Forty-four Boeing planes were grounded "to determine whether they should go through further safety inspections." Southwest Airlines spokeswoman Whitney Eichinger said Wednesday. Which, to me, sounds like a nice beat around the bush answer considering they will have to undergo further safety inspections as the aircraft have been flying past inspection dates.
No one will confirm whether the inspections will be on the fuselage or rudder, issues that have been raised by the FAA as areas of concern. The FAA has also said it may levy an 10+ million dollar fine on Southwest if it's found to have violated the federal aviation regulations. According to FAA documents provided to congressional investigators, in some cases, aircraft were operational 30 months past governmental inspection deadlines. Violation? hmm, maybe.
These 44 737s are not free to move about the country. Time for Southwest to get its wallet out.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Southwest Grounds 44 B737s
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Remember this big issue came into play because of two whistle blower FAA inspectors who risked their jobs out of their own dedication to safety of the traveling public and to uphold their responsibilities as FAA Inspectors. Their frustration of over a year of continuing safety risks and their inability to fix the problem lies not with the field inspector, but with the FAA chain of command above that level.
The "Colaberation" buzz word between the FAA and the Airlines originated in 2001 when Mr. Nicholas Sabatini came to power from the Atlanta FAA Regional Office to Washington. He addopted such contrary personal approach at reglatory oversight at the objection from field office supervisors and inspectors.
My manager and I both filed whistle blower complaints for lack of support from both the Washington level and the Regional level in Atlanta. Mr. Oberstar's office was contacted and disclosures were made involving FAA short comings for proper oversight of the airline. Such notification was ignored.
Shortly thereafter, both my manager and I were forced to resign from the FAA. My manager had 26 years of dedicated service and I had 29 years. Field inspectors have been stripped of their very authority required to meet the responsibilities of of their official position descriptions, making them vunerable to removal when the public smells the scent in the air of wrong doing by regulators.
The "cozy cozy" goes on in Washington unknown to the field inspector. The only thing the field inspector knows is when airline management informs the inspector and is told they had a meeting with "Nick" in Washinton and here is what he said.
Politics and safety do not mix. This being a year of political upheavel is the year to take a good look at "corruption" which equals "colaberation."
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