AIR21 Aviation Advocate Reform Act
Petitt is an advocate for aviation safety, whistleblowers, and anyone under the thumb of corruption. Focused on changing the AIR21 Statute to improve aviation safety, she has learned that airlines pay lobbyists to keep this change buried. Delta Air Lines proved that the AIR21 law is flawed, and only due to my unique circumstances and ability to work with my attorney for seven years, and the courage of one judge to award ten times the typical amount, did I prevail overall. Most are not as fortunate as Petitt.
Read the proposal here.
Change the law here.
Challenging the Negative Connotation of "Whistleblower"
The term “whistleblower” often carries a negative connotation, overshadowing the critical role these individuals play in ensuring safety, integrity, and accountability within industries. Dr. Karlene Petitt, leveraging her first-hand experience with the protections afforded to employees under the AIR21 Statute, is spearheading efforts to change this perception as part of the AIR21 reform act.
Dr. Petitt’s journey through the most publicized aviation whistleblower litigation case, Petitt vs. Delta Air Lines, has provided her with unparalleled insights into the complexities of whistleblower protections. Her extensive understanding of reporting culture and the nuances of the AIR21 Statute makes her an invaluable resource for those facing retaliation for their reporting actions.
Having worked closely with attorney Lee Seham over a seven-year period, Dr. Petitt has become an expert in navigating the AIR21 statute. She combines her aviation acumen with legal expertise to assist clients in aviation-related cases, particularly those under the whistleblower statute.
However, employees must understand that experiencing retaliation alone does not guarantee success in an AIR21 lawsuit. Attorneys must adeptly align the specifics of each case with the unique requirements of the law. Dr. Petitt’s profound knowledge and experience ensure that each case is meticulously prepared to fit within the framework of the AIR21 protections.
Join Dr. Petitt in her mission to redefine the term “whistleblower” and advocate for a culture that recognizes and supports the vital contributions of these courageous individuals.
Read about Karlene's experience here.
Other Advocacy Work
Mental Health
Refining the HIMS Program: Addressing False Positives in PEth Testing
Karlene noticed that many pilots were unfairly losing their jobs due to a blood test called Phosphatidylethanol (PEth), which isn’t approved by the FDA and can give false positive results. Despite experts hired by airlines insisting that the test is always accurate, Dr. Petitt decided to investigate for herself. Through her research, she found that the test can indeed give false positives, proving the experts wrong.
These concerns are particularly significant within the context of the Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS) program, which is designed to support pilots with substance abuse issues. Dr. Petitt’s findings highlight the need for more reliable testing methods to ensure that pilots are not unjustly penalized, and she has written an article about her research, titled “False Positives: How Valid is DBS (PEth) Testing?”, which is currently being reviewed for publication.