The salient issue for me is one of safety, and the public right to duty of care from Boeing and the airline. Not to mention strict enforcement of the letter, and the spirit, of the regulations....
If the story is true that Boeing was changing out virtually all the batteries, for any reason, if the removal and replacement was on an accelerated schedule, that is a change of performance.
I am hopeful the true events become known.
It is especially critical if the Program of replacement was as a result of any particular and unexpected defect or failure. Any unexpected event presents the possibility of complete and critical failure, there is potentially a danger to the aircraft and passengers, on board and people on the ground.
I think most other considerations pale in comparison to the process involved in changing the batteries. I am sure the program was innocent, and proper.
Last edited by Lyman; 6th Feb 2013 at 02:30.