Lesson in Courage

A good friend had to postpone her plans to come visit Southern California this weekend due to the grounding of American Airlines’ flights. Fortunately for her, she had not yet begun her journey, so she was spared the extreme inconvenience experienced by thousands of passengers stranded across the country. As I wrote words that I hoped would bring her comfort, the most amazing insight came. God bless Bobby Boutris. He’s the man responsible for grounding thousands of flights, and we owe him our deepest gratitude for doing so. Because of this one man’s unwavering courage, the entire flying public is now safer. So if you’re feeling upset, like my friend was, because your plans were changed, you may want to reframe your thoughts. Bobby Boutris may have saved your life.

Last week the 56-year-old FAA employee testified before the House Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill and revealed years of unconscionable business practices by Southwest Airlines and complicit staff of the FAA. Those unscrupulous individuals literally put the lives of the flying public at risk by fudging safety records, and since 2003 Mr. Boutris, at great cost to himself and his family, has been on our side. His testimony was such a revelation in fact that the safety standards and practices of four other airlines are now under investigation, hence the flight cancellations.

In the Dallas Morning News Mr. Boutris was quoted as saying, “Anything that goes against a standard and against the law is worth fighting.“

Most of us would agree with his sentiment. But I wonder how many of us would practice our beliefs to the extent that Mr. Boutris did. Pacified with material goods and fearful of economic peril, how many of us would sacrifice so much for the common good?

In 2003 Mr. Boutris brought the muddy safety records of Southwest airlines to the attention of his supervisor, Douglas Gawadzinski. Boutris’ valid concerns were ignored. In the all too familiar scenario, it turns out that Mr. Gawadzinski had a very cozy relationship with Southwest Airlines regulatory compliance manager Paul Comeau. The solution to Boutris’ persistent concern for the public’s safety was a reassignment of his job in 2006. When the man who replaced him, Douglas Peters, sided with Boutris’ findings In 2007, the FAA used a highly suspicious excuse to relieve Boutris of his day to day responsibilities for oversight of Southwest inspections. As if all of that wasn’t intimidating enough, this year, when it was announced that Congress would grant him and fellow whistle blower Peters a hearing, the plot got really dark. Mr. Boutris received a death threat. The FBI is presently investigating that.

Last week I heard a radio interview with Mr. Boutris and could not help but notice his Greek accent. The fact that he immigrated to America, in 1975, makes his story all the more moving and remarkable to me, especially in this election year. He’s someone who left his homeland for the promise of America. Ultimately that promised was kept. Our country and the world are better for people like Mr. Boutris. In an age of skepticism and cynicism, I find him truly heroic. And personally, I consider what happened a small miracle. So the next time someone suggests that your work on a political or social issue is insignificant or meaningless, I hope you will think of Mr. Boutris, the thousands of grounded flights, an entire aviation system that has now been called into question, and the vast difference that one person can make.

And as I’m posting today, I of course want to wish the Good Friday Peace Accord and people of Ireland, North and South, a very happy 10th Anniversary. It was ten years ago today that the accord was signed by their politicians. In May it will be ten years since the public ratified it by voting for peace, a peace they now share. Don’t let anyone tell you that your vote doesn’t count.

With love,
Elizabeth