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.

Todd Yeary, a former air traffic controller with 13 years of experience, brings insights on the recent FAA workforce cuts and their potential risks to aviation safety. Bill McGee, with 40 years in the airline industry, discusses the critical need for accountability and improved safety measures. Lori Aratani, a transportation reporter, highlights public anxiety over air travel following tragic recent events. Together, they address the implications of staffing shortages, near misses, and the overall confidence in air travel amidst ongoing concerns.