First off –
The CPCP (Corrosion Prevention and Control Program) inspections that stemmed from the Aloha disaster are mandatory. With 121 carriers, they are incorporated into their routine inspection program. They are some relatively time consuming (interior removal, exterior paint removal) inspections.

If SWA in anyway “pencil whipped” or “pushed off” these inspections in violation of the mandatory Advisory Directive that mandates them – Then they should be severely punished. (Personally, I don’t thing 10.2 million will really hurt SWA. Record fine or not.)

Secondly –
Don’t comment on the rivets you see entering the doorway of a 737 (or any aircraft) if you don’t know what type (button or flush) of rivet was placed there upon manufacture of the aircraft to begin with. Most Boeing aircraft have loads of “not flush” rivets around the doorway.

When entering any 737 aircraft via a standard jet way, you can not see the area where the Aloha 737 failure occurred.

There are many (as in MANY) areas of the aircraft, including the fuselage, that certain types of, and lengths of, cracks are allowable. The press/media just loves it when they hear someone say there were known cracks in an airplane. But do they ever research or comment on allowable cracks. NEVER.

Don’t think for a second that SWA is the only air carrier that has, or is, operating an aircraft in this manner.

It looks to me like SWA has done some bad things here. The extent of the risk to PAX, I don’t know. No one will, until the inspections are completed, and even then, I doubt the public will find out. With that - I’d bet that no one here on the forum knows either. So I wont comment on that issue. And you probably shouldn't either.

But it does look like they are certainly in violation of a mandatory (and certified) inspection program.
If they can not show compliance on an aircraft. I say ground the aircraft until it is in compliance. Not simply agree upon a compliance schedule for said aircraft. That would certainly open their eyes over any 10.2 million dollar fine.

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !