Warning Bells

The FAA continues to fail in their oversight of Boeing’s manufacturing operations. Boeing whistleblowers have been complaining for years about the illegal removal of thousands of quality control inspections on individual airplanes.

By the time the FAA acted, it was too little, too late. 346 people died in two MAX crashes and hundreds of airplanes have already been delivered to unsuspecting airline customers around the world.

So how did this happen? Join Ed, Joe, and safety expert Randy Klatt, as they discuss Boeing’s dangerous word games and FAA follies.

The National Transportation Safety Board’s mission is making transportation safer. One of the ways the NTSB carries out this mission is by conducting objective, thorough investigations. The mission of the Department of Justice is to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights. Join Ed and Joe as they discuss how officials at these agencies have completely failed to carry out their investigative responsibilities in the aftermath of the two Boeing 737 MAX airplane crashes. Learn how a few government officials are blocking truth, justice, and accountability while risking the lives of others.

What happens if a new or old airplane is found to have a defect, especially a dangerous defect that risks the safety of the airplane? As a passenger, when you purchase an airline ticket you understandably expect the airplane to be free of any dangerous defects. Join Ed and his guest Mike Dostert as they expose and unravel the little known, slow moving, and dysfunctional process.

Ok we admit it, no one will believe this story—but it is true. Why and how did Boeing remove thousands of quality control inspections on individual airplanes, before and after the two MAX crashes, without the FAA’s approval or knowledge and without the knowledge of Boeing’s airline customers? Join Ed and aerospace safety engineer Joe Jacobsen as they welcome Boeing IAM Union Business Representative Lloyd Catlin to the podcast. Listen to Ed & Joe unravel Mr. Catlin’s incredible story as he explains in stunning detail the systematic dismantling of Boeing’s vaunted quality program, what he told the NTSB during the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident investigation hearing, and the long-term risks to passengers and flight crew. Part 2 of 2.

Ok we admit it, no one will believe this story—but it is true. Why and how did Boeing remove thousands of quality control inspections on individual airplanes, before and after the two MAX crashes, without the FAA’s approval or knowledge and without the knowledge of Boeing’s airline customers? Join Ed and aerospace safety engineer Joe Jacobsen as they welcome Boeing IAM Union Business Representative Lloyd Catlin to the podcast. Listen to Ed & Joe unravel Mr. Catlin’s incredible story as he explains in stunning detail the systematic dismantling of Boeing’s vaunted quality program, what he told the NTSB during the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident investigation hearing, and the long-term risks to passengers and flight crew. Part 1 of 2.

The supply chain problems at Boeing are not limited to getting parts from thousands of suppliers delivered on-time. The problem is also the quality of some of the parts, and because Boeing routinely violates its own manufacturing and quality processes. How and why is this happening? Join Ed and former Boeing parts expert Merle Meyers as they discuss the reckless behavior that is still occurring inside Boeing’s factories. These dangerous practices continue to place Boeing airplanes at risk. U.S. taxpayers provide the FAA and DOT with billions of dollars to oversee Boeing, yet these chronic problems continue. Find out why.

Join Ed as he welcomes Jessica Edwards Taggart, a former Boeing manufacturing and quality control employee, to the Warning Bells podcast. Jessica held several positions in manufacturing and quality over the course of her 20-year career. She provides firsthand insight into the job pressures and describes what it was like working inside a Boeing factory.

Join Ed as he discusses the state of commercial aviation with legendary pilot Captain Sully Sullenberger and aerospace safety engineer Joe Jacobsen. The trio also delve into a wide range of topics from recent incidents involving uncommanded rolls of Boeing 737 MAX airplanes to the criticisms of the Indonesian and Ethiopian pilots of the two Boeing 737 MAX airplanes that crashed in 2018 & 2019.

Why are people fearful of bringing up bad news? Is it safe and worth it to speak up? Join Ed for a thoughtful discussion on workplace culture with author Stephen “Shed” Shedletzky. Shed is the author of SPEAK-UP CULTURE – When Leaders Truly Listen People Step Up.

After the harrowing incident occurring on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, and the many developments that have followed since, Ed Pierson talks first person.