A Lesson in Babbitt's Just Culture

Once upon a time, the FAA was led by Russ Chew, Hank Krakowski, Randy Babbitt. They're all gone now, having shuffled off after their.. well, accomplishments... but they've left their programs and buzz-themes in place for the attorneys and non-aviators to administer. One of their big programs was the "just culture", a social structure based on integrity, trust, respect and confidence.

• Babbitt resigns as FAA head days after arrest on drunk driving charge

  Aware that the Fairfax City police are required to make public DWI arrests of public officials, Babbitt made what may be his final flight at the controls of an airplane Monday morning.
  
  Babbitt and an FAA pilot boarded an FAA Cessna Citation designated as “November 2” and flew out of Reagan National Airport. With Babbitt in the co-pilot’s seat, the plane flew for hours, returning in early afternoon as news of his arrest became public.

• Randy Babbitt: The Second Reason He Needed to Resign
  • surprised the boss
  • took the company jet out for one more day
  
  
• Drunk Driving Charges Dismissed Against Former FAA Chief Randy Babbitt.

  Key line: A prosecutor said in court that later tests showed Babbitt exceeding the legal limit, but the case was dismissed before that evidence was presented. “I’m happy to have it behind me,” Babbitt said afterward. “Candidly, it’s been a tough time.”
  
  Babbitt said Thursday that he was not sorry that he had resigned and that he had no ill will toward the officer who arrested him. Babbitt said he planned to work in aviation consulting.

Russ and Hank have become value-adding advisors to the indu$try that profits from their programs. Randy certainly is gracious in not having any ill will toward the police officer who kick-started his transition into the same sort of lucrative prostitution employment. edit: correction, h/t Anon