By John Q. Hosedrinker As I sit here and read the latest news about Boeing’s ongoing troubles with their 737 Max planes, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of disappointment and frustration. This once-great company, known for its skilled engineers and commitment to safety, has been overrun by the influence of accountants and MBAs. The results have been disastrous, with hundreds of lives lost and a tarnished reputation that may never be fully repaired.
One of the key issues that led to this situation was the decision to ramp up production to unsustainable levels. Instead of focusing on quality and safety, Boeing became fixated on pumping out planes at an alarming rate. The pressure to meet deadlines and increase profits became paramount, while the well-being of passengers and the reputation of the company took a back seat.
With this relentless drive for efficiency and cost-cutting, corners were inevitably cut. Experienced engineering teams were let go, and compromises were made in the design and production process. One of the most glaring examples of this was the decision to mount heavy, fuel-efficient engines on an airframe that wasn’t designed to carry them. This created a multitude of problems that ultimately led to the tragic crashes and loss of life.
To try and fix these issues, Boeing implemented a software update that was intended to override the faulty avionics systems. However, this software update had a critical flaw, causing the planes to disregard the pilots’ commands and crash. It’s truly horrifying to think about the lives that were lost due to these preventable errors.
And now, even after these devastating incidents, we learn that Boeing has encountered yet another problem with their 737 Max planes. Apparently, two holes were misdrilled in 50 undelivered planes, leading to the need for rework. While this may not be an immediate flight safety issue, it’s still incredibly concerning that such mistakes are being made in the production process.
What’s even more disheartening is the lack of accountability and responsibility. Instead of taking ownership of these failures, Boeing seems more concerned with protecting its reputation and profits. There have been reports of self-certification and a lack of independent scrutiny by the FAA. This raises serious questions about the integrity of their safety protocols and the effectiveness of regulatory oversight.
It’s clear that something needs to change. We can’t continue to allow business departments to dictate what engineering departments should do. Safety should always be the top priority, and decisions should be made by those who have the expertise and knowledge to understand the risks involved. This shouldn’t be about cutting corners or maximizing profits; it should be about protecting the lives of passengers.
In an ideal world, the government would step in and hold Boeing accountable for their actions. There should be consequences for endangering the public and for prioritizing profits over safety. But unfortunately, it seems that Boeing is considered “too big to fail,” and the government will likely bail them out regardless of the harm they’ve caused.
As a consumer, I can’t help but feel a sense of betrayal. I trusted Boeing to prioritize safety and to deliver reliable and well-engineered planes. But instead, I’ve been let down, and countless others have paid the ultimate price.
It’s time for a change. We need stricter regulations and oversight in industries that have the power to literally kill consumers if not done responsibly. We need to prioritize the well-being of the public over the pursuit of profits. And perhaps most importantly, we need to reevaluate the role of MBAs and accountants in critical industries like aviation. Their focus on cost-cutting and efficiency should never come at the expense of safety.
In the meantime, I can only hope that Boeing takes these issues seriously and works diligently to regain the trust of the public. Lives are at stake, and it’s time for them to step up and prioritize safety above all else. Anything less would be a grave disservice to the passengers and families affected by these tragic events.