Unfortunately the situation that Boeing got themselves into is quite typical in the high end corporate world these days, and aviation isn’t immune to this type of attitude that directly impinges on how the core people within that business go about their daily tasks. When shareholders and senior management are only focused on one thing that isn’t SAFETY, ala the stock price and their remuneration package, things go pear shaped very quickly.
Look what happened when Boeing reduced a large majority of their quality control people from the factory floor, why did they do this? $$$$$$$$ Nothing to do with maintaining or improving safety standards.
Just look at the effect this type of corporate influence has had on the industry in Australia recently and currently. Every major Part 121 operator in Australia has been directly effected by corporate takeovers that have directly effected how people on the front line in these organisations do their daily tasks.
CASA are in the process of implementing Safety and Quality Management System requirements for GA operators, and some operators aren’t happy about this as it’s going to cost them money to set up and maintain the system. It certainly will initially, however a well run Safety and Quality Management System will in fact save a lot of money, if it’s got the right people running it and they are allowed to do so. If they can’t, it will certainly cost a lot of money. If you don’t believe this, use the Boeing story as an example!
Safety comes at a high cost, however have an accident and one will quickly learn that safety isn’t really that expensive if you have the right people managing it.