Boeing has been reducing quality assurance positions and has plans to reduce more.

[suffragette]

This article is from Feb 2019. I wonder if their plans are staying the same given the two recent crashes.

Shortcoming in Boeing quality-control audit draws scrutiny from inspectors, FAA
Originally published February 1, 2019 at 6:00 am Updated February 1, 2019 at 8:03 pm

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeings-move-toward-fewer-inspectors-questioned-following-quality-control-audit/

In the last quarter of 2018, Boeing failed one element of its quality control audit on the 747, 767 and 777 legacy airplane programs in Everett, a setback in its plan to shift its quality system to one that relies on fewer inspectors overseeing the work of mechanics.

Quality inspectors at Boeing, angry at management’s plan to streamline and automate some quality-control processes with fewer inspectors overseeing the work of mechanics, point to a recent quality-control audit that missed one of its targets as evidence that the company’s effort is unwise.

Boeing plans to eliminate up to 900 quality- inspector positions as part of a sweeping transformation of its manufacturing system over the next two years. The idea is to move away from reliance on inspections by a second set of eyes to find any defects after a mechanic does a job. Instead, Boeing is redesigning tasks to make it easier for mechanics to get things right first time, and deploying smart tools and digital technology to track and monitor quality.

[Sherman A1]

1. Boeing's future is likely to contain

an increased number of lawyers who I see fully employed for many years to come.

[suffragette]

15. Seems likely.

[democratisphere]

2. Cutting corners for increased profits is no way to run this operation.

I would be dumping Boeing stock until the executive management is replaced with competent people. In the meantime, other companies like Airbus are going to have a landslide of business.

[moondust]

3. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do

to produce another multibillionaire or two. That's just how it is, ya know.

[CentralMass]

4. What could go wrong ?

[Doreen]

5. I think the first people who should have to

fly in those planes is everyone in this administration. If they feel rules of quality is not important then they should have no problem whatsoever to fly in them.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

6. Wall Street is now in charge of quality control, in essence.

The never-ending demand for increasing margins and efficiencies surely has practical limits, but no one seems to have that vision.

In addition, international competition amplifies the effects of the Street's demands, but to what end?

Just another gaping, dark hole in Repug's beloved free-market capitalism theories......

[suffragette]

19. Absolutely correct about it being a "never-ending demand." Sadly so.

[bluecollar2]

7. As a former Quality Assurance Inspector

For a major airline I am not surprised at all by this development.

It is an incredibly complex problem trying to maintain both productivity and reliability in an industry where the margin for error is so thin.

The FAA has gradually removed itself from its regulatory oversight responsibility and that role has been taken over by the manufacturer/airline/repair facility.

During my career many of the tasks that were traditionally "bought off" by inspectors were reassigned to non-inspectors as "confirmation" checks rather than "required inspection" items.

The other issue that has to be addressed....who is watching the hen house? Who monitors the monitor?

[suffragette]

8. Great point about the transition from required inspection to confirmation and the weakening of

regulatory oversight.

Thank you for your insightful input.

[bluecollar2]

10. You're welcome.

There's nothing inherently wrong with changing procedures but we have to keep in mind that the hardest factor to account for is the human factor.

Fortunately, the vast majority of people involved in aviation are conscientious , dedicated individuals who are unwilling to compromise quality and safety.

Unfortunately, that particular ethical standard is not as prevalent among the marketing and finance departments where the emphasis is more on "getting it to the gate" and saving costs.

The key, in my opinion is to have a Quality Program that is independent of influence by outside factors.

[dalton99a]

13. +1. Boeing ranks high among trusted American products because of manufacturing quality

[Sherman A1]

16. One suspects that is about to change

and it will take a very, very long time to recover.

[suffragette]

14. Agree that is key and about dedication of the people. Reducing that in the name of profit is

not a good plan.

[roamer65]

9. They're handing the business to Airbus on a silver platter.

I prefer Airbus aircraft anyway.

[OliverQ]

11. Not the thing you want to read when you're flying international in 4 weeks.

[dalton99a]

12. How long before a government bailout?

[Ilsa]

17. Cheaper to pay off families of the dead

than do the job right, I guess.

[tblue37]

18. K&R for visibility. nt