don't blow the whistle

read today re: Northwest Airlines:

Meanwhile, some details emerged Thursday from an FAA inspector's memo that raised questions about the work of replacement mechanics.

In the Aug. 22 memo, obtained by Minnesota Public Radio News, inspector Mark Lund said he found numerous examples of worker errors, including a line maintenance manager who couldn't find the right switches to do an engine check on an Airbus A320; a replacement mechanic who didn't know he had to set the brakes on a plane so he could check brake wear pins; and a replacement who wasn't sure how to close a passenger entry door on a Boeing 757.

Greg Martin, an FAA spokesman in Washington, confirmed the authenticity of the memo.

Lund has been reassigned to a desk job after the airline complained to FAA supervisors that he had been acting unprofessionally. Martin said the agency's investigation into the safety concerns and Northwest's complaint against the inspector might be resolved by next week.

Lund's memo prompted Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., to seek assurances from the FAA that a thorough investigation would be conducted. Dayton said last week he'd been assured by FAA Administrator Marion Blakey that she's seen nothing from inspectors indicating a safety concern at the airline.
So, with this party in power, if you blow the whistle you get "re-assigned to
a desk job" as a warning to others. How nice. Remember at voting time.