Don’t hit the panic button on Boeing
The HillFeb 07
FAA Report Faults Boeing's Safety Culture
The Facts
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in a report published Monday faulted Boeing's safety management culture for recent incidents involving its 737 MAX planes. The report highlights a "disconnect" between the management and employees.
The US aviation watchdog's 50-page report was based on a panel's finding that included a lack of "skillful awareness" among a majority of employees on various reporting systems.
The Spin
Narrative A
Safety is the lifeblood of any aviation company, so criticism of Boeing is warranted. But what it really needs right now is a solid path to improvement rather than being decimated. Patience and perseverance from regulators, the government, and the public are key because it's important to keep a US-based company like Boeing going.
Narrative B
After the 2018 and 2019 tragedies on its planes, Boeing seems to have prioritized profitability over safety. Comments by CEO Dave Calhoun exposed a rot in the heart of the company, and it's facing a long road to regaining the trust of the government and the public. It can start by being more transparent when it has issues.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that the next commercial supersonic flight will take off in September 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.