So there is no ambiguity, I am rated on all Boeings from the 727 to the 787, and have flown command on all of those. I am also rated on the 320, 330, 340... I have supported Boeing throughout my career, and have friends in the company in design, test and certification. I think the workers in Boeing have been let down for the last 20 years, from the Ducomon shock, the tanker ethics, and the rest of the revelations that have come out from whistleblowers within the company on matters that should be of concern. I would prefer to see a strong Boeing in the commercial field, but the ship of state doesn't seem to be answering to any rudder inputs from those that have been attempting to navigate the shoals of public loss of confidence in their product.
Back in the day, when we had such systemic issues in the military, an adult would call "uncle", and we would have a safety stand down, belly button cogitation, and get back to trying to do what we were supposed to, without killing so many people on the blue team. The Max shambles has been disappointing from the get go, but the comments from within the company need action by adults that are interested in the commercial future of the company, which is in the industries best interest. My comment earlier indicates a simple observation, there are options to the product line, and such comments and the underlying attitude that presages those are unlikely to be what you want on your resume as the industry responds as they have the right to.
Boeing has a great tradition, that only gives so much latitude for such attitudes before things go bad. For those that love and live with Boeing, this is your company that is acting this way. Is this the company that you are proud to be associated with, or is it time to defend your company by objecting to these sort of indiscretions, such as the MCAS debacle, the comments of your type chief pilot as reported etc. Against the new burial mounds and ashes, I think those that want the company to excel, need to object, and be heard. When engineers report that they don't want to fly on their own product, there is justifiable concern from the rest of the community as to what on earth is passing for acceptable standards.
It is indeed true that mature western corporations seem to be hell bent on their own demise by such means. That doesn't give the board and CEO license to disregard warnings on the ethics of their organisation, there have been warning flags for 20 years. Know this, that a friend of mine, who was the chief designer of the B747 was dismayed by the direction of the company in his final years in retirement. I am glad he has not had to see the MCAS debacle play out, or to read the reported comments of the crews that manage the product flying side. He was of clear eye and sharp mind to the end.
I've owned 3 Boeings over time, personally, so yes, I am surprised and disappointed by the direction that the company has gone. Where are the white knights that will not just deny the issues, but will acknowledge the problems, and meaningfully restore the company to it's place of pride.
Meleaguer:
The extremeness of some outside views brought about by this sorry business are far, far less edifying even than some of the balls-ups made by various players within it.
It is grotesquely, outrageously unfair to publish such totalitarian accusations that you cannot possibly substantiate and which attack and belittle every single Boeing employee, just as much as it is the ultimate in spite and vindictiveness against them to whip up a Salem-witch-hunt-like frenzy against their company to see it destroyed due to the poor decisions of a few, probably very few indeed, of their colleagues.
For shame.
Bloomberg is reporting what
your company staff said. If you have a problem with that, then fix your company. I for one would like to see Boeing sort their act out, Shooting messengers is so 2019 Trumpist. Where on earth is it reasonable to play
"Jedi mind tricks" that unfortunately tie into a bad day for 346 innocent humans. You have a problem with that, then go get yourself a conscience.
WTF
Fact is a lot of SLF will never in their lifetimes willingly board a modern Boeing again,
Is that a probable outcome? I doubt it, however it is a possible one. To avoid what appears to be a non zero existential threat, then those that truly care for Boeing's heritage and the standards that it held for products such as the 727, 747, 757, 777, then defend your company from the management malaise that afflicts it today. Alternatively, don't, after all, it is your company and your future. Just don't expect those that have respected the former company for it's competency to be impressed with what passes for acceptable ethics. You probably have months to sort it out, it is unlikely to be years. So far, who has come to the fore to defend the standards, and not just be an apologist for what has occurred.
Anyone?
Years ago, when we got dragged into a program to stop it falling off the precipice, a letter went out to all in the company concerned, "straight talk", it was no more excuses. TBC needs to stem a loss of public confidence. That does not include hand wringing, apologies, obsequiousness, or deflection, it is to get on with the job of defining what you want the company to be, identifying the gaps between assumptions and realities, and get on with cleaning house on ethics. Also, as a PS, stop shooting your messengers, they are what stand between the abyss of blissful ignorance and a return to excellence. Boeing is not the first here, NASA beat them to the post, twice, and did and does appear to have taken heed of the peril that exists in what passes for ethics today in corporations.