cjdking, yes Bombardier IS definitely a Rulemaker. I like your thinking. I've been following the company since the 80's and have a large, long-term position in it. The stock has doubled and split for me four (4) times since 1989 giving me my first 10-bagger.

It is an excellent company. Well-managed, very innovative (12 new jets
in as many years). It is a leader in the Regional Jet market, and in
business jets, and fractional jet-share plans.

The company reeks of quality in everything it does. It employs the Sigma-six program of quality control which benchmarks everything and
works to cut costs, and increase quality and customer satisfaction.
There are several new books out on the Six Sigma concept if you are interested in this aspect. This is the program used by the likes of
GE, and Johnson & Johnson and others and it has been very successful
in its objectives.

The company continuously improves production quality/innovatiaon for which it has numerous international awards.

I like the company because it is an innovator, and it is a leader. Management is the best in the world according to AviationWeek (see
Aug 2000 ed). This year the company came in a close second only to General Dynamics (Gulfstream).

You just have to look at the dynamic growth in passenger seat miles to
realize how popular regional jets are. Demand at Atlantic Coast Airlines
for example is up a whopping 74% last month over last year. Atlantic
is a big customer of Bombardier.

RJ's aren't going away either. Their growth curve is different from that
of larger commercial jets. Pilot union's scope clauses have held demand
down artificially in the past, but this should change as airlines struggle to survive and reduce costs. RJ's are much more efficient.
Pilots should eventually realize that the increased traffic afforded by
the advent of RJ's is helping increase air traffic for the majors, not
take it away. Scope clauses will crumble. Demand for the quieter, cleaner, smoother, more flexible, more comfortable, and more efficient RJ's will soar.

Things can get quite rough though from time to time. Be prepared for
a little turbulance, and your perserverence will pay off.

Jammerh