The retaliation isn't even the story here. Interference with delegated FAA responsibilities is, and the FAA should be handling it. Any type of delegation interference is a serious issue.
Regulatory capture, it's a problem through the government. Decades ago U.S. regulatory agencies were well respected around the world, to the point where if a U.S. body approved something, many other countries automatically followed. Now they're a joke, taking orders from the industries they are supposed to oversee.
I mean, yeah. But from someone in the industry, delegation is fucking huge and we wouldn't fly without it.
Take my words for what they're worth: not much. I've been a delegated source inspector for GE and I've dealt with delegated FAA peeps and auditors. Delegation is a big deal. You basically don't work for your employer while you're in a delegated role. The idea of either interfering or retaliating for delegated authority is insane. Especially with FAA delegation.
Every time a regulator is hired by a company that they formerly regulated, there should be a full audit looking for any conflicts of interest in their entire time at the regulator. And charges on both sides of the bribery equation if any are found, including both the company itself and any employees, executives, and owners involved or who had knowledge of it and didn't step forward.
And if the company has policies that make it less likely that evidence is found, then go after everyone who was involved in making or approving those policies.
Those poor executives had to endure a very uncomfortable conference call before getting on the party bus headed for the golf course. I know cause I book some of those rides and I can assure all you peasants that they’re VERY concerned about your rent.
Starting to think it’s about time for all the families of folks killed by capitalist decisions to invest in pitchforks and request some of those stock buyback dividends live and in person.
I worked for Airbus for 3-4 years. I wasn't wildly happy with how many things are done, but when I read news about Boeing I routinely think "woah, that's wild".
I only get on a Boeing plane if there is no other option. It's not a case of voting with your wallet in an "I won't buy a phone without a headphone jack" situation, but a serious safety matter. Many of their decisions (particularly the MCAS / MAX8 fiasco) are absolutely insane. They might rectify whatever they want, but as semi-informed passengers I don't see how we can trust that the current board is prioritising safety over shareholders...
To be fair I see this as mostly "voting with my wallet" at this point. Their safety statistics by the numbers are still incredibly good, but this rash of issues and the uncovering of sloppy safety practices in an industry that should be harnessing experience and technology to achieve mind-blowingly safe travel is inexcusable and revolting. They have proven they can't simply be trusted, and from here on in I put any further blame on the US government as the clear answer here is much more stringent oversight and regulation.