The cargo industry has, in many ways, helped to keep theBoeing 747 alive in an era when the quadjet has otherwise been becoming somewhat obsolete on the passenger side of things. This is evidenced by the fact that freighter orders for the 747-8 outstripped those of its passenger customers, as well as the growing number of 747-400s that are being converted to carry cargo. However, even for 747 freighters, the end of the line has to come.