Donald TrumpEnsure Americans’ safety in aviation“This revokes all the FAA’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) recruitment programs.
The President directed the Department of Transport and the FAA to “take all appropriate actions to ensure that anyone who fails or fails to demonstrate the necessary competence is replaced by high-capacity individuals to ensure first-class air safety and efficiency.”
Although FAA regulations do not define “first-class”, the meaning is obvious. “During the previous administration… the FAA sold its mission by raising dangerous discrimination rather than excellence,” the White House statement said.
There is a fundamental problem with these assertions: they are based on lies.
have No list Unqualified persons hired by the FAA due to race, gender or any other person deemed unfit to work
There is no such list.
“Movement” without evidence
As I learned in 1990 when I obtained permission from the airline’s airline aircraft dispatcher, safety in aviation is essential to pass many obstacles: verifiable experience and written, verbal and practical exams. No one will encounter or exceed these standards, no one will be hired, and no one based on DEI will lower the standards.
If there is any evidence that a single-person employment fails to achieve established qualifications, the White House has not yet provided any qualifications.
The new FAA directive is part of a larger government effort to eliminate the government’s DEI initiative. But it could also have a chilling impact on American airlines and airlines like Boeing.
It is not clear what some companies respond, but it has American Airlines According to reports, “abandoned its recruitment practice.”
It is an understatement to say that Dei has always been an obsession in some aviation circles. For years, aviation blogs have been unfounded claims about inability to hire.
But now, it’s more than industry gossip, because it’s turned into federal policy, with no evidence.
So far, there have been No Publicly alleged on-flight incidents or accidents are directly related to ineligible employees who work as pilots, mechanics, air traffic controllers, dispatchers, engineers or any other FAA licensed personnel.
So where is the evidence supporting the allegations of danger?
FAA needs to address critical safety plans for Boeing and airlines, but these issues Not caused by dei.
What has Dei done for the aviation industry
Over the years, I and others have spoken about the wholesale and offshoring of excellent American jobs such as American aviation mechanics, who have seen their careers move to places like El Salvador and China.
Industry leaders complained since Covid Shortage of airline pilots and air traffic controllers.
Dei was designed in part to address this shortage, attracting demographics that have never traditionally been engaged in aviation. DEI training recruiters seek qualified applicants from previously neglected pipelines.
Many airline executives Brain drainage in the aviation industry Also keep silent about those who support DEI recruitment, which will directly help address these shortfalls.
Rick Larsen, a ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Exploded executive order In a statement on January 28. “Hiring air traffic controllers is the number one issue in the entire aviation industry. Rather than working to improve aviation safety and reduce the cost of hard-working American families, choosing to spread false DEI claims to justify this decision.”
As a FAA inspector recently expressed to me: “[DEI] It’s about expanding hiring, so airlines and FAA look more like the US. It’s never about hiring or promoting a substandard. ”
Everett Kelley, president of the United States Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), represents 800,000 federal workers. Said last week: “The federal government has hired and promoted it entirely based on merit. The result is clear: a diversified federal workforce that looks like the country serves, with the lowest gender and racial pay gap in the country.”
Over the years, I have seen the benefits of diversity. I have taught and spoke at Vaughan Aviation College and I can prove that Vaughan has one of the most diverse student groups in the country.
Chaundra DanielsVaughan’s Director of Career Services told me:[DEI] White people are not as tolerant as they should and don’t feel much. It’s understandable. ”
What about veterans and disabled people?
Opposition speech is said to focus on race and gender. But two other groups directly affected by Trump’s statement also belong to the FAA’s umbrella: veterans and disabled people.
In fact, The word deia– including “accessibility” – is widely used by the government to ensure that veterans and persons with the right qualifications with disabilities are also considered jobs. However, the White House shortened the word to Dei.
Here is the box for the new government’s Pandora: Does it claim that Deia promotes unqualified individuals in terms of not having veterans or people with disabilities?
Or are the targets of the current repression the only ones who check certain race or gender boxes? The answer may be in the project in 2025 922 pages of declarationrepeated detailed instructions eliminate dei.
If it’s just about race or gender, that’s lowering A suggestions, then let’s call this operation what it is.
Who will find young aviation enthusiasts?
Since 2001, I have also served as an officer for the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, which oversees the Civil Air Force Patrol Youth Program, which helps encourage young Americans aged 12 and 12 to gain other unattainable aviation experience, including flight. Former CAP members now reside in the airline, military and NASA.
In mid-January, all members received an email from the CAP’s national commander saying that the CAP had been asked to suspend “future DEIA-related activities, plans, policies or related activities.” Although the facts are No CAP members have been promoted or assigned before meeting the full list of necessary qualifications.
My years at Vaughn and Vaughn have allowed me to see the ever-changing American look of aviation professionals in the future. Talented young people need role models similar to theirs, inspiring their motivation to succeed in this critical and demanding field.
Jackie Robinson said after breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, “Any mistake I make will magnify because I’m the only black guy.”
The White House’s pointless DEI directive has the same effect on aviation professionals, as the order actually ensures that thousands of qualified workers are vaguely mistaken for “DEI hire.” Even if they are more skilled than their peers, they will bear the weight that looks better.
There is no list of non-qualified persons employed by the FAA due to race, gender, or any other DEI standard that is deemed unsuitable for work. There is no such list.
Where do we go from here?
Perhaps the first step is to have a national dialogue on two issues:
1) If the DEI program has real As the executive order suggests, the affected security is then provided with data that proves this. So far, No evidence.
2) If this clearance has nothing to do with security, then let’s define what it really means. AFGE seems to be nailed: “Ultimately, these attacks on Deia are just fired civil servants, undermining the smoke screen of non-political civil service, and turning the federal government into a Yes-Men army loyal to the president rather than the constitution.”
Or AS VaughnDaniels said: “The real problem with some people is “E”.
The United States is waiting for the answer.
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/.