It sells airplanes to the Japanese, computer software to the Europeans and sneakers to the world.

American and Boeing officials acknowledged the big role the United States government plays in helping them sell commercial airplanes.

"We've been able to take a fresh look at it and say, we're not just selling airplanes, we're selling a lifestyle," he added.

FEW jobs seem more challenging after Sept. 11 than selling commercial airplanes.

It was also demanding to fly, but could transport passengers faster than any competitor, and that's what sells airplanes, then and now.

"We sell airplanes to governments, not to private companies," said a senior American official opposed to the sale.

Boeing executives say the deal is necessary to sell airplanes in the East and to hold down costs.

They'd brought people here to sell them airplanes, corporate jets, when the jets were still in the design phase.

It's kinda like asking a clerk in a shoe store to start selling airplanes to the Pentagon.

When the dust clears from a fierce takeover battle, the winning company often emerges cash hungry and eager to sell airplanes.