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August 8, 2002
 
American Airlines A300 Fleet Standards Manager Resigns
 
American Airlines employees have informed me that Roger Purdy, who was the Airbus A300 Fleet Standards Manager for American Airlines up until June, decided to resign his position, took a "substantial" cut in pay, and became Check Airman. Roger and his wife have ... eight children.
 
I contacted Roger, he was very polite but requested I speak with American Airlines Corporate Communications.
 
Why did he resign? Todd Burke, speaking for American Airlines, stated that it was "not uncommon to have Fleet Managers go back to their previous job". Surprisingly, Todd Burke acknowledged he had not seen Roger's resignation letter.
 
One American employee had this to say about Roger, "he reached his integrity threshold for the Airbus A300 and Flight 587 issues and will not stand behind the program nor work under those in charge anymore."
 
Another said, "He is a very well respected man, of unquestioned integrity."
 
Here is some of Roger's resignation letter:
 
I believe there is a God in Heaven. I believe in absolute truth, not a
fictional notion of relativity. I believe morals are based on
beliefs, and beliefs are based on absolutes. I believe in right
and wrong, not some abstract form of diversity. I believe a man
should keep his word, stand for what is right, and stand against
that which is wrong. I believe ethics should be immune from
compromise. I believe in order and purpose, not chance, luck or
coincidence. I believe Honor stands the test of time. I believe
in the sacred trust between friends. I believe that one does not
betray a friend, no matter the cost. I believe orphans need a
home, and children need a father. I believe in the love of my
wife and smiles from my children. Though I am a simple man, this
is what I believe. Based on recent events and what I profess to
believe, I am formally resigning as Fleet Standards manager A300.
 
Airbus stated yesterday, in response to David Rose's Vanity Fair article, "Safety is the highest priority of all in the aviation community and the NTSB and FAA (and Airbus) have repeatedly stated that if they found any reason to alter operations of the A300-600 they would do so. And they have not."
 
Perhaps some in the aviation community care more about safety than others. And put their money where their mouth is.
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