Warning Bells

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.

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.

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.