The present invention is a method for operating a gas turbine engine airfoil having leading and trailing edges subject to FOD (foreign object damage) damage. The method includes inspecting the airfoil along at least a first one of the edges having at least a first laser shock peened patch along the first one of the edges, ascertaining FOD lengths of foreign object damage (FOD) extending from the first one of the edges into the airfoil within the patch, and allowing the airfoil to remain in service without repair if the FOD lengths are up to a maximum length of about one-half of a width of the laser shock peened patch, as measured from the edge.