
A Boeing 737 Max 8. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
A Boeing 737 Max 8. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Update: President Donald Trump grounded the planes this afternoon.
Consumer advocate Ralph Nader believes Boeing should ground its fleet of 737 Max 8 airplanes.
The message comes as the world struggles to understand what happened to Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which crashed Sunday, March 10, killing 157. The accident came just four months after the crash of Indonesian Lion Air Flight 610 in October--also a 737 Max 8.
Nader's grand-niece, Samya Stumo, died in the crash. The Sheffield, Mass., native was an employee of education publisher ThinkWell and was ultimately headed to Uganda for work.
In an open letter to Boeing executives published Wednesday, Nader said that the airplane manufacturer was behaving as a company "used to having its way" and not in the interests of American lives.
"Stop digging in your heels," Nader wrote. "Tell the airlines to stop digging in their heels."
In response to the Ethiopian Airlines disaster, most countries across the world grounded the planes. The European Union shut down flights by the plane, taking down a fleet that makes up two thirds of the total number of planes in use. The U.S. stands almost alone in its continued use of the 737 Max 8.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in a statement, said it saw no evidence the planes were unsafe.
"The FAA continues to review extensively all available data and aggregate safety performance from operators and pilots of the Boeing 737 MAX," the agency said. "Thus far, our review shows no systemic performance issues and provides no basis to order grounding the aircraft."
The calls for the U.S. to ground the flights are getting louder, and not just from Nader.
\u201cTransport Minister Marc Garneau is grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 airplanes in Canada over safety concerns arising from the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight that killed all on board, including 18 Canadians. https://t.co/o1v6amqvSM\u201d— The Canadian Press News (@The Canadian Press News) 1552492601
Action on the planes should be taken out of an "abundance of caution," said the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO.
\u201cWe\u2019re calling on the FAA to temporarily ground the 737 MAX fleet in the US out of an abundance of caution in the wake of a second fatal accident involving the 737 MAX 8, & until FAA-identified fixes to the plane can be installed, communicated, & confirmed. https://t.co/pYzvFEgej1\u201d— AFA-CWA (@AFA-CWA) 1552412005
If Boeing and the government don't take action, said actress Nicole Yvette-Brown, then just don't fly.
\u201cSince Boeing and your president don\u2019t care about your safety, I suggest that if you fly you make sure you are not on a #Boeing737Max. Every flight lists the airplane on that route. I suggest you do your research and avoid that plane. I\u2019m going to. BTW @Delta doesn\u2019t fly them.\u201d— yvette nicole brown (@yvette nicole brown) 1552429262
Nader, in his concluding remarks, tried to appeal to the corporation's baser, profit-oriented instincts.
"Once an aircraft starts to carry a stigma in the minds of passengers, time is of the essence," said Nader. "You know all about branding's pluses and minuses."
"It is better to act now before being forced to act, whether by Congress, the FAA, a prosecution, or another aircraft disaster that could have been avoided."
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Update: President Donald Trump grounded the planes this afternoon.
Consumer advocate Ralph Nader believes Boeing should ground its fleet of 737 Max 8 airplanes.
The message comes as the world struggles to understand what happened to Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which crashed Sunday, March 10, killing 157. The accident came just four months after the crash of Indonesian Lion Air Flight 610 in October--also a 737 Max 8.
Nader's grand-niece, Samya Stumo, died in the crash. The Sheffield, Mass., native was an employee of education publisher ThinkWell and was ultimately headed to Uganda for work.
In an open letter to Boeing executives published Wednesday, Nader said that the airplane manufacturer was behaving as a company "used to having its way" and not in the interests of American lives.
"Stop digging in your heels," Nader wrote. "Tell the airlines to stop digging in their heels."
In response to the Ethiopian Airlines disaster, most countries across the world grounded the planes. The European Union shut down flights by the plane, taking down a fleet that makes up two thirds of the total number of planes in use. The U.S. stands almost alone in its continued use of the 737 Max 8.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in a statement, said it saw no evidence the planes were unsafe.
"The FAA continues to review extensively all available data and aggregate safety performance from operators and pilots of the Boeing 737 MAX," the agency said. "Thus far, our review shows no systemic performance issues and provides no basis to order grounding the aircraft."
The calls for the U.S. to ground the flights are getting louder, and not just from Nader.
\u201cTransport Minister Marc Garneau is grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 airplanes in Canada over safety concerns arising from the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight that killed all on board, including 18 Canadians. https://t.co/o1v6amqvSM\u201d— The Canadian Press News (@The Canadian Press News) 1552492601
Action on the planes should be taken out of an "abundance of caution," said the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO.
\u201cWe\u2019re calling on the FAA to temporarily ground the 737 MAX fleet in the US out of an abundance of caution in the wake of a second fatal accident involving the 737 MAX 8, & until FAA-identified fixes to the plane can be installed, communicated, & confirmed. https://t.co/pYzvFEgej1\u201d— AFA-CWA (@AFA-CWA) 1552412005
If Boeing and the government don't take action, said actress Nicole Yvette-Brown, then just don't fly.
\u201cSince Boeing and your president don\u2019t care about your safety, I suggest that if you fly you make sure you are not on a #Boeing737Max. Every flight lists the airplane on that route. I suggest you do your research and avoid that plane. I\u2019m going to. BTW @Delta doesn\u2019t fly them.\u201d— yvette nicole brown (@yvette nicole brown) 1552429262
Nader, in his concluding remarks, tried to appeal to the corporation's baser, profit-oriented instincts.
"Once an aircraft starts to carry a stigma in the minds of passengers, time is of the essence," said Nader. "You know all about branding's pluses and minuses."
"It is better to act now before being forced to act, whether by Congress, the FAA, a prosecution, or another aircraft disaster that could have been avoided."
Update: President Donald Trump grounded the planes this afternoon.
Consumer advocate Ralph Nader believes Boeing should ground its fleet of 737 Max 8 airplanes.
The message comes as the world struggles to understand what happened to Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which crashed Sunday, March 10, killing 157. The accident came just four months after the crash of Indonesian Lion Air Flight 610 in October--also a 737 Max 8.
Nader's grand-niece, Samya Stumo, died in the crash. The Sheffield, Mass., native was an employee of education publisher ThinkWell and was ultimately headed to Uganda for work.
In an open letter to Boeing executives published Wednesday, Nader said that the airplane manufacturer was behaving as a company "used to having its way" and not in the interests of American lives.
"Stop digging in your heels," Nader wrote. "Tell the airlines to stop digging in their heels."
In response to the Ethiopian Airlines disaster, most countries across the world grounded the planes. The European Union shut down flights by the plane, taking down a fleet that makes up two thirds of the total number of planes in use. The U.S. stands almost alone in its continued use of the 737 Max 8.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in a statement, said it saw no evidence the planes were unsafe.
"The FAA continues to review extensively all available data and aggregate safety performance from operators and pilots of the Boeing 737 MAX," the agency said. "Thus far, our review shows no systemic performance issues and provides no basis to order grounding the aircraft."
The calls for the U.S. to ground the flights are getting louder, and not just from Nader.
\u201cTransport Minister Marc Garneau is grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 airplanes in Canada over safety concerns arising from the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight that killed all on board, including 18 Canadians. https://t.co/o1v6amqvSM\u201d— The Canadian Press News (@The Canadian Press News) 1552492601
Action on the planes should be taken out of an "abundance of caution," said the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO.
\u201cWe\u2019re calling on the FAA to temporarily ground the 737 MAX fleet in the US out of an abundance of caution in the wake of a second fatal accident involving the 737 MAX 8, & until FAA-identified fixes to the plane can be installed, communicated, & confirmed. https://t.co/pYzvFEgej1\u201d— AFA-CWA (@AFA-CWA) 1552412005
If Boeing and the government don't take action, said actress Nicole Yvette-Brown, then just don't fly.
\u201cSince Boeing and your president don\u2019t care about your safety, I suggest that if you fly you make sure you are not on a #Boeing737Max. Every flight lists the airplane on that route. I suggest you do your research and avoid that plane. I\u2019m going to. BTW @Delta doesn\u2019t fly them.\u201d— yvette nicole brown (@yvette nicole brown) 1552429262
Nader, in his concluding remarks, tried to appeal to the corporation's baser, profit-oriented instincts.
"Once an aircraft starts to carry a stigma in the minds of passengers, time is of the essence," said Nader. "You know all about branding's pluses and minuses."
"It is better to act now before being forced to act, whether by Congress, the FAA, a prosecution, or another aircraft disaster that could have been avoided."