Boeing's First Day in New Era Goes Largely Unnoticed in Seattle, Chicago.

Sep. 5--As Chicago shrugged off the Labor Day weekend and returned to work yesterday, the morning news shows were abuzz over an energetic new chief executive appearing with the city's most powerful politician.

But contrary to expectations in Seattle, the center of attention was not Boeing CEO Phil Condit on the aerospace giant's first day as a Chicago-based company.

No, the man of the hour was Arne Duncan, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, who was kicking off the first day of classes alongside Chicago Mayor Richard Daley at Davis-Shields Elementary School.

After months of hype and handwringing over the headquarters move, Boeing's first day in its new hometown was a low-key event largely overlooked by residents of this sprawling city on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Even within Boeing, the opening was a minor event compared with the major structural changes under way since March. That's when Condit elevated Alan Mulally, …