Boeing's Reckoning: Profit Over Safety Costs Public Trust
The documentary 'Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing' delves into the shocking reports and allegations against the American multinational airplane manufacturing company. Directed by Rory Kennedy, the film takes a deep-dive into the investigation efforts that followed the malpractices within the company.
According to current and ex-employees, one thing that was very much a part of the company ethos at Boeing before 2005 was the extreme dedication towards safety. Whenever any employee brought any lapse of safety protocol to the notice of their superiors, the entire production line would be halted, and the particular matter would be fixed first.
However, as soon as Jim McNerney took over as CEO in 2005, he changed this approach. The new CEO prioritized profits over safety, leading to massive cost-cutting measures. Boeing decided to outsource parts to multiple manufacturers from all over the world, which resulted in a lack of quality control and numerous safety issues.
The company's disregard for safety became even more apparent with the introduction of the 737 MAX model. The CEO decided to put newer, more fuel-efficient engines onto the bodies of old models, creating a cost-efficient hybrid. However, this led to massive problems, including electric wires being carelessly jammed into corners through fasteners.