boss Christian Streiff, speaking at the Farnborough International Airshow in southern England, said he would seek shareholder approval in October to begin production of the mid-sized A350 XWB (Extra Wide Body), which will carry between 270-350 passengers. The original design had seating capacity of 250-300. "XWB is for extra wide body, for extra comfort, for extra efficiency, and for always going the extra mile for our customer," Streiff said at the airshow, a traditional battleground between aerospace firms competing for orders. He added that Airbus was on course to deliver the A350 XWB in mid-2012. "I intend to seek approval of both our shareholders (EADS and BAE Systems) for a launch in the early days of October," the Airbus chairman said. The new A350 will make greater use of composites materials, resulting in a lighter plane that consumes less jet fuel, the company said. The original A350 had won 100 firm orders, against roughly 360 orders for the 787. Airbus Chief Operating Officer John Leahy conceded that Airbus might lose "one or two" of the 14 customers that placed the firm orders and 82 additional commitments. All orders are to be renegotiated. Rolls-Royce said meanwhile that it planned to revise its engine design for the A350 in light of the changes. The British aerospace giant said it has concluded a preliminary agreement to supply a new, unnamed next-generation Trent engine for the mid-sized aircraft. The engine will replace the Trent 1700 engine that Rolls-Royce had been developing up till now. Airbus has faced a torrid time in recent months, in part owing to production problems with its A380 superjumbo jet. Those problems led to a management shake-up at Airbus and its parent company EADS -- including the resignation of two top directors and the appointment of Streiff. EADS also lost billions of euros (dollars) from its stock market value. I wonder who will fund the R & D cost? Will it be the EU taxpayer? EU taxpayer Airbus

Let's see if I have this right, guy fucks you over and continues to fuck you over and you don't want to name him? Is this a windup?

There are alot of hotel deals around stay 14 pay for 10 during low season. Walk in and ask to speak to the manager if you are staying for more then 14 nights. He has the authority to offer discounts. Desk clerks don't.

I would suggest talking to Gary the owner of the Alamo Bar on soi 8. He comes in after 3PM and a number of guys who come in have a line on cheap condo's in the area.

Owen, Excellent post.

Pattaya Park Hotel in Jomtiem has a water park and is on the beach. Away from the nite life and a good family hotel. I've brought my wife and daughter there and my wife never saw the Pattaya nite life. Excellent place to stay and close to the nite life for Dad.

Your right I got my overpriced condos mixed up. Thanks for the correction.

Floyd, Western Union office in the Big C. Interesting to watch the girl come up with her "brother" to get her cash from a member of the "chump of the month". Girls don't like to get up early. I would recommend going around 4PM or so and see the parade of girls bellying up to the counter.

Check out www.tropicalberts.com Brand new and around the corner from the Queen Vic. Bert used to manage the Vic. I haven't stayed there but I did check out the rooms. Excellent value for the money. I may stay there next trip.

Guy I know had a firm move in date for late June.

How much do you guys pay for each unit of electricity?

Back in the olé days, I used to drink a man's drink, Carlsberg now I drink Tiger and Heinekin. I tried the others and don't care for them.

Civil servants take care of civil servants. I have a great health plan that cost $100USD per month and covers my family. Full medical, dental, vision and prescription drugs. Post Office takes care of most of the cost.

I'm retired from the Post Office and according to my HMO, I'm covered overseas. They told me to pay the bill and send them in and I will be reimbursed. So far, I haven't had to use this.

Flame, hell half the members want the same thing you do. Keep us up to date on what you find out. The other half just don't know they want it.

If you plan on coming in February it's high season and the cheap good hotels get booked out early. Try and firm up your plans and make your hotel reservations as soon as possible. I would recommend seeing BKK first and then move on to Pattaya. Here's a few of the hotels I've stayed in and will stay in again. These are all in BKK. I start with the cheapest and work my way up. Majestic Suites Twin Towers Sheraton Royal Orchid Westin Many good choices in Pattaya: Sky-Top Pig & Whistle Flipper Lodge Flipper House Sabai Inn Marriott Royal Garden

Don't try and do everything on one trip. YOU WILL BE BACK. Best fucking drug, I've ever been on. How long you coming for? Don't be surprised when you get off the plane you start to feel like your 35. No worries when you get back on you'll feel 55. I'm not worried about being banned. I may be a cranky old geezer but I pass on a fair amount of good info.

Keep asking questions. Lots of good info on this forum. Some basic info would be helpful, age, health and what type of budget are you looking to spend? Do you get your kicks below the waistline, sunshine or are you the more cerebral type. Like myself. BTW stay away from the off topic section. Some guys want to ban me and soon, I suspect burning at the stake.

Have you traveled to Thailand?

I've started the process to make the move to LOS. If your 50 y/o you can get a retirement visa. Easy to get. Check the Thai Embassy website in DC for up to date info. Money talks and bullshit walks in LOS. Cash can make many small problems go away. Expats are tolerated because they bring in large sums of cash and generally don't use many tax supported services. Schools and tax supported medical care are two examples. Who knows what the next government attitude towards expats will be? We plan on renting not buying a condo. The bulk of our finances will stay in US banks. Couple of "old Asia hands" I respect recommend Malaysia as the friendliest toward expats.

With your background you can always go into teaching. Start out teaching English as a second language and start to network for higher level positions in the education field. This is doable and you get a work permit. Check out www.ajarn.com

I lived in Pattaya on 30K per month and had a good time. If I didn't drink, I could do it on 20K just like Soi7. BTW, I'm not a balloon chaser nor did I squeeze every baht twice. Well to be honest sometimes I did.

I've flown a lot of airlines and SQ is head and shoulders above the rest especially back in the cheap Charley seats. Would I fly anyway else. Sure if they give me a free upgrade.

I'm looking forward to moving to LOS in the not to distant future. If I can get my 65" Mitsubishi TV in my bag, I'll be in video heaven. Thailand is truly cheap Charley heaven.

Here in Philly we tax the car rentals. This is used to pay for the new sports play pen AKA stadiums.