Ryan Knudson

Over time, Barnett became an expert at the meticulous process of building airplanes and the documentation that goes along with it, which is something that's mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Over time, Barnett became an expert at the meticulous process of building airplanes and the documentation that goes along with it, which is something that's mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Barnett loved his job, and he felt like he was really good at it, which is why he jumped at an opportunity that came up in 2010 when Boeing was opening a new plant near Charleston, South Carolina. Barnett was brought in to help set up the factory's quality control system on the company's latest model, the 787 Dreamliner.

Barnett loved his job, and he felt like he was really good at it, which is why he jumped at an opportunity that came up in 2010 when Boeing was opening a new plant near Charleston, South Carolina. Barnett was brought in to help set up the factory's quality control system on the company's latest model, the 787 Dreamliner.

Barnett loved his job, and he felt like he was really good at it, which is why he jumped at an opportunity that came up in 2010 when Boeing was opening a new plant near Charleston, South Carolina. Barnett was brought in to help set up the factory's quality control system on the company's latest model, the 787 Dreamliner.

Barnett's arrival in South Carolina happened as Boeing was undergoing major changes. A little over a decade earlier, Boeing merged with a former rival called McDonnell Douglas. In the years after the merger, and this is according to several former Boeing employees and mid-level executives, the company started scrutinizing every dollar it spent, and it put a greater emphasis on increasing profits.

Barnett's arrival in South Carolina happened as Boeing was undergoing major changes. A little over a decade earlier, Boeing merged with a former rival called McDonnell Douglas. In the years after the merger, and this is according to several former Boeing employees and mid-level executives, the company started scrutinizing every dollar it spent, and it put a greater emphasis on increasing profits.

Barnett's arrival in South Carolina happened as Boeing was undergoing major changes. A little over a decade earlier, Boeing merged with a former rival called McDonnell Douglas. In the years after the merger, and this is according to several former Boeing employees and mid-level executives, the company started scrutinizing every dollar it spent, and it put a greater emphasis on increasing profits.

Safety and quality were still considerations, but the overall focus of the company leaders seemed to be more about maximizing shareholder returns. These changes at Boeing happened slowly, over the course of years.

Safety and quality were still considerations, but the overall focus of the company leaders seemed to be more about maximizing shareholder returns. These changes at Boeing happened slowly, over the course of years.

Safety and quality were still considerations, but the overall focus of the company leaders seemed to be more about maximizing shareholder returns. These changes at Boeing happened slowly, over the course of years.

But for Barnett, he felt them more acutely when he was transferred to that new plant in South Carolina, which was staffed up with new employees who didn't have the years of experience in the aviation industry like he did. Barnett talked about what it was like in an interview a few years ago on the Today Show.

But for Barnett, he felt them more acutely when he was transferred to that new plant in South Carolina, which was staffed up with new employees who didn't have the years of experience in the aviation industry like he did. Barnett talked about what it was like in an interview a few years ago on the Today Show.

But for Barnett, he felt them more acutely when he was transferred to that new plant in South Carolina, which was staffed up with new employees who didn't have the years of experience in the aviation industry like he did. Barnett talked about what it was like in an interview a few years ago on the Today Show.

Barnett worked as a quality manager at the South Carolina plant for seven years. And it was what he experienced during those seven years that changed everything about his relationship with the company. Just before he left Boeing, in 2017, Barnett filed a whistleblower complaint against the company, alleging it had retaliated against him for raising safety concerns.

Barnett worked as a quality manager at the South Carolina plant for seven years. And it was what he experienced during those seven years that changed everything about his relationship with the company. Just before he left Boeing, in 2017, Barnett filed a whistleblower complaint against the company, alleging it had retaliated against him for raising safety concerns.

Barnett worked as a quality manager at the South Carolina plant for seven years. And it was what he experienced during those seven years that changed everything about his relationship with the company. Just before he left Boeing, in 2017, Barnett filed a whistleblower complaint against the company, alleging it had retaliated against him for raising safety concerns.

To understand what happened while Barnett worked there, we read through court filings, including the lengthy deposition he gave just before he died. We talked to former colleagues and family members about Barnett's claims. We also talked to Boeing, though the company declined to make anyone available for an interview. To boil it down, Barnett thought the South Carolina plant was a mess.

To understand what happened while Barnett worked there, we read through court filings, including the lengthy deposition he gave just before he died. We talked to former colleagues and family members about Barnett's claims. We also talked to Boeing, though the company declined to make anyone available for an interview. To boil it down, Barnett thought the South Carolina plant was a mess.

To understand what happened while Barnett worked there, we read through court filings, including the lengthy deposition he gave just before he died. We talked to former colleagues and family members about Barnett's claims. We also talked to Boeing, though the company declined to make anyone available for an interview. To boil it down, Barnett thought the South Carolina plant was a mess.