Cracks on a Plane

  Seems as if Southwest Airlines has a some problems with their maintenance regulations.

  The discount air travel company had a bit of “internal confusion”  when it came to the “requirements and performance” in their inspections.  They seemed to think that a few cracks in the fuselage were not dangerous.  I personally do not understand how something like this could happen.  If it is the least bit unsafe, especially with commercial air travel, the technicians should never have allowed it to be cleared to fly.  If it was a scheme to save money, it didn’t work because as a result the company had to ground 79 planes for re inspection.  A simple instance of “confusion” coasted Southwest Airlines a $10.2 million USD fine.  However more importantly it had the potential to cost lives. 

  I am not sure what reasons were behind the mistake although my guess would be bad management.  Someone discovered the crack and either that person, or the highly more likely, someone with a higher status made the decision that it was fine.  In my opinion, a mistake that involves others safety is completely unacceptable and the person who made it should be dealt with in a extreme manner.