One thing I've been wondering: is it the problems or the perception that are biting us now? For example, in 1970-ish, did the 747 have all kinds of problems we just would never remember and they were not a big deal in the era? Or is it truly that the 787 plane is screwed up compared to all of the planes Boeing has ever done in the past?

Although they really screwed up this outsourcing thing, I find it hard to believe their engineering would have slipped so much (since e.g. the 777).

Edit: I've also wondered if the airlines are over-emphasizing issues in order to use them as a bargaining chip for more planes.