Transportation secretary says pilots should lose their licenses if they don't follow air traffic controllers' instructions.

Lol, I mean can’t revoke a pilots license since a “pilots license” doesn’t technically exist in the first place. Check ride 101
 
I get it. The Chicago incident by two atp rated pilots is pretty bad. Toronto same. Hello accident I think is different. He wants to put pilots on notice and we all are more aware. But pulling certs for every error made isn’t the answer. We are all human and humans make mistakes. We just all. Need to b e a little bit more aware and look outside.
 
Roller said:
Does he have a background working in the industry he wants to regulate?
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I took the time to look him up today to answer that very question.

Started out on MTVs Real World
Worked up to an ESPN commentator for some Outdoor Sporting events
Became a District Attorney
Was elected to the House of Representatives
Left it all to take care of his daughter with Down Syndrome, one of his nine children.
Appointed as Secretary of Transportation

Literally has done nothing in the transportation world until last month. I get it's a political appointment, but could have at least wrote parking tickets at some point in his life, or something!
 
Will controllers lose job and cert for every mistake?

Mechanics for every goof?

ALL of this smells shock jock “reality” TV to me.

All it would mean is that nothing ever gets reported and our chances to improve drop drastically. History repeats itself.
 
Roller said:
Does he have a background working in the industry he wants to regulate?
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It doesn't appear that he is a pilot or has any direct experience in aviation, per se. But, he is a lawyer, former congressman, and color-commentator for ESPN. That's like sleeping at a Holiday Inn Express, isn't it?

www.avweb.com

Duffy Confirmed As Transportation Secretary

Former Wisconsin congressman earns praise from both sides of the aisle.
www.avweb.com www.avweb.com
 
Pol appointees are idiots. I stood next to the former Sec of Transportation ( Red Cross during hurricane) during Hurricane Andrew and said some choice comments about this s$%#show and the people in charge. I did not recognize her but she made sure to turn and look at me.

Her qualifications were being married to Robert Dole.
 
99% of the public use the term…same thing when people call helicopters, helo’s, or Aviation Warrant officers Chief.. lol…my immediate reaction is they may not be an expert on the subject but have an interest that should be fostered and respected. There is a process in place already and seen plenty of people loose privileges and we all have seen incompetence in the ATP ranks that has been ignored as well…it’s a simple statement for public consumption…we all know it’s just reinforcing that something is being done to make the safest form of transport continue to be safe. All we need for the industry is 10% of the flying public to quit flying, and you will see a far bigger issue than a common term usage for a certificate.
 
midwestpa24 said:
I took the time to look him up today to answer that very question.

Started out on MTVs Real World
Worked up to an ESPN commentator for some Outdoor Sporting events
Became a District Attorney
Was elected to the House of Representatives
Left it all to take care of his daughter with Down Syndrome, one of his nine children.
Appointed as Secretary of Transportation

Literally has done nothing in the transportation world until last month. I get it's a political appointment, but could have at least wrote parking tickets at some point in his life, or something!
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Last one didnt have any transportation experience either. Status quo per usual. Say a bunch of stuff and none of it will come to fruition
 
I’d point him in the direction of the FAA’s Compliance Philosophy that started in 2015. His comment runs contrary to that.

To me whether it’s pilots or ATC, it’s all about trends. I tell my new pilots when they start at my base, no one is perfect but when mistakes are made on a regular basis, disciplinary action must be taken. In my experience, it can be night and day from pilots who have good SA and those that don’t. Seen pilots who just straight up lack the mental awareness to do the job safely. It’s rare but they’re out there.
 
Warlock said:
99% of the public use the term…same thing when people call helicopters, helo’s, or Aviation Warrant officers Chief.. lol…my immediate reaction is they may not be an expert on the subject but have an interest that should be fostered and respected. There is a process in place already and seen plenty of people loose privileges and we all have seen incompetence in the ATP ranks that has been ignored as well…it’s a simple statement for public consumption…we all know it’s just reinforcing that something is being done to make the safest form of transport continue to be safe. All we need for the industry is 10% of the flying public to quit flying, and you will see a far bigger issue than a common term usage for a certificate.
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I don’t see people doing multi day road trips, think the flying public will keep flying

So what’s the punishment for ATCs who give bad instructions or are not controlling their airspace?
 
Should there be consequences? Sure. Maybe a better procedure, maybe a 709 ride, maybe revoke the cert, maybe a simple comment from tower. It depends.

Something that could cause an airliner crash should get more attention than making a radio call 6 miles from your D airport vs 10 miles.
 
midwestpa24 said:
I took the time to look him up today to answer that very question.

Started out on MTVs Real World
Worked up to an ESPN commentator for some Outdoor Sporting events
Became a District Attorney
Was elected to the House of Representatives
Left it all to take care of his daughter with Down Syndrome, one of his nine children.
Appointed as Secretary of Transportation

Literally has done nothing in the transportation world until last month. I get it's a political appointment, but could have at least wrote parking tickets at some point in his life, or something!
Click to expand...

He was part of MTV’s Road Rules. It has the word “Road” in it, which has something to do with transportation, so that’s his credential for the job I assume?
 
Roller said:
I don’t see people doing multi day road trips, think the flying public will keep flying

So what’s the punishment for ATCs who give bad instructions or are not controlling their airspace?
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Well there used to be a three strike (operational error) rule and you’re out. That’s not applied anymore.

ATC errors usually follow a suspension and then retraining. Some errors (60 % or more separation) are nothing more than a slap in the wrist. Errors are in investigated through the facility / region QA process. The controller has the ATSAP (controller ASRS) process but it’s supposed to have limits. Multiple procedural errors or single fatal (F-16 vs C150) could result in termination.
 
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I can't wrap my mind around this particular transition:

--Worked up to an ESPN commentator for some Outdoor Sporting events
--Became a District Attorney

That seems a very implausible career path.
 
GaryM said:
I can't wrap my mind around this particular transition:

--Worked up to an ESPN commentator for some Outdoor Sporting events
--Became a District Attorney

That seems a very implausible career path.
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Not really, Jay Bilas, an ESPN mens college basketball commentator is also a successful lawyer.

en.wikipedia.org

Jay Bilas - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
 
GaryM said:
I can't wrap my mind around this particular transition:

--Worked up to an ESPN commentator for some Outdoor Sporting events
--Became a District Attorney

That seems a very implausible career path.
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TV garners name recognition; DAs are usually elected. How does one get elected? Name recognition.
 
I guess I'll be the lone dissenter. Depending on the severity of the infraction, and the degree of willfulness, I don't have a problem with certificate loss being on the table.

Everyone seemed to skip over his other comments about hiring a bunch of controllers, bumping up pay 30%, and improving ATC technology. All are good things.
 
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Katamarino said:
He must, surely, be the absolute best person for the job. The current mob claim repeatedly that they demand a "meritocracy" so I can't believe that they'd put unqualified hacks into important positions. :rolleyes:
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When has the head of the FAA ever been competent?
 
Ed Haywood said:
I guess I'll be the lone dissenter. Depending on the severity of the infraction, and the degree of willfulness, I don't have a problem with certificate loss being on the table.

Everyone seemed to skip over his other comments, about hiring a bunch of controllers, bumping pay up 30%, and improving ATC technology. All are good things.
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Isn't the point that it's already on the table?

He doesn't get a cookie for mindlessly parroting steps for generically fixing any workplace problem. More workers. More Pay. More Computers. Am I in charge of something now?

Except, if you've read, or lived, the Mythical Man Month, you know more workers doesn't always fix stuff, either...

My medical still doesn't fit in my wallet.
 
We'd rather not shut this down, as it is directly aviation related, but I've had to delete several posts that were blatant political attacks. Thanks to those who filed reports. Let's keep it civil, folks.
 
He is simply saying that there should be consequences and mentioning loosing ones license is something that public at large can understand and relate to - nothing to see here.
 
If he said these airmen should get a 709 ride, would anyone complain?
 
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