There are not too many TV programs I recommend; but I think you will be interested in this one. Today (Thursday, April 3) at about 10am EDT, tune in here for the live webcast of a congressional committee hearing aptly titled, “Critical Lapses in FAA Safety Oversight of Airlines: Abuses of Regulatory Partnership Programs’.” I expect you’ll see some uncomfortable-looking airline executives and FAA officials getting sliced-and-diced by congressional critics. The critics are not happy about an allegedly “cozy relationship”. Just click “more” and I’ll explain.

One of the things the congressmen and women will be looking into is, whether there is a “pattern of regulatory abuse and whether lapses are widespread.” Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., is quoted in an article in the Houston Chronicle as saying there is something of a “culture of coziness” between the airlines and the government agency that’s supposed to be monitoring the industry.

Look for Southwest’s CEO and Chairman to be present, along with FAA officials, whistle-blowers and more. The FAA recently imposed a $10 million fine on Southwest for inspection violations, but Oberstar stressed the hearing is not aimed at any one airline, so much as it is aimed at the FAA’s “management of safety.”

Meanwhile, a new CNN report claims regulators apparently ignored repeated warning about problems with cockpit windshields in Boeing 757s, a problem the report claims was flagged by Boeing and American Airlines pilots years ago.

Looks like all the “dirty” laundry and posturing by all parties int the aviation food chain has hit the news cycle before this hearing so it should be lively to say the least …