A hearing before Congress regarding whether federal regulators are in bed with U.S. airline companies took place today.

At the center of this hearing, that is still going on as I write this blog, are two employees for the Federal Aviation Adminstration (FAA). These two employees, Charalambe Boutris and Douglas Peters, now have the dreaded and admirable distinction of being whistleblowers.

They blew the whistle on the government, on Southwest airlines. They let everyone know that when they wanted to report maintenance problems with Southwest’s planes they were thwarted and their jobs were threatened.

This is a hard thing to do. You need your paycheck to survive, to help your family survive, so the last thing you want to do is put that paycheck in jeopardy.

But some people, for some reason do.

Why?

Because they have to. Because they can’t sleep at night. Because not coming forward sooner or later could me horrific tragedy…death, injury… Because they should.

Congress is asking questions now. Wondering why the FAA dropped the ball, and whether this government agency is just too cozy with industry.

No matter what conclusion they come to the lives of these two whistleblowers if forever changed. They will suffer. But they will also be able to hold their heads up high.

That’s worth a lot. But alas, it won’t pay the bills.