FAA Whistleblowers: We're Being Punished

Two FAA Workers Say They've Lost Out On Promotions After Capitol Hill Testimony

(CBS)  Two Federal Aviation Authority whistleblowers said they're being punished for raising safety concerns, even as they won awards for their courage Wednesday.

"I'm shackled to my desk pushing paperwork," said FAA inspector Bobby Boutris. "I have not seen an airplane for six months."

When Boutris and fellow inspector Doug Peters sounded the alarm about improper safety inspections at Southwest Airlines, it led to hundreds of grounded planes, thousands of cancelled flights and an unprecedented crackdown on airline maintenance.

But since they testified on Capitol Hill, the two men said they've lost out on promotions and been excluded from important safety decisions, reports CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes.

"Does it make you regret coming forward?" asked Peters. "Absolutely not. I mean there are pressures involved with basically turning in your own agency, but I'm here for the flying public."

What's even more stunning, according to federal investigators, is the number of FAA employees who have followed his lead.

"We have seen a surge in whistleblower disclosures from FAA employees who see wrongdoing and come forward to report it," said Jim Mitchell of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.

There have been 32 disclosures so far in 2008, compared to just 11 in all of 2007.

Complaints range from shoddy inspections to unreported air traffic control mistakes, and include more charges that the FAA punishes employees who speak up.

According to Mitchell, some agency employees have complained of being demoted or moved to different jobs.

FAA officials maintain the agency is working to promote a "culture of safety," while vowing to "take action against anyone who acts inappropriately toward whistleblowers."

[cerberusii]

BOHICA!! ; )

[robbinghood-2009]

This was a BushCo production...this punishment of government whistleblowers. We once encouraged it, but apparently BushCo liked to keep the lids on tight. Any response or excuse for this, neocons?

[magoo2u1]

I guess it''s no surprise that the US refused to sign the international treaty to ban "cluster f---ks"

On topic: They should be fired for punishing whistle blowers.

[tryhonesty]

The RepubliCON Nazi Bush Administration at their best...

[j-whitman]

BajaJohn1,,,, I haven''t read that one yet, thanks for calling my attention to it.

[j-whitman]

BajaJohn1,,,, Whistleblowers used to be protected by our 1st Ammendment''s right to to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

[mcv57]

Posted by armydog2

Whisleblower protection statues are their for the very few who can afford to exercise them. Even then, the liars and thieves in the government control the banks anyway.

This society that the Republican Regime has manifested has bloomed into unconscience, demoralized pack of primitive dogs. The rampant corruption would vaporize any order and justice. A good sample of government impotence is the FEMA debacle - the poor has always been the victims of corruption and immorality (the true source of poverty).

[bobnjersey]

[I was married to an air traffic controller. If you knew what I knew, you would never fly again.]
[Posted by horse3farm at 10:36 AM : Jun 12, 2008]

you''re not going to leave us hanging, are you?

inquiring minds want to know what you know.

[prairiefox1]

FIND THE ONES THAT HAVE DEMOTED THEM AND YOU WILL FIND THE ONES THAT ALLOWED THE COVER UP AND ARE RESPONSIBLE! THEN PROSECUTE!

[j-whitman]

The entire GOP should be protesting FAA Whistleblowers by jumping on the next flight out of town ---- Most of our Air Traffic Controllers are Trainees