Today, Explained A comedian tries to fix aviation
86 snips
May 28, 2025 
Daryl Campbell, an aviation safety writer for The Verge and author of "Fatal Abstraction," teams up with comedian Nathan Fielder to tackle serious issues in aviation. They delve into the crisis at Newark Liberty International Airport, highlighting systemic air traffic control failures and staffing shortages. The discussion mixes humor with critical insights into pilot communication and safety practices, suggesting innovative solutions to enhance traveler confidence. Their unique approach reveals how laughter can illuminate the grave realities of aviation safety.
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Newark Predicts US Aviation Crisis
- Newark's problems with air traffic control foreshadow issues nationwide in the next 5 to 10 years.
- Aging infrastructure and staffing crises are systemic, not isolated to one airport.
Staffing Crisis in Air Traffic Control
- Training air traffic controllers takes up to four years, and pay no longer keeps pace with living costs.
- This causes staffing shortages and burnout, worsening air traffic control reliability.
FAA Funding Shortfall Continues
- Billions of dollars are announced for FAA improvements but backlog remains huge.
- Short-term fixes occur, but sustainable funding and maintenance are lacking.
