Ryan Knudson

But Barnett said he didn't feel like he had a choice. So, in early 2017, after roughly three decades at Boeing, he retired, ten years earlier than he said he planned to. Barnett moved back to Louisiana to be near his mother and brothers. He built a pool at his house for his nieces and nephews. He got married. On the surface, it seemed like he was ready to move on. But Barnett couldn't move on.

But Barnett said he didn't feel like he had a choice. So, in early 2017, after roughly three decades at Boeing, he retired, ten years earlier than he said he planned to. Barnett moved back to Louisiana to be near his mother and brothers. He built a pool at his house for his nieces and nephews. He got married. On the surface, it seemed like he was ready to move on. But Barnett couldn't move on.

But Barnett said he didn't feel like he had a choice. So, in early 2017, after roughly three decades at Boeing, he retired, ten years earlier than he said he planned to. Barnett moved back to Louisiana to be near his mother and brothers. He built a pool at his house for his nieces and nephews. He got married. On the surface, it seemed like he was ready to move on. But Barnett couldn't move on.

That's after the break.

That's after the break.

That's after the break.

Just before he left Boeing, John Barnett reached out to a local lawyer who specializes in whistleblower cases, a man named Rob Turkowitz.

Just before he left Boeing, John Barnett reached out to a local lawyer who specializes in whistleblower cases, a man named Rob Turkowitz.

Just before he left Boeing, John Barnett reached out to a local lawyer who specializes in whistleblower cases, a man named Rob Turkowitz.

Being a whistleblower can mean lots of things. It can mean just speaking up internally. It can mean going to the media. But in the airline industry, there's actually a law that defines it. It was enacted in the year 2000, and it's known as Air 21.

Being a whistleblower can mean lots of things. It can mean just speaking up internally. It can mean going to the media. But in the airline industry, there's actually a law that defines it. It was enacted in the year 2000, and it's known as Air 21.

Being a whistleblower can mean lots of things. It can mean just speaking up internally. It can mean going to the media. But in the airline industry, there's actually a law that defines it. It was enacted in the year 2000, and it's known as Air 21.

The law did several things that tried to improve safety in the airline industry, and one of them was adding protections to employees who spoke up about safety.

The law did several things that tried to improve safety in the airline industry, and one of them was adding protections to employees who spoke up about safety.

The law did several things that tried to improve safety in the airline industry, and one of them was adding protections to employees who spoke up about safety.

With his lawyer's help, Barnett filed two formal complaints, one with the FAA, alleging safety violations, and another with OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, alleging that Boeing retaliated against him for raising concerns. While Barnett's two complaints worked their way through the system, he was still haunted by what happened at Boeing.

With his lawyer's help, Barnett filed two formal complaints, one with the FAA, alleging safety violations, and another with OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, alleging that Boeing retaliated against him for raising concerns. While Barnett's two complaints worked their way through the system, he was still haunted by what happened at Boeing.

With his lawyer's help, Barnett filed two formal complaints, one with the FAA, alleging safety violations, and another with OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, alleging that Boeing retaliated against him for raising concerns. While Barnett's two complaints worked their way through the system, he was still haunted by what happened at Boeing.

In his deposition, Barnett said he thought about applying for other jobs. Remember, he retired 10 years earlier than he said he'd plan to. But he couldn't face it. Too many bad memories. Here's Barnett's lawyer, Rob, again.

In his deposition, Barnett said he thought about applying for other jobs. Remember, he retired 10 years earlier than he said he'd plan to. But he couldn't face it. Too many bad memories. Here's Barnett's lawyer, Rob, again.