An Air Tran pilot, who was fired after an uptick in his reports of mechanical problems, has been found to be a protected whistleblower. OSHA has ordered that he be reinstated to employment and paid approximately $1 million in back pay.

Source: Bloomberg News

The Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (commonly known as "AIR21") makes it unlawful for an air carrier to retaliate or discriminate against an employee that reports either to the employer or to the federal government "information relating to any violation or alleged violation of any order, regulation, or standard of the Federal Aviation Administration or any other provision of Federal law relating to air carrier safety."