Better Get A King If There's Going To Be This Many In Bed With Each Other

So a complaint was filed with the DOT IG's office concerning Marion Blakey's odoriferous announcement during her term as FAA Administrator that she had not only been shopping her services around but had apparently---against all sanity and Las Vegas odds---found a willing buyer.  Much like E-Bay, the story here is that David Hannum (not P.T. Barnum) was right.

I was not the only one to be concerned then; if you check out this article in Federal Times, you can see that watchdog groups held their noses in disgust at another Bush appointee cashing in on their "service."   In the article you can also see outgoing AIA spokesmodel John Douglass making an absolute ass of himself trying to defend the practice of public servants turning their crummy five year stints at the helm of a second rate agency into a $750,000 a year bonanza pimping for the very companies the public used to oversee and regulate.   

Download OIGResponse.rtf

Interesting.  It doesn't take much snooping to see that there was at least the appearance of impropriety, if not outright conflict of interest, in Marion Blakey's involvement with NexGen and her appointment to the position at ATA.  In fact, the FAA's August 29 announcement that ATA member ITT had won the first of many billion dollar contracts to bring NexGen on line twenty years from now and a few billion dollars over budget was both transparent and revealing. 

It's also interesting that according to the response, Blakey allegedly recused herself from "matters associated with AIA" beginning on June 29, 2007, a full two months before her new position became public.  I wonder what those public watchdog groups would make of that.  I suppose we should give her the benefit of the doubt...she was probably doing all of this job hunting off the clock...except that, when I was NATCA-1, there was no such thing as "off the clock." The position is a 24/7/365 kind of gig.  So maybe she found it at Monster.com or screwyouremployees.net or something.

Wai-wai-wait a minute here.  Marion Blakey "recused" herself from "matters associated with AIA?!?!?!?!?!?"  And the DOT IG bought it??????  OH-Kay......that means she disqualified herself from participation in any discussion or decision or policy or matters concerning

AAI Corporation
Accenture
Aerojet
AeroVironment, Inc.
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
AirLaunch LLC
Allfast Fastening Systems, Inc.
American Pacific Corporation
AMT II Corporation
Analytical Graphics, Inc.
Andrews Space
Armor Holdings Aerospace & Defense, Inc.
ATK
Aurora Flight Sciences
AUSCO, Inc.
B&E Group, LLC
B/E Aerospace, Inc.
BAE SYSTEMS, INC.
Barnes Aerospace
The Boeing Company
Celestica Corporation
Click Bond, Inc.
Click Commerce
Cobham
Computer Sciences Corporation
Crane Aerospace & Electronics
Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Curtiss-Wright Controls, Inc.
Metal Improvement Company
Dassault Falcon Jet Corporation
Doncasters, Inc.
DRS Technologies, Inc.
Ducommun Incorporated
DuPont Company
Eaton Aerospace LLC
Eclipse Aviation
EDO Corporation
EDS
Elbit Systems of America
Embraer Aircraft Holding Inc.
Erickson Air-Crane Incorporated
ESIS, Inc.
Esterline Technologies
Evergreen International Aviation
Exostar LLC
Flextronics International USA
Flight Safety International Inc.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
General Dynamics Corporation
General Electric
GKN Aerospace
Goodrich Corporation
Airframe Systems
Engine Systems
Electronic Systems
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Groen Brothers Aviation Inc.
Harris Corporation  Hawker Beechcraft Corporation
HEICO Corporation
Hexcel Corporation
HITCO Carbon Composites
Honeywell
IBM Corporation
ITT
Kaman Aerospace Corporation
L-3 Communications Corporation
LAI International, Inc.
LMI Aerospace Inc.
Lockheed Martin Corporation
3M Company
Martin-Baker America Inc.
McKechnie Aerospace
Meggitt Vibro-Meter Inc.
Micro-Coax, Inc.
MicroSat Systems, Inc.
MOOG Inc.
Natel Engineering Co. Inc.
National Machine Group
National Machine Company
National Aviation Products, Inc.
National Technical Systems
Northrop Grumman Corporation
NYLOK Corporation
Omega Air, Inc.
Oracle USA, Inc.
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Advanced Systems Division
Pall Aeropower Corporation
Parker Aerospace
Pinkerton Government Services, Inc.
PRIMUS Technologies Corporation
Proficiency Inc.
Raytheon Company
Remmele Engineering, Inc.
Rockwell Collins
Rolls-Royce North America Inc.
RTI International Metals, Inc.
Satyam Computer Services Ltd
Science Applications International Corporation
Shaw Aero Devices, Inc.
SITA
Space Exploration Technologies Corporation
Sparton Corporation
Spirit AeroSystems
Teleflex Inc.
Textron Inc.
The NORDAM Group
Timken Aerospace Transmissions, LLC Purdy Systems
United Technologies Corporation
Pratt & Whitney
Sikorsky
Hamilton Sundstrand
Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.
Woodward Governor Company 

Acromil Corporation
ADI American Distributors, Inc.
Air Industries Machining Corporation
Airborn Operating L.P.
Airfasco Industries, Inc.
Albany Engineered Composites
Alcoa Fastening Systems
Alken Industries Inc.
Allegiant Global Services, LLC
Allen Aircraft Products, Inc.
AMETEK Aerospace & Defense
Anaren Microwave, Inc.
Ancon Gear & Instrument Corporation
Arkwin Industries, Inc.
Arrow/Zeus Electronics, div. of Arrow Electronics
Astronautics Corporation of America
ASTRONIC
AVChem, Inc.
Avetec, Inc.
Avionics Specialties, Inc.
Avnet Electronics Marketing
Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc.
Banneker Industries, Inc.
Blenheim Capital Services
Blue Gill Consulting Group, LLC
Brogdon Tool & Die, Inc.
Brush Wellman Inc.
BTC Electronic Components
Burton Industries Aerospace Heat Treating Inc.
California Manufacturing Technology Consulting
Capo Industries Inc.
Celltron Inc.
CFI-PAC Foundries
Chandler/May, Inc.
Cherokee Nation Distributors
Cincinnati Machine, A Unova Company
Circle Seal Controls, Inc.
CMC Electronics
Co-Operative Industries Defense, LLC
Coalition Solutions Integrated, Inc.
Cohesia Corporation
Cristek Interconnects, Inc.
Cytec Engineered Materials
Dassault Systems of America
Data Conversion Laboratory, Inc.
Dayton T. Brown Inc.
Delphi Corporation
Designed Metal Connections
Doyle Center for Manufacturing Technology
DynaBil Industries, Inc.
EDAG Inc.
Electronic/Fasteners, Inc.
Emhart Teknologies
Black & Decker Company
Endicott Interconnect Technologies, Inc.
ENSCO, Inc.
Exotic Metals Forming Company LLC
Fenn Technologies
The Ferco Group
Ferguson Metals, Inc.
Ferguson Perforating
Forrest Machining, Inc.
Frontier Electronic Systems Corporation
G.S. Precision, Inc.
GEAR Software
Greene, Tweed & Co.
GuardianEdge Technologies
H&S Swansons' Tool Company
Haas TCM
Harvard Custom Manufacturing
HCL Technologies America
HDL Research Lab, Inc.
Heartland Precision Fasteners
Aerospace Plating Company
Heizer Aerospace
Hi-Temp Insulation Inc.
Hitachi Consulting
Hobart Machined Products Inc.
iBASEt
IDD Aerospace Corporation
Industrial Metals Intl. Ltd.
Infotech Enterprises America Inc.
Inmedius
Integrated Sourcing
ION Corporation
Jade Equipment Corporation
JRH Electronics, LLC.
KPMG LLP-Risk Advisory Services
Kreisler Manufacturing Corporation
Kreisler Industrial Corporation
Kreisler Polska sp. z. o o.
Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
L. Gordon Packaging
M/A-COM, Inc.
Meyer Tool Inc.
Microsemi Corporation
Mid-State Aerospace Inc.
Mil Spec Sales Co.
Millitech, Inc.
Morris Machine Company, Inc.
MPC Products Corporation
Navigant Consulting, Inc.
New Breed Corporation
NMC Group, Inc.
Norfil Manufacturing, Inc.
North Cape RIM Manufacturing
NYF Corporation
O'Neil & Associates, Inc.
Orion Industries
P3 - North America, Inc.
Parkway Products, Inc.
PCA Aerostructures
PCC Airfoils, LLC
Performance Software Corporation
Perillo Industries, Inc.
PGM of New England, LLC
Plexus Corporation
Plymouth Extruded Shapes
Plymouth Tube Company
Precision Aircraft Machining Co., Inc.
Precision Gear
Precision Machine & Manufacturing Co.
Precision Tube Bending
PTC
Quest (Quality Engineering & Software Technologies) PVT Ltd.
Radant Technologies, Inc.
Ranal
REMEC Defense & Space, Inc.
Renaissance Services
Reyes Machining
Rodelco Electronics Corporation
Rubbercraft
Saalex Solutions, Inc.
Safe Flight Instrument Corporation
Sanmina - SCI Corporation
SEAKR Engineering
Sechan Electronics, Inc.
Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems US Inc.
Senior Aerospace
Service Steel Aerospace
Servotronics, Inc.
Sigma Metals, Inc.
Signal International
Southco, Inc.
Spectralux Corporation
Spincraft
Spirit Electronics, Inc.
Starwin Industries
Sunbelt Industrial Supply Co. Inc.
Sypris Electronics, LLC
Tedopres International, Inc.
TEK Precision Co. Ltd.
Telephonics Corporation
Therm, Inc.
Thermal Solutions, Inc.
TIGHITCO, Inc.
TMX Aerospace
Tri Polus Inc.
TTI, Inc.
TTM Technologies, Inc.
TW Metals
UGS
UMA, Inc.
Unicircuit Inc.
Universal ID Systems, Division of Commerce Overseas Corporation.
Unlimited Innovations
Vishay
Vulcanium Metals Incorporated
Waer Systems, Inc.
Welding Metallurgy, Inc.
West Cobb Engineering & Tool Co. Inc.
Wind River Systems
Windings, Inc.
X-Ray Industries
Xerox Corporation
XyEnterprise
Yarde Metals

Son of a bitch!!  I think that crafty Marion Blakey might have taken a two-month early shove on her position.  She took off early.  She left without signing out on the CRU-X.  I think she might owe the American taxpayer two months salary, because if you are FAA Administrator and you can't be involved in those companies or their subsidiaries, then pretty much the only thing you have left to do with your day is jack with your own employees and have cake and punch with the Headquarters types in the cafeteria to celebrate another great Employee Attitude Survey.

Oh.   

Ouch.

On the transparent hand, I think it might have been Bobert Sturgell's first turn at the big kid's microphone.  Marion's name is nowhere to be found on the announcement, even though her manicured fingernails are dug into NexGen's forearm like a high school date at a slasher flick. 

The announcement is revealing, though, in the cavalcade of companies lining up at the trough to share in the government's largess when it comes to the FAA's historic failure to manage a modernization project.  Compare the two:  The bottom of the FAA announcement with the list of AIA members.  I think you'll find what the DOTIG so stubbornly fails to:  a clear and compelling case of government fingers stickier than a barrel of gummy bears.

NOW I know what Marion meant when she said she would have "the right people in the right place at the right time."  I'm sure the shareholders of ITT, SAIC, L-3 Communications, and other financial beneficiaries of her decisionmaking while FAA Administrator will agree:  They were the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

LATE BREAKING EDIT:  The very first comment to this blog contained THIS STORY, which contains a graph.  If a picture is worth a thousand words, this one is worth three quarters of a million.  Check it out!   

Comments

[TrainRider]

It seems that others have noticed this also. Apparently only the Justice Department and Congress are the only ones that don't see a problem with her move.

http://news.muckety.com/2007/12/16/faa-chief-moves-to-high-paying-industry-job/250

[nutts]

i get a kick out of the phrase that she is an expert in avaition, ask here how many jet engines are on a DC-9 (hay marion the answer is not 9)

[So It Goes.........]

Gee Wiz!!! I wonder why people dont speak up and tell the truth. Cover ups and more b.s. Lets see... Not one reporter at the Liberal New York Times would pick this story up?? George Soros where are you???

[On Strike]

I don't think anyone gives a sh*t. It's business as usual. It's been going on for years so I don't think it will change anytime soon or ever.

[justjeff]

She’s an expert in the aerospace industry,”

BWAAAAHAAAA

The truth is nobody in gov. wants to change this cuz they are all hoping for the same type deal.

[Concerned]

Off subject, but ....

http://www.airportbusiness.com/interactive/2007/12/19/pilot-and-controller-shortages/

GO, POST!

[FromAway]

Blakey also has ties to Red-Light Camera, from her previous position at Agnew & Blakey law firm, now run partly by her sister. Red-Light Camera was bought out I believe by Lockheed Martin. Blakey gave the FSS to Lockheed Martin. Her ethics are old news.

[abieber]

Someone told me long ago, the laws are made to protect the rich because the poor have nothing to protect. That is why Cheney , Bush, Blakey, Scooter, and every other piece of shit criminal in this administration won't get Justice. Because when it comes to getting fucked by the Judicial system it's "JUST US" ,Said The late great Richard Prior. Why this Country can't, and won't wake up, just baffles me. What is it going to take?

BA

[lowskillset]

Your problem, John, is that you don't fully understand the higher skill set. You weren't part of that group. Controllers like you and me can't separate the interests of the government from those of Airbus and so we're not allowed to take even a simple tour of their pretty new airplane. Management types like Marion can completely separate their personal interests from their government jobs and protect the interests of the taxpayer (also known as "customer") and after leaving government service take jobs with or relating to the very companies (also known as "stakeholders") they previously dealt with in government. This may seem complicated but it's really no problem at all for members of the higher skill set.

[rc]

You gotta love this. As a controller I can't even flight instruct in my airspace without it being a conflict of interest. (like someone's going to give me prority or something, whooped de do) These people ( Political appointees )are maggotts. They are the very hypocrites that wouldn't allow a controller to instruct, or do anything they deem conflict of interest.