5 ms·

I'm sure this guy knew what he was doing - but yes, he was probably coerced or induced by someone with more authority. There's no way the buck stops there.

jdavis703 5y ago
Unless he flips on management there’s not much for the government to go on. And then you’re asking a jury to believe the words of someone already alleged to be dishonest.
tiahura 5y ago
This guy’s name popped up in the Seattle Times article from almost Day 1 of the MCAS debacle. IIRC he left Boeing and went to Southwest, and proceeded to lie to them about the Max. To the extent there was a single person concealing information, it was him.
- yholio 5y ago
  I guess him leaving explains why he's the only one to get the blame. Had he remained in the company, he could have blackmailed his way out, by threatening to bring down the whole club. By leaving, he painted a huge target on his back.
  - elliekelly 5y ago
    > Had he remained in the company, he could have blackmailed his way out, by threatening to bring down the whole club. What? No. That’s not how it works unless your goal is a superseding indictment with additional charges.
didntknowya 5y ago
well some C-level staff eventually has to take some responsibility, can't keep passing the buck.
- ineedasername 5y ago
  some C-level staff eventually has to take some responsibility That may be optimistic. Off the top of my head I can't remember any c-level execs of such a massive corporation having criminal charges brought against them. (except maybe for some type of tax/securities fraud) There's probably... some? My knowledge of the area certainly isn't comprehensive.
  - bell-cot 5y ago
    Not C-level - but at Boeing, and convicted of a felony in the case: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darleen_Druyun https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darleen_Druyun
  - dylan604 5y ago
    What happened to the Enron guys? Didn't they go to jail? I know one commited suicide, but the othe 2 spent some time at Club Fed didn't they?
    - tyingq 5y ago
      Ken Lay (Chairman, CEO) had a heart attack and died, not suicide. Jeffrey Skilling (CEO) was initially sentenced to 24 years, later reduced to 14, served 12. Andrew Fastow (CFO) was sentenced to 6 years, served 5.
      - dylan604 5y ago
        Thanks for the correction.
  - TedDoesntTalk 5y ago
    Volkswagon
- elliekelly 5y ago
  He is c-level. He’s the _Chief_ Technical Pilot.
topspin 5y ago
"he was probably coerced or induced by someone with more authority" Then he should flip. Naming names will at least buy some sympathy points.
- loeg 5y ago
  How? If there's no evidence of a conversation, it won't help his case.
  - topspin 5y ago
    It's not that simple. Sincere cooperation has value and is weighted by authorities, regardless of where it does or does not lead. Years served are based on such factors. Also, there are the civil suits. Standards of evidence are generally lower and a credible and cooperative peon has value to plaintiffs as they pursue the big targets.
    - loeg 5y ago
      How do the authorities distinguish sincere cooperation from fabricated deflection, in the absence of evidence?
      - quickthrower2 5y ago
        I’m guessing it creates more probable cause for subpoenas and leverage in interviews and hopefully they find more evidence … or not.
        topspin 5y ago
        Often it's as simple minded as convincing the judge that decides how many years you'll serve that you're not irredeemable.
  - NortySpock 5y ago
    It does point some heat at the named person, and maybe drags their name through the mud.
e9 5y ago
He definitely knew what he was doing and yea he was pressured, read his email on page 3: https://transportation.house.gov/imo/media/doc/Compressed%20Updated%202020.01.09%20Boeing%20Production.pdf https://transportation.house.gov/imo/media/doc/Compressed%20...

jdavis703 5y ago

Unless he flips on management there’s not much for the government to go on. And then you’re asking a jury to believe the words of someone already alleged to be dishonest.

tiahura 5y ago

This guy’s name popped up in the Seattle Times article from almost Day 1 of the MCAS debacle. IIRC he left Boeing and went to Southwest, and proceeded to lie to them about the Max. To the extent there was a single person concealing information, it was him.

yholio 5y ago
I guess him leaving explains why he's the only one to get the blame. Had he remained in the company, he could have blackmailed his way out, by threatening to bring down the whole club. By leaving, he painted a huge target on his back.
- elliekelly 5y ago
  > Had he remained in the company, he could have blackmailed his way out, by threatening to bring down the whole club. What? No. That’s not how it works unless your goal is a superseding indictment with additional charges.

didntknowya 5y ago

well some C-level staff eventually has to take some responsibility, can't keep passing the buck.

ineedasername 5y ago
some C-level staff eventually has to take some responsibility That may be optimistic. Off the top of my head I can't remember any c-level execs of such a massive corporation having criminal charges brought against them. (except maybe for some type of tax/securities fraud) There's probably... some? My knowledge of the area certainly isn't comprehensive.
- bell-cot 5y ago
  Not C-level - but at Boeing, and convicted of a felony in the case: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darleen_Druyun https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darleen_Druyun
- dylan604 5y ago
  What happened to the Enron guys? Didn't they go to jail? I know one commited suicide, but the othe 2 spent some time at Club Fed didn't they?
  - tyingq 5y ago
    Ken Lay (Chairman, CEO) had a heart attack and died, not suicide. Jeffrey Skilling (CEO) was initially sentenced to 24 years, later reduced to 14, served 12. Andrew Fastow (CFO) was sentenced to 6 years, served 5.
    - dylan604 5y ago
      Thanks for the correction.
- TedDoesntTalk 5y ago
  Volkswagon
elliekelly 5y ago
He is c-level. He’s the _Chief_ Technical Pilot.

topspin 5y ago

"he was probably coerced or induced by someone with more authority" Then he should flip. Naming names will at least buy some sympathy points.

loeg 5y ago
How? If there's no evidence of a conversation, it won't help his case.
- topspin 5y ago
  It's not that simple. Sincere cooperation has value and is weighted by authorities, regardless of where it does or does not lead. Years served are based on such factors. Also, there are the civil suits. Standards of evidence are generally lower and a credible and cooperative peon has value to plaintiffs as they pursue the big targets.
  - loeg 5y ago
    How do the authorities distinguish sincere cooperation from fabricated deflection, in the absence of evidence?
    - quickthrower2 5y ago
      I’m guessing it creates more probable cause for subpoenas and leverage in interviews and hopefully they find more evidence … or not.
      - topspin 5y ago
        Often it's as simple minded as convincing the judge that decides how many years you'll serve that you're not irredeemable.
- NortySpock 5y ago
  It does point some heat at the named person, and maybe drags their name through the mud.

e9 5y ago

He definitely knew what he was doing and yea he was pressured, read his email on page 3: https://transportation.house.gov/imo/media/doc/Compressed%20Updated%202020.01.09%20Boeing%20Production.pdf https://transportation.house.gov/imo/media/doc/Compressed%20...