When a business and the safety overseers of that business have too close of common personal and/or business interests, the conflict of interest can imperil the safety of the public. The question arises whether this is an isolated story, of an epidemic corruption of government by an arrogant privileged class. The FAA has similar conflicts of interest when designated engineering representatives (DERs) are embedded in the management structure of the companies the representatives are supposed to be monitoring. The public safety requires a strong independent and well financed and manned FAA.

This is a report that skims the surface with some quotes from whistle blowers, a statement on FAA action and a comment by a Congressman. It flags a situation that certainly could be a concern. While most of the comments on the article are knee-jerk reactions, one that at least sounds informed makes me yearn for some more in-depth reporting: Is this another case of sacrificing safety in pursuit of a competitive advantage or an over reaction to a minor infraction. After all, I sometimes fly Southwest!