Southwest Airlines Debacle
eTN Mailbox: Southwest Airlines outrage
Quiet Rockland of Rockland County, New York is enraged over the callous criminal disregard for safety and human life demonstrated by Southwest Airlines (NYSE: “LUV”) and the FAA. We today call for: (1) a nationwide traveler and consumer boycott of Southwest, and (2) a federal criminal investigation of Southwest and “failed regulator” FAA to be spear-headed by the United States Attorney General and a special prosecutor.
The persons that should be flying Southwest at this point, should be only those referred by Doctor Kevorkian. Although the depraved Southwest spin-machine audaciously ‘assures’ us Southwest’s six (6) cracked-fuselage aircraft were “never a safety problem”, Southwest should tell that to the victims of the 1988 Aloha Airlines disaster. There, metal fatigue on an aging Boeing 737 caused 18 feet of fuselage to be ripped off the plane causing grievous injuries and loss of life. House Transportation Committee Chairman James Oberstar in his press conference Saturday, posted on “www.cspan.org”, presented detailed evidence incriminating Southwest and “Bobby” Sturgell’s failed FAA. The incriminating events occurred while “Bobby” Sturgell was Deputy Administrator and Acting Administrator of the FAA. On Saturday, Representative Oberstar thereupon rightfully excoriated the aero-perps for their long-standing “tombstone mentality”. Although criminal and morally reprehensible, and now apparent after a many-month detailed Congressional investigation, Southwest and FAA are clearly in the insalubrious business of making those tombstones happen, in addition to simply reacting to those tombstones post facto.
As recently as last year, Southwest Airlines, with the complicity of supposed federal regulator FAA, on at least 47 of Southwest’s Boeing 737 aircraft, on between 1,451 and 60,000 flights, over a period of two-and-one-half years, deliberately put approximately 200,000 or more unsuspecting travelers in harm’s way - making them fly in un-inspected, non-compliant, aged, and in some cases fuselage-cracked commercial aircraft. Southwest knew the names and faces of their potential victims. Southwest gladly took their money, and for that matter at this point Southwest owes each of them at least a rebate in full of their ticket prices. This was not mere negligence. Irrespective of what forensic lesser charge might technically ultimately apply once further Congressional investigation concludes, the acts and omissions of Southwest and collaborator FAA were tantamount to attempted murder, on a massive scale.
This WILL not stand.
Quiet Rockland asks and encourages those Southwest employees tired of subscribing to their company’s tombstone culture, to leave their sinking airship now to find other and better employ at a responsible airline that actually acknowledges the dignity of the individual human traveler. We further ask every American consumer to now act in solidarity - cancel all flights and other business with Southwest – boycott the airline which we today re-name “Air Kevorkian” - and just say “No” to Southwest, to FAA, and to the greed of the aeromercantile complex that continually and habitually puts profits over people’s lives.
And, as to Southwest stockholders? Vote your conscience.
John J. Tormey III, Esq.
Quiet Rockland, New York
Comments
QR Anguilliforme Newswire/Rockland County, New York - Tuesday October 7, 2008
Sources tell Quiet Rockland that U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Mary Peters is now making preparations to brief the “new Administrator” of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
In a related story, FAA promotes Ruth Leverenz to “Acting Deputy Administrator” as Internet-listed second-in-command Key Official, in anticipation of Acting Administrator Robert Allan “Bobby” Sturgell’s departure from FAA office:
http://www.faa.gov/about/key_officials/leverenz/
#
For the full story, please see:
http://www.bobbysturgell.net
Law Office of John J. Tormey III, Esq.
John J. Tormey III, PLLC
217 East 86th Street, PMB 221
New York, NY 10028 USA
(212) 410-4142 (phone)
(212) 410-2380 (fax)
e-mail: brightline@att.net
NEWSFLASH! - FAA’S BOBBY STURGELL QUITS!
A copy of this message complete with accompanying photographs, is posted at:
http://ejectsturgell.blogspot.com
http://removesturgell.blogspot.com
http://indictsturgell.blogspot.com
http://SouthwestAirlinesAlmostKilledYou.blogspot.com
The celebratory song by “aerononymous” entitled “Top Gun, He’s Done” is found in click-able mp3 format, at:
http://www.TheHappyHarbor.com
FAA ACTING ADMINISTRATOR “BOBBY” STURGELL EJECTS FROM HIS JOB IN DISGRACE
It’s now confirmed. According to a reliable source from a position high-up in the aviation community, one Robert Allan (“Bobby”) Sturgell recently verbally shared with at least two colleagues the following:
(1) Sturgell has ALREADY given notice that he will be leaving his FAA post as Acting Administrator, by, or in, November 2008; and
(2) Current FAA “Assistant Administrator For Regions And Center Operations” Ruth Leverenz will be “Acting” in Sturgell’s absence – (which quizzically therefore will make her the “Acting, Acting” Administrator!).
This story was scooped by Quiet Rockland, and first broke Friday, July 18, 2008. As of the date and time of this publication, virtually no other news outlets or bloggers have picked it up - but they all eventually will. (Sure – Now!).
The only media that are sure to NOT pick up the story at end of day, are the many aviation websites bought and paid-for by the airline industry, thereby inclined to further cover-up for the many failures of “Bobby” Sturgell’s awful FAA tenure and regime.
Sturgell’s shamed flight from his job, is corroborated by the 2 recent near-misses at JFK airport; FAA payment of US$100,000 bonuses to every Beavis and Butthead who is willing to say “I Was A Teen-Age Air Traffic Controller”; and most noticeably, Sturgell’s apparent recent absence at key FAA events. For example, it is reported that in a recent press conference regarding FAA-claimed safety-related changes to exploding fuel tanks, John Hickey (FAA Aircraft Certification Service, Director, AIR-1) spoke for FAA, with apparently no sign of Bobby Sturgell present. Similarly, it is reported that the July 17, 2008 NY/NJ/PHL Airspace Redesign meeting in D.C. was headed by FAA COO Hank Krakowski, and not by Bobby Sturgell.
While we used to ask, “Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego” - we can now ask “Where in the world is Bobby Sturgell?”.
The answer? – probably pounding the pavement handing out his résumé and doing that at which he is best - being an aeromercantile sycophant.
Goodbye, Bobby.
And oh yeah – by the way. Who’s “Top Gun” now?
Postscript:
I love how a blog just went up this early morning, July 21, 2008, on the ‘charterX’ website, wherein FAA spokeswoman “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia” Adams perpetuated the predictable-enough FAA lie to the media. She denied that Sturgell gave his departure notice [when in fact Sturgell DID already give notice] - and then Marcia pretended not to recognize either my name, or Quiet Rockland’s name.
That’s Big and Rich! Marcia’s the FAA’s new comedienne - just like Ruth Buzzi Leverenz. I’m going to have fun with both of them.
I have the written statements from multiple persons supporting the fact that Sturgell gave notice and identified Leverenz as his successor, physically in front of me as I type this document. The information I have came directly from the persons to whom Bobby The Sturg-Eel spoke.
Bring it on, FAA.
A ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATORY MESSAGE FROM PEARL RIVER, NY
Quiet Rockland today makes this statement in support of the pending investigation of Southwest Airlines and FAA actions, conducted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI):
As in the film ‘Moonstruck’, it is as if Cher just slapped FAA Acting Administrator ‘Bobby’ Sturgell in the face twice, hard, and said ‘Snap Out Of It!’. The arrogance and lawlessness of the current FAA regime is now coming to an end. The FAA house of cards is collapsing. On Sunday night March 9, Quiet Rockland called for a criminal investigation of Southwest Airlines and the FAA, as well as a nationwide boycott of Southwest. One night later (please see below), the media reported that the FBI has commenced a criminal investigation of retaliation and threats made by aeromercantile thugs against airplane safety inspector whistleblowers. Quiet Rockland thanks the FBI for commencing the investigation, and will give the FBI every bit of assistance, support, and cooperation if and as ever asked.
Quiet Rockland notes that this criminal investigation’s trail may not only lead to the senior-most levels of FAA management but perhaps also point to FAA Acting Administrator Robert A. “Bobby” Sturgell himself. Even if not, the FBI-investigated FAA and Southwest misconduct occurred under Sturgell’s watch. “Bobby” Sturgell is the DelMarVa son of the late J. Edgar Hoover’s former personal secretary Barbara Sturgell. See:
http://www.bayweekly.com/year99/issue7_22/lead7_22.html
http://www.TheHappyHarbor.com
If ANY American ever suggests that FBI’s or USDOJ’s actions are politically-initiated, or anything less than objective and protective of the welfare of American citizens, one need only cite the Southwest-FAA-Sturgell-Hoover pathway to prove how wrong any such skeptic would be. On this St. Patrick’s Day, every American, Irish-American or otherwise, owes a debt of gratitude to the FBI for taking a dramatic further step to keep our skies safe and protect the well-being of those of us on the ground. We look forward to the results of the FBI investigation and the related scheduled April 3, 2008 Congressional hearing at which we expect the aero-perps to be taken down.
Finally, Quiet Rockland also takes this opportunity to ask that all Americans who have ANY further information implicating FAA, Southwest, or any other aeromercantalist in any threats or retaliation against whistleblowers, or in any other unlawful activity, please come forward now to your most-proximate FBI or other law enforcement office. The text of the CBS 11 News (Dallas) March 10, 2008 article appears below.
http://themainbang.typepad.com/blog/2008/03/repeat-after-me.html
http://www.confidentialinformant.org/2008/03/16/fbi-investigates-threat-...
http://cbs11tv.com/local/Southwest.Airlines.FAA.2.674307.html
Let us begin.
Mar 10, 2008 8:59 pm US/
FBI Investigates Threat On FAA & SWA Whistleblower
Reporting
Jack Fink DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
CBS 11 News has learned the FBI is conducting a criminal investigation into possible threats, made against a local FAA inspector who blew the whistle on his agency and Southwest Airlines. Whistleblowers complained FAA managers and Southwest had a cozy relationship, which allowed planes to fly without required safety inspections.
In a newly released federal report, two DFW-based FAA inspectors, who became whistleblowers, said they believe safety at Southwest Airlines, “Took a back seat to personal friendships and favors... “
The Office of Special Counsel investigated the whistleblowers’ complaints that their superiors allowed Southwest Airlines to continue flying 46 of its Boeing 737 jets, even after the airline disclosed it failed to inspect them for cracks in the fuselage as required.
The FAA’s rules show that the administration and the airline should have grounded the planes until they were inspected.
Friday, Southwest’s CEO insisted safety was never compromised. “Airplanes were flown with the FAA’s knowledge before we completed all of the inspections eight days later,” he told CBS 11 News.
The newly released documents show in January 2006, one of the whistleblowers, Bobby Boutris, complained that Southwest was “hand-selecting the inspector...”
The report says, “When Southwest officials... learned that Mr. Boutris was to lead the inspection of the airline, they met with his FAA superior, Douglas Gawadzinski, and actively sought his removal.”
While Boutris was allowed to do the inspection, the report says Gawadzinski, “instructed him to delay the review until he gave the green light.”
The report also shows that on March 28th of last year, after Southwest disclosed it missed important safety checks, the whistleblower, Boutris, documented 21 negative findings. When the information was reported to Gawadzinski, Boutris claims he was instructed not enter them into the FAA database.
On April 9, 2007, the report says, “Boutris was informed he was being removed from his position because an anonymous complaint had been filed against him.”
CBS 11 News was unsuccessful in contacting Boutris, the other whistleblower, and Douglas Gawadzinski, who the FAA removed from overseeing Southwest Airlines last May.
On Monday, Southwest Airlines wasn’t commenting. The FAA has begun a major review of Southwest’s safety and maintenance procedures.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
See also:
http://themainbang.typepad.com/blog/2008/03/repeat-after-me.html
http://www.confidentialinformant.org/2008/03/16/fbi-investigates-threat-...
http://cbs11tv.com/local/Southwest.Airlines.FAA.2.674307.html
HEY, ALL YOU SOUTHWEST FANS AND AERO-SYCOPHANTS –
DO Y’ALL STILL TRUST SOUTHWEST WITH YOUR LIVES???
GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.
The Southwest safety issue is just another example of the FAA’s disregard for the safety of the flying public and the people who live along the flight paths. Quiet Rockland was formed to shed light on the FAA’s new Airspace Redesign Plan. A plan they claim would reduce delays. However, this redesign would be at the expense of the public. If they wanted to reduce delays, they could upgrade the system by scrapping the old instruments that still use tubes and start using a Satellite and GPS system. In fact, the GPS system in my car is superior to what they use to track aircraft in the New York metropolitan area. It appears that Quiet Rockland is under attack by those who have no knowledge of the Redesign Plan. A plan forced upon the residents of Rockland County, New York without a public hearing.
The Southwest safety issue is just another example of the FAA’s disregard for the safety of the flying public and the people who live along the flight paths. Quiet Rockland was formed to shed light on the FAA’s new Airspace Redesign Plan. A plan they claim would reduce delays. However, this redesign would be at the expense of the public. If they wanted to reduce delays, they could upgrade the system by scrapping the old instruments that still use tubes and start using a Satellite and GPS system. In fact, the GPS system in my car is superior to what they use to track aircraft in the New York metropolitan area. It appears that Quiet Rockland is under attack by those who have no knowledge of the Redesign Plan. A plan forced upon the residents of Rockland County, New York without a public hearing.
Before passing any judgment on John I want you to look at "faahope.com". I have been fighting the FAA for 2 years trying to get answers.
In my mission statement I ask "Will South Florida be the next New Orleans or worse? Why doesn't our government stop this? To give the FAA backup plan a true test will the bureaucrats, on one of the busiest days for flying, let's say Thanksgiving Eve, be willing to put their jobs on the line and try out their backup plan? See picture of what the area looks like if all radar is down for South Florida.
Until you people have to fight for your lives you will never understand how out of control the FAA is and how they never have to answer for anything that they do.
Johan and Malcolm,
John is not that kind of lawyer, he puts in many hours of his own time and money fighting for the rights of those in his community and Americans at large.
What we all as Americans should be outraged about here is the "Cozy" relationship that the FAA has with the airlines that allowed Southwest to get away with this insanity.
It looks like Southwest used it's "Cozy" relationship that is has with the FAA to go over the head of the inspector in this case.
Futhermore, the FBI is conducting a criminal investigation into possible threats, made against a local FAA inspector who blew the whistle on the FAA and Southwest.
http://cbs11tv.com/local/Southwest.Airlines.FAA.2.674307.html
Law Office of John J. Tormey III, Esq.
John J. Tormey III, PLLC
217 East 86th Street, PMB 221
New York, NY 10028 USA
(212) 410-4142 (phone)
(212) 410-2380 (fax)
e-mail: brightline@att.net
Quiet Rockland - No New Flights Over Rockland
John J. Tormey III, Esq.
P.O. Box 918
Pearl River, NY 10965 USA
(845) 735-9691 (phone)
Friday, March 14, 2008
VIA E-MAIL: “ny1@ic.fbi.gov”, and U.S. MAIL
Special Agent Mark J. Mershon, Assistant Director in Charge
FBI New York
26 Federal Plaza, 23rd Floor
New York, NY 10278-0004 USA
VIA U.S. MAIL
Special Agent Robert E. Casey Jr., Special Agent in Charge
ASAC Kevin F. Kolbye - Branch 2; and ASAC Michael J. Anderson – Branch 4
FBI Dallas
One Justice Way
Dallas, Texas 75220 USA
Re: Pending FBI Investigation Of Threat On Whistleblower Who Informed On FAA And Southwest
Dear Mark, Robert, Kevin, and Michael:
As you are aware, I am attorney and co-founder of a citizen group called “Quiet Rockland” which has opposed various acts of FAA malfeasance since last summer 2007, including direct FAA threat to my home community of Rockland County NY and the Hamlet of Pearl River where many law enforcement personnel themselves reside.
As of last night, Quiet Rockland and I understand from a news article posted at:
http://cbs11tv.com/local/Southwest.Airlines.FAA.2.674307.htmlhttp://cbs1...
that the FBI has now commenced an investigation into threat(s) made against one or more airplane-inspector/whistleblowers, who apparently informed on FAA and Southwest Airlines regarding cracked and un-inspected airplanes thereafter flown with passengers in them. I also understand that the relevant events may have occurred in the area of Dallas or Fort Worth, Texas, and DFW Airport.
I note that on last Sunday night, Quiet Rockland itself requested a criminal investigation of FAA and Southwest, by faxing and e-mailing a press release to many media, government and other recipients, including every member of the United States Congress. The text of the press release is posted at, inter alia:
http://media-newswire.com/release_1062069.html
While actively posting the call for the investigation and a consumer boycott of Southwest Airlines to a number of newspaper website message boards and other electronic information locations, it became apparent to me and others that Southwest Airlines and perhaps also FAA may have deputized a not-insubstantial number of persons to “blog” back, in an endeavor to effect some publicist-like “spin control” on what is obviously a very serious life-or-death matter of aviation safety. Normally, corporate (and perhaps even governmental) bloggers, a number of whom use anonymous cover and pseudonyms, might not pose a substantial problem. But in this case, it is believed by Quiet Rockland that the anonymous and other bloggers seeking to squelch lawful calls for citizen and governmental response to an aviation safety nightmare, may in fact be part of the same deceitful and criminal hydra that is the common enterprise of Southwest and FAA.
1. The most obvious example of these conspiratorial misuses of the electronic ether for aero-propaganda is found at Southwest’s own website at:
http://www.blogsouthwest.com/
2. However, I also ask that you please consider reviewing the blogged comments located at the website of the following “eturbonews” website:
http://www.eturbonews.com/1709/etn-mailbox-southwest-airlines-outrage#co...
In the event that the website takes down the blog’s text, I enclose a hard-copy of the blog-to-date to each of you, as well.
Specifically with respect to the “eturbonews” website, it appears that at what is thusfar a small number of individuals calling themselves by the following screen names may be working in concert with Southwest and perhaps also FAA, on a purposeful campaign to misinform the public - and thereby making themselves a continued threat to squelch free discourse, and knowledge of, and opposition to, a callous corporate and agency disregard for citizen and air traveler safety. By the time you access the blog electronically, others working in concert with them may post as well. The screen names are:
“Malcolm H”
“Johan Ramakers PhD”
Such endeavor on their part would be the hallmark of an oppressive totalitarian society. Thank God, The United States of America is not one of them, and never will be.
It is suggested herein that the same mindset that caused threats to be made against one or more airplane inspectors or aviation whistle-blowers, may well now also be the mindset behind a very concerted pattern undertaken by multiple individuals seeking to threaten those like Quiet Rockland who would dare to challenge and question the aero-mercantile complex. This is a public safety issue, and lives hang in the balance when every single Southwest Airlines plane goes up in the air. As a citizen whose house may end up being flown-over up to 600 times a day if the FAA follows-through on its intended NY/NJ/PA Airspace Redesign, I want to know what else Southwest Airlines and the FAA are currently seeking to squelch and suppress, too.
I will very much appreciate your looking into this matter, and apprising me of the status of your inquiry into
same if and as appropriate, and as you may be able. Thank you.
Respectfully,
John J. Tormey III, Esq.
Quiet Rockland - No New Flights Over Rockland
Pearl River, Rockland County, New York
Your vitriol borders on that of a crazy, and in my view completely out of line. Every day the Captains and Co-Pilots of every aircraft of every airline check the aircraft maintenance logbook before every flight. If they even remotely think an aircraft they are to fly is unsafe they have the power and in fact the obligation to ground it, since their butts are in the front seat right along with the passengers.
Don't misunderstand, I do not think Southwest is blameless for bending maintenance rules, however I do think that all of the airlines at times skirt maintenance obligations to some degree, though not at the risk of the safety of passengers and crews or people on the ground. I am quite pleased that the fact that these circumstances have come to light will make it harder for any carrier to cut corners. However I for one will continue to fly Southwest as often as I can and with great pleasure. They are one among the few U.S. carriers who treat their passengers with respect and courtesy. How often do you fly? Look at the aircraft of ANY of the major carriers. Southwest ships get more use and are more closely watched as they have more takeoffs and landings per aircraft than most other U.S. carriers and yet I find them to be in much better condition than most. Cool your jets!
What's your spiel Mr. Tormey III, Esq. Are you looking to organize a Class Action Lawsuit and benefit largely from proceeds or are you trying to make a name for yourself with ludicrous terminology such as the "aeromercantile complex". Come on Mr. Tormey III, Esq., give us an insight into your motivations to blow this whole thing way out of proportion. Just because government organizations are put in charge to provide the "ultimate supervisory" control over airline safety, does not mean that the airlines themselves don't have rigorous procedures in place, which I for one, trust more than anything the government supervises. And when it comes to Southwest, which I fly regularly, besides many other airlines, I like them! Most of their flights are on time, the flight crews are fun, their baggage handling has never failed me and the price is right. Do I have ulterior motives with this response? Sure I do. I don't want ignorant people like you direct their misguided efforts to improve world safety at companies that don't deserve your pathetic criticism. Direct it at the military industrial complex - if you have the guts-. They are much more dangerous to our health. Southwest will stand for its mistake, no doubt, just like I and many others will keep on trusting them to take us wherever we need to go, safely.
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