Cockroaches of the Factory : B737 Employees Speak Out on a Chaotic Work Environment

During a recent two-day hearing conducted by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing workers provided alarming testimonies about the chaotic and high-pressure work environment they faced.

This hearing is part of an ongoing investigation into a serious incident involving a Boeing 737 MAX that occurred in January. According to a CNN report, the incident in question involved a sudden loss of a door plug at 16,000 feet, causing rapid decompression.

This terrifying event led to a chaotic scene on board, with oxygen masks deploying and passengers’ clothing being pulled off. Fortunately, the skilled pilots managed to land the plane safely, averting a potential disaster and saving all lives on board.

Over the past seven months, NTSB investigators conducted numerous interviews as part of the investigation. Many of these interviews were presented as transcripts during the hearing. One of the workers, identified only as “Assembler Installer Doors B,” described the immense pressure to meet production targets, leading to frequent mistakes.

“As far as the workload, I feel like we were definitely trying to put out too much product, right?” the worker explained. “That’s how mistakes are made. People try to work too fast. I mean, I can’t speak for anybody else, but we were busy. We were working a lot.”

Further testimony highlighted a significant communication breakdown between Boeing and its supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, which manufactured the plane’s fuselage. Issues with rivets near the door plug required repairs, but miscommunication led to a critical oversight when the door plug was removed for maintenance.

“Well, basically, we’re the cockroaches of the factory,” another unidentified employee told NTSB investigators, capturing the sentiment of many who felt undervalued and overburdened.

The NTSB stated that it will “use the information gathered to complete the investigation, determine probable cause, and make recommendations to improve transportation safety.” This hearing sheds light on the pressures and communication failures within Boeing, emphasizing the need for better workplace practices to ensure the safety and well-being of both employees and passengers.