Staff Reports
Boeing’s top brass made a trip to Capitol Hill, and it was a spectacle worth the price of admission. CEO Dave Calhoun faced off with lawmakers over the latest fiasco: a door plug blowing off a 737 Max 9 mid-air. Safety concerns are nothing new for Boeing, with a trail of issues already in their rearview mirror. However, Calhoun had to handle more than just pointed questions this time. He faced grieving families holding photos of loved ones who perished in the infamous 737 Max crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia—events tied to Boeing’s faulty software.
Exchange between Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Boeing CEO David Calhoun on compensation and transparency.
Hawley: "What is it that you get paid, currently?"
Calhoun: "It's well disclosed…it's a big number."
Hawley: "It's $32.8 million this year…that's a 45% increase…" pic.twitter.com/LM21Th5HCs
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 18, 2024
In a well-rehearsed apology, Calhoun expressed regret for the losses suffered by these families, claiming he spoke for all Boeing employees globally. Yet, actions speak louder than PR spin, and Boeing’s track record isn’t exactly winning any medals. Whistleblowers have repeatedly raised the alarm about safety and quality issues, only to face retaliation. The Senate released a report indicating that the aerospace giant has consistently chosen to cut corners to hasten production and save money at the expense of safety.
Boeing CEO just told me he’s proud of his safety record. Has he noticed from his executive suite that his planes are falling out of the sky? pic.twitter.com/L1O1WEUBpm
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) June 18, 2024
Case in point: whistleblower Sam Mohawk blew the lid off Boeing’s shady practices in Renton, Washington. He witnessed officials scrambling to hide non-compliant parts before an FAA inspection, underscoring a systemic problem. Boeing, predictably, denied these allegations, trotting out the usual corporate platitudes about encouraging employees to report concerns.
The Senate report adds another layer of scandal. In the wake of the Lion Air crash, Boeing slashed its quality inspector workforce significantly. It even allowed unqualified manufacturing workers to inspect their own work! The FAA had to step in, and after some enforcement action, Boeing supposedly cleaned up its act. But skeptics aren’t buying this fairytale of redemption, especially not after the January door plug debacle.
Boeing’s planes are falling out of the sky in pieces – but the CEO makes $33 million. A year. What exactly is he getting paid to do? The answer: strip mine Boeing for corporate profit pic.twitter.com/i16GOPNm6L
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) June 18, 2024
Senator Josh Hawley didn’t mince words when he grilled Calhoun. Hawley’s sharp interrogation delved into how Calhoun managed to pocket an eye-popping $33 million salary despite the Boeing debacles. The senator zeroed in on the company’s relentless penny-pinching and corner-cutting, accusing Calhoun of strip-mining one of America’s most iconic companies for shareholder profit.
Calhoun disagreed with Hawley’s characterization in true corporate fashion, proclaiming pride in Boeing’s safety record. The exchange left all but the most cynical viewers raising an eyebrow. Hawley’s retort captured the sentiment of many as he pointed out the glaring disconnect between executive compensation and Boeing’s actual performance. It was a masterclass in political theater, yet tragically underscored by the real lives lost due to corporate negligence. Boeing’s saga continues, but one thing is clear: Main Street Americans are getting fed up with Wall Street’s unchecked avarice.
