BA is certainly a conundrum, equity-wise.
On one hand, if there ever was a "too big to fail" company, they are it. Given the world's reliance on their planes, the US government's defense and space contracts, and dominance in their markets, we all know they aren't going to be allowed to disappear. Maybe be broken up into several parts (which usually isn't bad, from an investment thesis perspective).
On the other hand, their apparent operational challenges are confounding, to say the least. How does a company with this much expertise, experience, and influence allow some of these lapses to occur? Clearly, from an organizational or managerial standpoint, they're lacking some of the basics.
All that said, I invested in Sept. 25 LEAPS about a month ago, thinking they would get beyond their current issues, and to acknowledge that they operate the safest form of transportation we have today. I have respect for what they've built, and hope for them getting their act together. And, I wanted leverage vs. buying the stock (with no dividend anymore, I don't see it as a long-term hold, as I have in the past).
Clearly, I was early in this thinking (down 46% since purchase), but maybe time will heal? I only have a year to wait - hurry up, management!