About the author: William J. McGee is a senior fellow in aviation and travel for the U.S. Economic Freedom Program. He is a FAA-licensed aircraft dispatcher and he spent seven years in airline flight operations management Consumer Reports Travel Letter. He is Pay attention to all passengers and teach at Vaughan Aviation College. And more www.economicliberties.us/william-mcgee/.
This seems obvious, but aviation safety is very serious. However, within six weeks, the Trump administration has repeatedly proved that it has not handled air safety with the thoroughness and wakefulness it requires.
Recently, both airline and private aviation accidents have caused fear across the country, which I have seen for over a decade. Recently, I received dozens of emails and text messages from friends telling me that they are planning to drive or take an Amtrak instead of flying now. So are journalists Continue to ask I: Is the flight safe?
My answer is yes. But there is one Huge warn.
Although commercial aviation is still The safest form of transportationI also believe that since January 20, we have faced new security threats.
What happened recently?
There is an old saying about two-thirds of accidents. Indeed, we just saw three airline crashes in 20 days.
• American Eagle Flight 5342 On January 29, he collided with an Army helicopter in Washington, killing 67 people.
• Bering Airlines 445 He died near Nom, Alaska on February 6, killing 10.
• Delta Connect Flight 4819flying around from Minneapolis. Paul, landed in Toronto on February 17; thankfully, everyone on board survived a burning plane that rolled over the roof.
No causal relationship has been established to link these events, nor has other private jet crashes linked in recent weeks. The U.S. and Canadian authorities continue to investigate these three tragedies, which takes time.
Initial reports suggest that Washington’s collapse may be due to the lack of awareness of the situation of the Army crew. The Nome-bound flight lost Bering Sea communication; Toronto’s video shows an unusually difficult landing. We will know as soon as possible.
While these disasters have sparked endless media and social media discussions about security and even stimulated direct responsibility for the new administration, it is an inherent irony because even though the government has been blaming the blame before conducting an investigation, there is no evidence that the three collapses were due to similar reasons or Donald Trump’s policies.
But including Transport Minister Sean Duffy, DOGE Tsar Czar Elon Musk, and the president himself actually harmed the main members of aviation safety.
“The smell of corruption”
From the outset, the second Trump administration undermines aviation safety by eliminating the Aviation Safety Advisory Committee the next day Seeking resignation Both the federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) administrators still haven’t filled in when experienced leadership is urgently needed.
Other actions have also weakened the government’s ability to properly monitor air safety, such as:
• blame of. Government obsession with eliminating all diversity, equity and inclusion programs emerged hours after the Washington crash Caused by deieven if the body is still recovered in Potomac.
Just like me Written on Frommer’s in January (one day forward Washington collapses): “There is no unlimited list of individuals employed by the FAA due to race, gender, or any other person deemed unsuitable for work.”
Responding to Trump’s premature blame was quick and even quoted Captain Suli Sharonberg: “Not surprised. Disgusted.”
• Use the Governor to fire key workers. Let’s be clear: FAA has been understaffed for decades. American Airlines passenger boards It tripled from 390 million in 1985 to 946 million in 2023.
If FAA aviation safety inspectors keep pace with this growth, there will now be more than 6,000 inspectors Almost 4,000 years ago.
At the same time, there is also sufficient literature to prove that the United States has been operating severely for a long time Air traffic controller shortage. New report based on the report National Transportation Safety Commission Just last week.
so Why Will Doge even consider firing desperately needed workers in such a critical and understaffed institution? Musk’s unconscious task of laying off employees, threatening and harassing employees is “what bad week” emails, which is a big deal. It is impossible to even think of the negative effects of such behavior on the FAA workforce and to expand their daily life and death work.
After nearly 400 “trials” FAA staff member firedthe report appears on key tasks performed regularly by such workers. These key tasks Includes radar, landing and navigation aids for maintenance of FAA. Professional aviation safety expert (pass)The union representing FAA employees said: “The decision made in a hurry…has not focused on the need for critical tasks and is harmful to the employees.”
Musk replied through a tweet: “No one will be fired as far as we know.” This prompted Democrats House Judicial Committee Answering Musk’s “thin knowledge” is a “wrong indicator”, it is a polite way to say Musk doesn’t know what he is talking about.
In addition, it is believed that the fire is on Key support staff Acceptable descriptions lack of knowledge about how FAA works. However Secretary Duffy answered “Let people say, because we cut 352 people from… 46,000, it’s a safety risk, give me some rest,” critics said.
But I and many others with aviation experience can say that what is happening is indeed a risk of safety.
“The law of gravity applies to Democrats and Republicans, even if you don’t believe them.”
Michael Whitaker, former FAA administrator
• Abandon policy. Last week, after a private pilot mistakenly included on Southwest Airlines’ upcoming runway, Duffy tweeted: “Pilots must follow the instructions of air traffic controllers. If they don’t. The permit will be withdrawn. Pete Muntean correctly pointed it outThis threat violates FAA’s own compliance programwhich emphasizes collaboration to improve security.
• Serve Conflict of interest. Musk’s blatant conflict of interest with the FAA takes two separate forms: 1) FAA supervision, formerly Investigate his SpaceX company 2) He tried to replace existing Verizon contracts with FAA His own company Starlink. FAA signed $2.4 billion Contract with Verizon in 2023 The company provides a communications platform for FAA air traffic control facilities. Replaced the Verizon deal with Musk’s own company Starlink and brought his pockets and brought a blatant conflict of interest.
As Rep. Rick Larsen (D-OR), who ranked the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, illustrates this correctly.The smell of rotten. ”
Security is not politics
I heard it last week Michael Whitakera recently left FAA administrator addressed the Wings Club in New York City, stressing that security is not political: “The law of gravity applies to Democrats and Republicans, even if you don’t believe them.”
Whitaker did not add “serious people” and didn’t believe the government plays a role in aviation safety, and I certainly agree. I just hope that in the next few months, the government will make our sky safer, not more dangerous.
The FAA has a lot of work to do, including overseeing maintenance outsourcing of airlines on foreign coasts and Fix Boeing’s chaos. The last thing we need is to exacerbate existing problems. This means, first, that the Trump administration should not cause further damage and stop pointless shooting. Second, it should work with Congress to address staff shortages.
This is serious work and requires serious response.