Lever Time
Is It Still Safe To Fly?
Feb 19, 2025
Bill McGee, a senior fellow for aviation at the American Economic Liberties Project, dives into recent airline disasters and the implications for aviation safety. He discusses how incidents like crashes and mishaps may be skewing public perception of air travel. McGee highlights the struggles of the FAA, deemed the “Tombstone Agency,” due to chronic understaffing and political pressure. He also addresses the outsourcing of maintenance checks and the repercussions of layoffs on safety, stressing urgent reforms needed to protect passengers.
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Quick takeaways
- Recent plane crashes have intensified public anxiety about aviation safety, despite statistical evidence showing flying is generally safer than driving.
- The Federal Aviation Administration's long-standing understaffing issues and recent workforce reductions raise significant concerns regarding effective oversight and regulation in aviation safety.
Deep dives
Recent Plane Crashes and Public Concern
Recent incidents involving plane crashes have sparked widespread concern about airline safety. Two notable accidents occurred within a short timeframe, including a Delta Airlines flight that crash-landed, leaving passengers hanging upside down. Despite statistics indicating that flying is statistically safe, these accidents have led to heightened anxiety among travelers. This unease is exacerbated by the ongoing political atmosphere surrounding the aviation industry, particularly the recent workforce reductions at the Federal Aviation Administration, which many believe could compromise safety measures.
