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"This is the demise of the old Boeing. I view it as the final acquisition of Boeing by McDonnell Douglas."

— John Bell, senior manager of engine strategy at Boeing's Everett plant

"I don't think Condit did that bad of a job. I like to think that he kept a bad situation from getting worse. Boeing was in bad shape when he took over (as CEO) in 1996, and with a company as large as Boeing, you don't make overnight reforms."

— Joshua Abell, Boeing employee in Mesa, Ariz.

"Everyone is in shock right now. It just doesn't seem like the same place anymore. Now we're an entity in the Boeing structure. Before we were the crown jewel."

— Michael Richner, Boeing electrician in Renton

"I don't think anyone will be happy to hear that Harry's taking over."

— Scott Wilson, fuel-tank sealer on the 737 line in Renton

Related stories · Board loses its last NW tie · Condit steered company to be No. 2 · No sizzle for Boeing's shares · 2003 wasn't a good year · New CEO backs 7E7 PROFILES: · Condit liked in community · Stonecipher to rule with 'soft touch' · New chairman a 'straight shooter' STEPHEN DUNPHY: · Stonecipher a bad choice REACTION: · Statement to employees · What people are saying

"I'm sure he'll do a good job getting the stock higher and doing the thing he does best. He did well by McDonnell Douglas when he was there. He has to focus on costs and growth and shareholder value. He's a well-trained, very experienced guy."

— Ron Woodard, former president of Boeing's commercial-airplane division

"The initial reaction from employees is going to be one of trepidation. There was no love lost between Mr. Stonecipher and the SPEEA-represented employees three years ago when our union went on strike."

— Bill Dugovich, spokesman for the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA)

"I do think that putting Stonecipher at the top is a good message. He sends a strong message for integrity on the military side, and I think that will help them incredibly with Congress, the Pentagon and with Wall Street."

— U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.

"He's got a major job in turning around the credibility of The Boeing Co."

— U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash.

Compiled by Seattle Times business reporters Tricia Duryee, Jane Hodges, Kristina Shevory and Sarah Anne Wright and Washington bureau reporter Katherine Pfleger. Information from The Associated Press was also included in this report.

Readers respond: 'Condit's resignation is most welcome'

Yesterday we asked readers: "What do you think Phil Condit's legacy at Boeing will be? What will he be remembered for from his 38 years with the company?" A sample of the responses:

"I am a native Seattleite and have witnessed firsthand the decline of a company that has played, for so many years, a defining role in this region. ... They have squandered their role as world leader in airplane manufacturing, space development, and quality. They have also squandered their credibility, not only with the people that have made Boeing great, namely the people that build the products, but with its customers as well. News of Condit's resignation is most welcome."

He led the company through some of its most challenging years — the beginnings of the "globalizaiton" of The Boeing Company- labor strife, worldwide economic downturns, threats from overseas competitors and demands from customer countries to share in the development and production of the planes they buy. An amazing leader in our local philanthropic community — and my hope and every expectation is that Phil will continue to utilize his skills and resources to make our community one that we are proud to call our home.

"As a Boeing retiree myself, I think that Condit will be remembered as a leader who has permanently damaged this company for whom I worked as long as he did. Instead of keeping his focus on its core business and staying No. 1 in that field he tried to make the company too much too soon."

"Say what you want about him ... the good and the bad, but the company went downhill on his watch. That's how I'll remember him."

"He never should have allowed Boeing to get involved with the acquisition of McDonnell Douglas."

"Phil 'Vaporman' Condit will be remembered as the man who sold Boeing down the river. What an ineffective leader he has been. He has effectively turned the reins over to McDonnell Douglas, so they can repeat their previous financial magic with The Boeing Co. Morale will plummet in the short term. Look for Boeing to spiral into the ground over the next five years and for the parts to be sold off at bargain basement prices. Can you say Wal-Mart Airplane Company?"

"(Condit) will be the man remembered for buying McDonnell Douglas ... and all but ruining The Boeing Co. (Stonecipher's) got great chops but as far as how he runs the company, he's going to just alienate the engineers and run it right back into the ground."

"I think I'll remember him as the man who continually laid off people and the negative impact that had on thousands."

"What I will remember is how Boeing changed from being a Northwest staple to a faceless corporation. Once upon a time, Boeing was Seattle, and Seattle was the heart of Boeing. Under Condit, those ties were lost. Condit's legacy will be that he turned an icon into just another struggling corporation."

"Phil will be known to some as the man who sold Boeing out and moved it to Chicago, even though Harry Stonecipher was the one who really helped do it. And sadly he will be remembered for the man who left Boeing when we really needed him the most."

"The end is near for Boeing here. I only wish Alan Mulally would leave also."

"Condit will forever be remembered as the man who moved Boeing out of Seattle to Chicago. His leadership (or lack of it) drove poor decision making. Good riddance. For the sake of Boeing and Seattle, I only hope that Stonecipher can right the ship. If he fails, Airbus will gain market share that Boeing can ill afford to lose."

"Very smart engineer, very poor executive. He was played like a drum by McDonnell Douglas executives ... who are now running Boeing. Should be interesting when he crawls back from Chicago acting like the long-lost son. ... I am a Boeing employee of 26 years and counting. ... I do not like 'Stoney,' but at least he got rid of half of the corporate bloat today, eliminating a bunch of unnecessary senior VPs with huge salaries."

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