Last night, we saw the first fatal crash of a US airliner since 2009, as a military helicopter collided with an American Eagle jet that was on final approach to Washington National Airport (DCA). This horrible tragedy claimed 67 lives, and an investigation is being performed into what happened.
Even before all the bodies have been recovered, President Trump has already come to a conclusion, and is assigning blame for the incident. His evidence? “Common sense.”
In this post:
President Trump holds press briefing about crash
A few hours ago, President Trump held a press briefing about the tragedy that occurred last night. Typically, these press conferences provide a summary of the facts that are known, share condolences for the families of those who lost their lives, and take basic questions.
Aviation accident investigations take a long time, because it’s important to get the facts right, rather than rush to conclusions. However, during this briefing, President Trump revealed that he has already concluded what has happened. During his press conference, he blamed the accident on DEI and “Democrats” (including Biden, Obama, and Buttigieg).
He went on to attack air traffic controllers, even though we don’t yet know to what extent (if any) air traffic controllers played a role in this. But he stated that he changed air traffic control standards during his first term from “very mediocre at best to extraordinary,” and hired only people of “the highest aptitude, they have to be the highest intellect and psychologically superior people.”
He also questioned how something like this could happen, saying things like “I can’t imagine that people with 20/20 vision can’t see what’s happening out there,” and that the American Eagle pilots were “doing everything right,” but “for some reason, you have a helicopter at the same height and going at an angle, it was unbelievably bad.”
You can watch the entire press conference, including questions, below.
During the question and answer session, he was asked if he’s getting ahead of the investigation by blaming it on DEI, to which he responded that he wasn’t. He was also asked how he can connect the crash to DEI, and he responded “because I have common sense.”
This is a gross politicization of a tragedy
It’s wrong to politicize a tragedy, and in something as complicated as an aviation disaster, it’s also important to let an investigation run its course before drawing any conclusions. Aviation is incredibly safe, even with tragedies like this.
Prior to this, US airlines carried well over 10 billion people across around 150 million flights without a fatal crash. That’s astonishingly impressive. Sometimes things go wrong, without it being the fault of any philosophy or political party.
Look, I want to come at this from a balanced perspective. Some people have been quick to rush and blame this tragedy on Trump, claiming that his air traffic controller hiring freeze (motivated by his dislike of DEI) is to blame. That’s not fair either, and I made that clear in a previous post. While that could have implications in the future, it doesn’t explain what happened here.
But it’s incredibly dismaying to see a president get up on stage after a tragedy and baselessly politicize it on the grounds of “common sense.” When someone automatically blames DEI for something, without an investigation having been performed, the intent is obvious — only women and minorities, and not white men, make mistakes.
Bottom line
Aviation globally is incredibly safe. When things do go wrong, it’s important for leaders to take these incidents seriously, and let the experts perform their investigation, before jumping to conclusions. President Trump held a press briefing about the horrible accident happened last night, and it was… not any of that. On both sides, it’s too early to jump to any conclusions, and certainly too early to politicize it.
Not to in any way minimize the tragedy of this accident, but we have to reflect on just how many people fly through US airspace every year, and the incredible safety with which airlines operate. If this is the way that the system operates with “mediocre” people who were hired under DEI, then we’re doing pretty well.
Like all accidents, we’ll hopefully learn some lessons from this, to prevent a similar accident in the future.
This press briefing was more about him than it was about the flight accident. He loves being on camera.
That Orange moron wants to inject himself into major stories, and bring politics into a tragic incident in order to advance his agenda and attack opponents. I can’t think of a more ignorant, divisive, dishonest person to reach his position in my lifetime. Not all republicans are racist however the only reason he won is that all the racists and worse elements of US society voted for him.
"Helicopter May Have Deviated From Approved Path Before Deadly Crash"
yikes this really makes one wonder what sort of sentiments, exactly, led the president and his supporters to blame women and people of color for the crash?
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/29/us/plane-crash-washington-dc?rsrc=ss&unlocked_article_code=1.tU4.kM9x.An5Rzyh6YvWu&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
In relevant news to the accident, the NYT is reporting that multiple sources are saying that the helicopter was too high and up to a half mile away from the approved course.
as many of us said hours ago, the issue had nothing to do with DEI and had alot to do with failure to comply with approved procedures in an area where there is no room for error.
Anyone with common sense knows we have to wait for the facts before we formulate what caused the crash. Just like with the Jeju crash most couldn't fathom it wasn a bird strike(s) then the revelation about the blackboxes losing power 4 mins prior to the crash shifted theories dramatically + the fact that the bird remains identified being a type that has flocks in the 10,000s it's all moving far away from the initial...
Anyone with common sense knows we have to wait for the facts before we formulate what caused the crash. Just like with the Jeju crash most couldn't fathom it wasn a bird strike(s) then the revelation about the blackboxes losing power 4 mins prior to the crash shifted theories dramatically + the fact that the bird remains identified being a type that has flocks in the 10,000s it's all moving far away from the initial theories of a failed go around, choosing to land when the plane wasn't configured properly etc etc. Let's wait for the facts, we are smarter than to jump on any bandwagons the administration wants to steer us towards.
I think we all should pay less taxes, fire more govt employees or even privatize so they can implement more optimization policies (and have not regulations on the private companies that will run air traffic c). Nothing can go wrong.
Defund everything except corporates and billionaires tax breaks.
Trump is the shrewdest politician the world has ever seen. He’s Harvey Specter of the politics world, 15 steps ahead of his peers.
Congrats Ben. You clearly met your clickbait quota with this garbage. No connection with your usual material whatsoever
I think it’s fair to say the patience of your traditional followers is running thin
People dying in an aviation related incident is "garbage", when posted on an Aviation blog?
Did you send the same comment to every other news outlet in the world, accusing them of clickbait?
What a moron.
Up yours. My point is this blog should not be political
“Traditional followers” don’t pay the bills
Of all the ridiculous garbage Agent Orange has sprouted so far, this is probably some of the most absurd, hurtful garbage. His lust for white supremacy seems to permeate everything he does.
You give him too much credit.
This is just the tip of the orange iceberg.
That bloviating, bombastic orange abomination has a lot of things but common sense? That ain’t among them.
What does a cheerleader of miscegenation know about common sense?
I've seen DEI blamed for every accident mentioned on this site in the past few years by some commenters. Ben, I'm glad to see you call this activity by our president out forcefully. It restores some faith in this site, despite the continued presence of racist/sexist trolls.
How naive of you.
This is at least 4 more golden years for this site. $$$$$
This post had almost 200 comments in 6 hours.
Buy Qatar Avios for 60% bonus, 2 comments in over 2 days.
Business is good. This tragedy boosted engagement tenfold, over 300 comments and countless views in a day. Now if only someone figured a way to get credit card signups from all these situations.
Does DEI make you want to open a new Chase card?
I have to say that I have disagreed with Eskimo on 98% of his posts - but he is dead right on this one
If OMAAT is about to sell out for clickbait then they are losing me too
Shame on you, Ben
What is ironic is that the air traffic controller was white, male, straight, and an Evangelical Christian. Thus, it could not possibly be the air traffic controller.
His counterpart was out of the office leaving him to handle 2 jobs at once.
Whine and complain about 47 as much as you want, yet he’s still your President. He’s entitled to his opinions and worldviews, just as you are. You think you know things better? Well, 2028 is right around the corner. Run for office, you armchair CEOs. In the meantime: Enjoy MAGA
DO NOT FEED THIS TROLL
The words
“what an absolute C— “ came to mind reading your post and I hope you and all MAGA suffer in hell. All those who voted for him are racist, ignorant illiterate morons. There are stupid people all over the world, however by far the stupidest are in the US.
Well this certainly went south!
To everyone who supports Trump's dissolution of DEI in favor of hiring the most most qualified candidate, ask yourself how well he applied that principle to when hiring his own cabinet. Are his choices even barely qualified let alone the most qualified.
No DEI is his way of eliminating individual groups he personally has issues with.
Another meaning of DeI is Donald's Extremist Incompetents:-(
This is the problem of people being brainwashed by the democracy propaganda.
It's doesn't work like the way they wanted you to believe. Land of the nothing is free, home of the expensive eggs.
Trump nor any previous Presidents ever appoint cabinets based on public popularity, purely on nepotism. But that's exactly how the system works.
A lot of Trump's decision will go against the major opinion.
Biden pardoning his son also went against...
This is the problem of people being brainwashed by the democracy propaganda.
It's doesn't work like the way they wanted you to believe. Land of the nothing is free, home of the expensive eggs.
Trump nor any previous Presidents ever appoint cabinets based on public popularity, purely on nepotism. But that's exactly how the system works.
A lot of Trump's decision will go against the major opinion.
Biden pardoning his son also went against everyone except the Bidens.
Democracy is as strong or as weak as the person you choose to represent you.
One you elect someone, your duty ends there. If you elect a madman it's on you. But it's not you to decide how the madman acts.
In our current state, the only hurdle for becoming President is not running the country but convincing the brainwashed that you're a better choice even if that means you're the 2nd worst not the best.
If you want democracy, live with the bad side of it too.
Every day Donald Trump adds something even more incredible to what he has said so far. With this baseless claim he has shown no decency. I wonder what people who voted for him now think.
Somehow people voted for this sh*t show. He has absolutely no knowledge of anything. I feel terrible for women and minorities. Whatever goes wrong, anywhere, it has now become your fault because you know, common sense.
yeah, they did.
Have you asked yourself why they DIDN'T vote for the party that was in charge for the four previous years?
You might want to start with that question
People are saying bigly it was the price of eggs. How is that going?
then, ask yourself if the MAJORITY of Americans care if Trump trashed DEI more than whether the price of eggs - or whatever economic issue shaped the election.
the problem is that too many people - perhaps you included - can't understand that what YOU think doesn't matter in a democracy; what matters is what the MAJORITY of people think.
Because you don't think like the majority of people doesn't make the majority wrong...
then, ask yourself if the MAJORITY of Americans care if Trump trashed DEI more than whether the price of eggs - or whatever economic issue shaped the election.
the problem is that too many people - perhaps you included - can't understand that what YOU think doesn't matter in a democracy; what matters is what the MAJORITY of people think.
Because you don't think like the majority of people doesn't make the majority wrong - but that is precisely what many many people write here.
Might want to educate yourself on Plurality vs Majority, ol’ Terminally Deranged
I understand the concept just fine.
The US uses the electoral college and Trump won a majority of those votes based on the underlying votes.
Please do not feed the troll
Recommendations for a non political miles and points site? Between this and multiple references to “not surprised” at the most firearms caught at TSA was in FL and TX….
Paraphrasing Michael Jordan “ republicans buy sneakers too”
Lucky says it like it is. Sorry you can’t listen to that
Feel free to start MAGA Travel Daily. No passport needed of course.
So the President's claim at this early stage is completely correct, and absolutely fine?
And Lucky shouldn't comment on that, despite it being a significant loss of life, and future air travel will be affected by the President's decisions?
Bizarre.
@Scott or you could just scroll past the articles you don't want to read. You won't even have to see the comments.
How does Scott not understand they can pick and choose what to read and or comment on the site?
What is Trump's opinion of the fact that most of the US armed forces have a higher proportion of blacks than the population?
That the army is too keen on DEI?
Not sure this is the correct interpretation "the intent is obvious — only women and minorities, and not white men, make mistakes."
Anyone including minorities or women should take the jobs they qualify on merit rather than some forced quota that puts them ahead in line with less qualifications otherwise
A horrendous preview of the next four years.. when someone as idiotic as Trump relentlessly obliterates critical federal agencies, we won’t just see planes falling out of the sky but all kinds of other safety issues.
Trump should shame us all but for the death of shame in America.
To the rich people in this thread:
What's more important - and you can only choose one:
- Hiring ATC for skills, no regard to gender, race or identity du jour?
- Gender identity, race, feelings?
Which is more important. Remember, #1 is a Republican statement.
You seem nice. Let’s double down on the weak, the less fortunate, and those being trolled by the richest billionaire (soon to be trillionnair) and the most powerful president. Double down. Very kind!
More Important- Would be you making clear how one involves the other in this situation
For instance.... just because you identify as white trash(read: MAGAt), doesn't mean you aren't qualified for an ATC job.... Ok, I jest. Of course you aren't
Remember... "just make sense".... is a Democrat statement
I'm pretty sure I've never seen anything that says that FAA air traffic controllers don't have to pass the same tests just because they're a minority or female. All it means is that all other things being equal, the preference goes to the underrepresented candidate, which is usually a minority or female.
DEI does not equal affirmative action. 2 very different policies.
This guy is the lowest common denominator. A racist. A narcissist. A criminal, and above all, a complete fool.
And yet he beat your candidate in a landslide. What does that say about her??
Apparently you're not aware of the definition of "landslide."
On the contrary…it says about people that voted for him.
Math is hard, sadly.
That's more of an indictment against the American people.
He also got trounced by the alleged 'corpse' of Biden and then denied it ever happened. Maybe lets look at the bigger picture here?
FAA should downgrade itself to Category 2 IASA rating.
very soon it will be proven that trump was correct - that liberal dei/political hiring practices contributed to this accident - what he says may hurt your feelings but - trump is almost always right - sorry - not sorry
This is a pretty telling comment. Saying “very soon it will be proven” shows that you understand that he’s saying all this gross, wild stuff with no proof or evidence that these policies contributed to the crash. But you still support this guy, I just don’t get it. Every word out of the POTUS’s mouth has significance on the world stage. Trump is erratic and personally I find it terrifying.
Donald Trump and anyone who supports him is a piece of ****
I guess you do not remember that Joe Biden blamed President Trump every time he opened his mouth about anything as did Comma LA!!!I am sure DEI nonsense did not help with any of this.
Dee, objectively you are low IQ
Just absolutely outrageous! And then to malign the former Transportation Secretary? This was the President of the United States making these statements.
you do realize that the Dem's fate was sealed the night that Trump debated Biden who was a mumbling hot mess?
Kamala finally got her chance but she clearly was unable to convince the electorate and the Dems are still trying to figure out how to move forward.
People can wrestle with the results of democracies but there were warning lights going off on the other side of the aisle for months.
regardless of...
you do realize that the Dem's fate was sealed the night that Trump debated Biden who was a mumbling hot mess?
Kamala finally got her chance but she clearly was unable to convince the electorate and the Dems are still trying to figure out how to move forward.
People can wrestle with the results of democracies but there were warning lights going off on the other side of the aisle for months.
regardless of the "system" where those warning lights are happening, those that ignore warning lights do so at their own peril.
that was true with the Democratic party and was and still is true at DCA.
And Kamala in the next debate, made trump look like what he is - a senile, functionally illiterate buffoon who is the very poster boy for white men failing upwards.
And yet he beat her.
The FAA states on its website how individuals with 'severe' mental and physical disabilities represent an under-represented segment of the federal workforce. It has nothing to do with it just like the 51 spy that said pardoned Hunter's laptop is Russian disinformation. Wokeness is spilling over.
POS
My finger is tired from clicking this damn "Report" button!
I gagged when I opened the blog and saw the orange turd face right there, ew. But I think no one is surprised he is already politicizing a tragedy - and as usual, speaking with the vocabulary and the grammar of a 9 years old. I can't believe we are not even 2 weeks in and this is already where we are, this is going to be a long 4 years.
There is no such thing as a good republican. They all need arrested and given lethal injection. In my view worse than any terrorist alive.
That is ridiculous. And if that is the extent of your logic then I hope you find a hobby - like coin collection - that keeps you from posting here
And I say this as a Democrat
Just when I think he cannot sink any lower....he does. He is so unfit, such a complete moron...WOW !
Well said, Ben.
Just as much of an idiot as expected
Thank you Ben. Very well written. Appreciate your comments.
As T. Greg Doucette wrote on Bluesky
➡️ January 20: FAA director fired
➡️ January 21: Air Traffic Controller hiring frozen
➡️ January 22: Aviation Safety Advisory Committee disbanded
➡️ January 28: Buyout/retirement demand sent to existing employees
➡️ January 29: First American mid-air collision in 16 years
Making America Great Again!
https://bsky.app/profile/gregdoucette.bsky.social/post/3lgxstrm6js2z
Thanks for the timeline. Very enlightening.
Keep in mind when you criticize Trump all you want, that the majority of people in this country voted for him, me too. Tough luck!
And?
As an outsider reding these comments (Ona preventable tragedy), it *is* really fun seeing the US slowly fall apart
Don't worry we are not falling apart, we are rising from the ashes the last administration brought into us
He didn't receive a majority of the voters. More people voted for someone else.
he won the popular vote. I
whether you like it or not, Trump received the MOST popular votes in the 2024 election - which was different than in the 2016 election.
The US does not require a majority of popular votes or even to win the MOST popular votes but surely you know that he received over 57% of the electoral college votes - which is how the US determines presidential winners.
again, more Americans voted for Trump than anyone else....
whether you like it or not, Trump received the MOST popular votes in the 2024 election - which was different than in the 2016 election.
The US does not require a majority of popular votes or even to win the MOST popular votes but surely you know that he received over 57% of the electoral college votes - which is how the US determines presidential winners.
again, more Americans voted for Trump than anyone else. There will be people that struggle with that reality for the next 4 years.
Not a Trump fan, but Abraham Lincoln got less than 40% of the 1860 vote. Trump got a clear plurality of the popular vote, and more importantly, a majority of the Electoral College. We have to deal with it in as contructive a way as possible.
All that means is that there are more stupid people in this country.
Is that including you, or we need to add you to the total?
Republicans were just fine relentlessly criticizing Obama and Biden after each of them won the popular vite
The majority of the people in the election didn't even vote for him, let alone the majority of the people in the country.
Yeah, he got the majority of the votes, the popular vote, and of course the electoral vote in the last election. He got more votes than the next candidate. Tough to accept, isn't it?
And yet 4 years ago Trump voters all over the land were refusing to admit the same thing about the 2020 election. Funny how elections are only legit when your candidate wins?
When did he say DEI?
Ben is having cognitive dissonance.
Just because he lied, doesn’t mean he didn’t say it:
"The FAA diversity push includes focus on hiring people with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities. That is amazing," Trump said, claiming the FAA wanted people "with severe disabilities, the most underrepresented segment of the workforce, and they want them in and they want them - they can be air traffic controllers."
Asked how he could blame diversity, equity and inclusion hiring for the crash,...
Just because he lied, doesn’t mean he didn’t say it:
"The FAA diversity push includes focus on hiring people with severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities. That is amazing," Trump said, claiming the FAA wanted people "with severe disabilities, the most underrepresented segment of the workforce, and they want them in and they want them - they can be air traffic controllers."
Asked how he could blame diversity, equity and inclusion hiring for the crash, Trump said, "because I have common sense.”
On national TV.
He never introduced the term. He referred to lax standards, and biased legacy media reps latched onto “DEI”.
Work on your listening skills!
Excellent post, Ben. Thank you. And this is a good example on why we have the NTSB and why these investigations take a lot of time. We can arm chair quarterback this until the cows come home, but in the end the true probable cause of this tragedy could very well be something we least expect.
it's pretty clear where the causes lay. It was somewhere in the US government and not aboard the commercial jet that suffered the greatest loss.
The NTSB will get to the bottom of what went wrong but the question is whether there will be the political will to change what doesn't work whether that be staffing or VFR military and IFR civilian operations side by side in such tight proximity.
It really isn't too...
it's pretty clear where the causes lay. It was somewhere in the US government and not aboard the commercial jet that suffered the greatest loss.
The NTSB will get to the bottom of what went wrong but the question is whether there will be the political will to change what doesn't work whether that be staffing or VFR military and IFR civilian operations side by side in such tight proximity.
It really isn't too hard to figure out what went wrong and what has been wrong for years - long before Jan 20, 2025 - which is why politicizing the event is completely unacceptable, regardless of how does it.
Trump could just have said nothing but offering his condolences, promising an exhaustive investigation, maybe paying a quick visit to the area, anything a normal leader would doz but no. Of course people are going to push back against the stupid things he says. He shouldn't have brought politics into it at all, but he can't help himself. I don't disagree with everything he says and does just because he's Donald Trump, but let's face...
Trump could just have said nothing but offering his condolences, promising an exhaustive investigation, maybe paying a quick visit to the area, anything a normal leader would doz but no. Of course people are going to push back against the stupid things he says. He shouldn't have brought politics into it at all, but he can't help himself. I don't disagree with everything he says and does just because he's Donald Trump, but let's face it - whenever he's put on the spot it's immediately evident that he's both profoundly emotionally retarded, and not very smart.
The true reason is not DEI but because they made the ghost of George Washington angry by taking his name off the airport and putting Reagan's name on it. If Reagan needed an airport named after him, LAX and ONT would have been fine, not DCA.
Washington has the capital and a state named after him. Way more important than being named after one of three airports serving that area.
No matter what you say about President Trump, he speaks his mind and does not hold back. At a time when American men and especially older white men are otherwise bullied, mocked and told to stay quiet.
There is a difference between "speaking ones mind" and "not holding back" and spouting harmful nonsense. The schizophrenic guy on the street corner outside my window also speaks his mind and does not hold back. Unlike you, me, or even Ben, the president has a unique position of power and authority in this country. His failure to take it seriously - and to understand that his words have the potential to harm many - is...
There is a difference between "speaking ones mind" and "not holding back" and spouting harmful nonsense. The schizophrenic guy on the street corner outside my window also speaks his mind and does not hold back. Unlike you, me, or even Ben, the president has a unique position of power and authority in this country. His failure to take it seriously - and to understand that his words have the potential to harm many - is disgusting. Quit with your perceived victimhood - no one is silencing you.
Older white men who control media, politics, commerce and the judiciary are bullied and discriminated against? Please explain to me as a JD, LLM, MBA retired military officer how that's possible.
But one would expect a President to think twice before speaking and say something that helps society and reinforces the trust in the public institutions.
Seems that every single person mentioned deserves compensation from Trump for these slanderous statements. How disgusting to reduce life to these kinds of unfeeling statements
While not surprising given how utterly repugnant DJT and his politics are what is truly disgusting is the way he and his political party have turned DEI into a bogeyman and have created a culture where every person who is a minority or woman is immediately viewed as somehow an illegitimate or unqualified to be in whatever position they are in. Truly sad, truly un-American.
DEI created that culture, not DJT. And it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Between Obama’s racist ATC hiring scheme, to United’s racist pilot training selection, your “bogeyman” will be hanging around for years to come.
Really? DEI created that culture? Not right-wing media capitalizing on a perceived sense of white victimhood - wholly unsupported by any data whatsoever, merely anecdotes - and blaming DEI for all our country's ills because - heaven forbid - the most qualified candidate for a job also happens to be a woman or POC? Turn off Fox News for a day, you might actually learn something.
Look as someone in the middle your missing the point. DEI can (doesn’t always) prevent the most qualified candidate from being hired. This is supported by data/hiring practices. Two candidates A is more qualified than B. B is still qualified but A is a better overall candidate. So you hired B because they have a more diverse background. Why do you think that’s okay.
@ Charles, this argument always assumes that white people are inherently more qualified than someone with a “diverse background.” This is not college admissions we’re talking about. Organisations can look at job candidates with a set of criteria that they define—and it’s perfectly legal for them to look at race, gender, and less quantifiable dimensions (e.g., behavioural fit). If candidate A in your scenario is more qualified (by your definition), maybe they get passed over...
@ Charles, this argument always assumes that white people are inherently more qualified than someone with a “diverse background.” This is not college admissions we’re talking about. Organisations can look at job candidates with a set of criteria that they define—and it’s perfectly legal for them to look at race, gender, and less quantifiable dimensions (e.g., behavioural fit). If candidate A in your scenario is more qualified (by your definition), maybe they get passed over for the job not because they are white, but because in the interview process it’s revealed they’re a massive asshole.
Well I think you kind of proved my point lol. How is gender/race relevant in an ATC job. The most qualified candidates should get the job period. In this case it’s not just “my definition”. Given that ATC has a test portion there is a quantifiable portion of the application. Should someone who got the minimum score be considered over someone with a higher score based off gender or race?
Also that’s the real issue...
Well I think you kind of proved my point lol. How is gender/race relevant in an ATC job. The most qualified candidates should get the job period. In this case it’s not just “my definition”. Given that ATC has a test portion there is a quantifiable portion of the application. Should someone who got the minimum score be considered over someone with a higher score based off gender or race?
Also that’s the real issue with DEI it’s not women can’t do the job. It’s that should someone hire a lesser candidate ( who still meets a minimum standard) vs a better candidate (who doesn’t have a desirable racial/gender. Also it’s not legal anymore in the federal government due to Trump.
When is the last time you saw a buncha black dudes with white hoods on lynching somebody for being white?
Snowflake
Hi Roman,
Take a look and do the math. There's enough sin to go around for everyone.
https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/tables/expanded-homicide-data-table-6.xls
Wow, apparently DCA ATC was shorthanded last night and forced to resort to having the same ATC cover planes and helicopters, which are usually separate assignments.
Grim finding after Trump offered the buyout/severance package for any ATC who quick earlier this week, and after conservatives tried to blame women and people of color.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/29/us/plane-crash-washington-dc?smid=url-share#staffing-was-not-normal-at-airport-tower-according-to-a-preliminary-faa-report
Wow, apparently DCA ATC was shorthanded last night and forced to resort to having the same ATC cover planes and helicopters, which are usually separate assignments.
Grim finding after Trump offered the buyout/severance package for any ATC who quick earlier this week, and after conservatives tried to blame women and people of color.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/29/us/plane-crash-washington-dc?smid=url-share#staffing-was-not-normal-at-airport-tower-according-to-a-preliminary-faa-report
*quit
I don't know how the cases will turn out, but there are multiple lawsuits against the government alleging that as many as 1000 qualified ATC applicants (pased the screenings procedures and test) were turned away because they did not advance the government's goals for hiring under-represented and disadvantaged groups....despite the ATC staffing shortage.
I hope the allegations are false.
Hard to believe that Trump instituted a hiring freeze for ATCs when they're so short-staffed.
What colour and gender were the chopper pilots?
I heard purple and 7. But I am not an expert.
As we now know.... White male MAGAts
Is he wrong? DCA ATC post pictures with women and POC all the time. Were they all hired based on merit? Well, ATC themselves said they weren't, so ...
... I'm sorry if facts offend you, but there's no need for censorship of this comment if you value truth.
So you’re saying because the ATC controllers are women and people of color they are somehow automatically unqualified?
Oh where did I say this? Can you point to the sentence that said this?
Do a full quote, please. Really interested in this, thank you.
You’ll never hear back. Libs owned
Aisha, you endorsed the statement 47 made by citing photos of women and PoC as "evidence". So yes, you did at least imply this.
Grow up.
This is what you get from a total idiot. Only 206.5 weeks to go!
you do realize that there are people that said the same thing for the four years that ended at 11.59 a.m on Jan 20, 2025?
this is life in a democracy.
Russia and Iran accept requests for citizenship if you like that type of government better.
@Tim Dunn - You are better off speaking ONLY on Delta. At least you come across as less stupid.
@Ben - Sorry, this post violates your new guidelines but I can’t bear anyone that supports a convicted rapist. Disagreement on policies are one thing, but character is completely different.
obviously, we can define character any way we want and include or exclude what we think matters.
Character IS a factor that goes into voter decisions and they chose Biden 4 years ago and Trump now.
Accept that we live in a politically charged environment and the best way to overcome that reality is not to throw more gasoline onto the fire. Ben's suggestion this morning was brilliant. After watching the President's news conference,...
obviously, we can define character any way we want and include or exclude what we think matters.
Character IS a factor that goes into voter decisions and they chose Biden 4 years ago and Trump now.
Accept that we live in a politically charged environment and the best way to overcome that reality is not to throw more gasoline onto the fire. Ben's suggestion this morning was brilliant. After watching the President's news conference, Ben's own advice and self-control went out the window.
this would be a good time to mention that there is a considerable rightward shift in global democracies over the past couple years. There is ample evidence of what is driving it but characters like Trump are not unique to the US and people in other cultures have made similar decisions.
instead of attacking other people, learn why these kinds of decisions by voters are being made - a clear response to what previously existed and what voters believe didn't work
You do see the irony in espousing refraining from "attacking other people" while supporting Mango Mussolini....right? Tell me you do
You are correct on one thing.... "There is ample evidence of what is driving [the right-ward shift]".... lack of education and critical thinking skille
you know Tim, I always thought it a bit unfair that others on this blog attacked you so often.
I have changed my mind.
Seriously ???
as with every other topic, debate the facts and tell me where I am wrong.
I don't care if you like me. I do expect you to be rational if you expect to win a debate with me.
Literally though, why don't you go seek citizenship in Mexico? I plan on leaving the United States, I hate this presidency. I think Yemen where I have family is much, much better,
Love him, at times like these, that's why we need a man like Trump to fight for us on the front lines.
What a selfless man to give his time and thoughts for the people impacted by this, I think this is the character that attracted successful people like Musk to want to be around him, because he just "gets sht done!"
I can guarantee you that with him now at the helm, the US will never have a plane crash again.
Love the sarcasm.
This one happened under Trump's 20/20 vision, how did he not see this coming?
It is obviously Biden's fault, they set up the "bomb" in an attempt to demonstrate how imcompetent Trump is, now the joke is on the Dem's face since that Trump has handled the situation like the brave powerful big man that he is. Love the guy!
Decency is a weakness now. Dems are weak and MAGA has transformed the US into autocracy backed by oligarchy.
They have all branches of govt and good for them, they are responsible for it all. The average public will only realize what they have created when it’s too late. I already have European colleagues saying that they prefer not to meet here. This anger, hatred, and blind tribalism doesn’t lead us to anywhere… while...
Decency is a weakness now. Dems are weak and MAGA has transformed the US into autocracy backed by oligarchy.
They have all branches of govt and good for them, they are responsible for it all. The average public will only realize what they have created when it’s too late. I already have European colleagues saying that they prefer not to meet here. This anger, hatred, and blind tribalism doesn’t lead us to anywhere… while other countries are developing and advancing we are busy here keeping up with his chief troll on twitter. Both Dems and Republicans were wrong but it’s the country that has lost.
I read this post four times and I still can't figure out how to book a seat in First to Vancouver.
Stop the trolling intentional political BS just to get clicks and comments. You're a part of the problem.
lol….i mean your not wrong…it’s like imagine if your grocery store clerk asked you at check out if you knew what was going on in Gaza?
Or you could start your own blog. This is lucky’s, he’s free to blog about whatever he wants to. You’re free to go elsewhere.
lol you could say that about anything though no? Start your own grocery store, start your own movie production company. Dave/you/me we are entitled our own opinions no? Dave is allowed to express his discontent with the topic. You’re allowed to express your discontent with Dave. I am allowed to express how happy I am Lucky stills allows comments.
Or you could just scroll past this article, if it is of so little interest to you. Others who visit the site might find it interesting.
An organization is only as strong as its weakest members. Any government agency on which my tax dollars are being spent should do nothing but focus on the best and brightest and not waste one second thinking about the background of an applicant. There is a chance that the keyboard warriors are getting ahead of what POTUS already knows. (He would have significantly more information than any of us) But boy the vitriol is hilarious....
An organization is only as strong as its weakest members. Any government agency on which my tax dollars are being spent should do nothing but focus on the best and brightest and not waste one second thinking about the background of an applicant. There is a chance that the keyboard warriors are getting ahead of what POTUS already knows. (He would have significantly more information than any of us) But boy the vitriol is hilarious. You don't have to like him, just go ahead a like the results if they come. Never blind yourself to the good one does. I know his first time around made me a ton of cash.
oh, and the FAA says DCA tower was understaffed... as if that hasn't happened on a consistent basis for years.
It isn't Congress that trains controllers. It is the FAA. Congress already provided the funding - which runs through Trump's entire presidency.
"It’s wrong to politicize a tragedy, and in something as complicated as an aviation disaster"
but you couldn't help yourself.
his comments were certainly not helpful and do nothing to get to the root of the issue but neither does doing what you said just a couple hours that your users shouldn't do.
it's going to be a long few years.
btw, you do realize that a Republican carried Miami-Dade County for the first time...
"It’s wrong to politicize a tragedy, and in something as complicated as an aviation disaster"
but you couldn't help yourself.
his comments were certainly not helpful and do nothing to get to the root of the issue but neither does doing what you said just a couple hours that your users shouldn't do.
it's going to be a long few years.
btw, you do realize that a Republican carried Miami-Dade County for the first time in, like, decades?
Which of your millions of neighbors are you angry at for not seeing the world the way you do?
So, simply pointing out that fact finding should be utilized before anyone jumps to a conclusion and broadcasts a currently unsupported conclusion, is politicizing?
It seems like you somehow feel attacked here, when all he did was point out that the president is using this tragedy to make a statement that DEI is bad without a complete investigation.
He's not saying any person, politician, political party, or policy is responsible for this at all.
I don't feel attacked in the least.
I would just as soon keep it ALL out of the discussion.
It wasn't appropriate and is unnecessary and unhelpful on the day after such a tragedy.
The hypocrisy is that Ben JUST asked his readers to leave politics aside and then proceeded to do what he asked his readers not to do.
And, yes, for some it will be a long 4 years, just as the previous...
I don't feel attacked in the least.
I would just as soon keep it ALL out of the discussion.
It wasn't appropriate and is unnecessary and unhelpful on the day after such a tragedy.
The hypocrisy is that Ben JUST asked his readers to leave politics aside and then proceeded to do what he asked his readers not to do.
And, yes, for some it will be a long 4 years, just as the previous 4 years were long for others.
Miami-Dade County voted Republican for the first time in decades and following DeSantis' landslide victory. that's a fact.
Political landscapes change.
Florida is not what it used to be... even in S. Florida.
Democracy is great until not everyone can get their way.
Why is S Florida relevant to yesterday's accident?
because it is where Ben lives and where he is clearly a political minority based on the last election results.
You can blame the racist Americans that voted for him
Nothing like calling 1/2 the nation racist.
Biggest racist is you.
You're calling someone racist because they voted for him.
The United States is a racist nation. Study our history from slavery to Jim Crow to people like you
Can we stop saying "DEI" and saying what it really means, "women and minorities," instead?
Trump blamed women and minorities for a plane crash, full stop. If only white men were air traffic controllers, in his view, this clearly wouldn't have happened. Now, this might have been a popular view at a Klan rally in 1950, but it's 2025 and to me, this sounds as bonkers as it is. The emperor has no clothes.
I dont get why anyone is surprised that Trump is making something political, after everything the media and government threw at him the past 6 years you have to expect this. He won the election and is doing exactly what he said he was going to do. While i dont agree with him on much i respect the fact he is not like every other politician (both left and right) who says one thing and does another.
Three times over.
He's exactly like everyone else in Washington, he's pro-self. He's like a Seinfeld episode, he got reelected for spite. And everyone else back there is just as corrupt
Given the open admission of low standards at the FAA from the highest levels of Government, will some foreign countries impose sanctions against US based airlines on safety grounds?
Sure if those countries want to embarrass themselves. "Low" standards in the US are still extremely high by the rest of the world.
Kinda like how low income in Manhattan, NY (e.g. $500k) is high income for Manhattan, KS.
Yeah good point, Sean. Last year we've seen so many near misses; this was waiting to happen. You also now have a Fox News host as a transportation secretary and a rudderless FAA. Could totally see that coming.
Ben you’re going to upset all the Trump supporters and their common sense.
Is this a points and miles blog or something else?
It's Lucky's blog - he can write about whatever he wants, and you're free to visit other sites if you don't like the content. Ain't America great?
So its something else. Thanks for the clarification:)
Yeah, i think this blog's about aviation? And the worst aviation accident in decades just happened? Seems relevant.
Never mind it all happened days after a new president started sacking people in FAA left and right (and making it clear he had a ways to go). You don't have to be that smart to see the connection.
This is what happens when you put a convicted rapist and thief in charge of your country.
Trump won the US Presidential Elections an unprecedented 3 times in a row.
He has more than common sense.
He lost the 2020 election. And you are in a cult.
He "lost" 2020 because of a last minute influx of fraudulent votes.
This has been disproven multiple times (including in multiple state, county, and district recounts including those sponsored by Republicans). Put down the kool aid and lower your arm.
There is not a court case or legitimate investigation that would back that up. You are delusional.
If so, Trump is ineligible to be in office, having won 2 terms already.
Derek - you win the comment of the day award.
FDR won 4 times in a row, and during his third term he'd won 3x, so there's certainly precedent, even though what you say is wrong.
Jerry, a little thing called the 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, prevents Trump from being in office for more than two terms like FDR did.
And because of this precedent, there is now a 22nd amendment for the constitution, which came after FDR. In case there would be a 3rd term now, you'd need to get this amendment changed.
Three times in a row? Let's see - he ran in 2000, didn't make it out of the primaries. Won in 2016, lost in 2020, and won in 2024. He can't run in 2028 so (checks notes) that would be won twice, not in a row. Do you have some data that I'm missing?
While ATC still receives rigorous training and has to past tests, regardless of how they were accepted into programs, it's important to note that during the Obama administration, the FAA changed its hiring process for ATCs to favor applicants based on race and gender to increase the number of women and minorities in air traffic control towers. While not the reason for the crash, the does give Trump some justifiable talking points.
Further, regarding "only...
While ATC still receives rigorous training and has to past tests, regardless of how they were accepted into programs, it's important to note that during the Obama administration, the FAA changed its hiring process for ATCs to favor applicants based on race and gender to increase the number of women and minorities in air traffic control towers. While not the reason for the crash, the does give Trump some justifiable talking points.
Further, regarding "only women and minorities, and not white men, make mistakes" I would argue that the right's position is only special pathways or lowering of the bar for hiring happens for women and minorities, and not white men. The pendulum swung from not hiring because of race/gender all the way to hiring based on race/gender. Can we ever reach a medium?
Stop involving race and gender at any point in the recruitment process.
Race and gender are NOT included in the recruitment process for ATCs
@Debo not at the moment. But also *completely* useless point as many current ATCs were hired at times when it was part of the recruitment process.
Good job
"...many current ATCs were hired at times when it was part of the recruitment process."
Please cite your source. As always, a tweet from a Fox "News" host will suffice as proof.
"as many current ATCs were hired at times when it was part of the recruitment process."
Wait, hold on. When was DEI ever part of the ATC hiring process. Because ATC is exempt from general guidelines. So please, tell us.
"When someone automatically blames DEI for something, without an investigation having been performed, the intent is obvious — only women and minorities, and not white men, make mistakes."
Please do not expose your own hatred of 47 so plainly. This statement is so skewed that it does not require any repudation. We all know what DJT's point is here and the delivery was ugly but the message is true
That is true and exactly why Trump rose to fame in 2016. He speaks plain truths that 70% of Americans legitimately think but do not say
70% of Americans in 1955 thought segregation was a good idea. Just because a majority of people think it, does not actually make it virtuous. Though something tells me based on your other posts you'd rather be living in 1955...
Absolutely. I want to speak truth so badly (preferably on your face) but this blog’s guidelines prevent me from doing that.
"only women and minorities, and not white men, make mistakes."
College admissions doesn't favor white men without DEI.
So DEI isn't all about going after white men.
So you're saying the message that DEI is to blame is true?
DJT literally assigned blame without any fact-based evidence.
Maybe DJT will be proven right (if the subsequent report is solely fact-based) but based on the facts known right now, it's unlikely, and so his comments are totally unnecessary and not in the least helpful given this tragedy.
Just before this he had Vance, Hegsmith, and some other guy come up and talk about what a great leader Trump is during this investigation. They were just about to kneel down and unzip his pants when the cut to commercial.
They were jonesing for a mushroom. A very small mushroom.
I just had to laugh listening to Trump talk about what is abnormal for ATC. As if he has a clue (like he is clueless on many things). You could honestly read the occasional article on this blog every couple weeks where some ATC audio is linked and just by listening to that for a couple months you would already have an infinitely better understanding and awareness of how ATC works and what is and...
I just had to laugh listening to Trump talk about what is abnormal for ATC. As if he has a clue (like he is clueless on many things). You could honestly read the occasional article on this blog every couple weeks where some ATC audio is linked and just by listening to that for a couple months you would already have an infinitely better understanding and awareness of how ATC works and what is and isn't normal. I bet you phrases like "follow behind XYZ aircraft" and "maintain visual separation" are literally used tens of thousands of times a day across the country by ATC. How does he serve anybody by speaking out such nonsense? He would do everybody a favor by just staying quiet.
Wait, isn't trump a dei hire? I mean I remember when felons couldn't get a job or had to start over, but he got top job despite that. Maybe he has a point, maybe Merica does have a dei problem, right at the top.
I said it to friends just yesterday:
"We don't know anything about this crash yet, but you can hold your breath until some mofo in government comes forward to blame 'D.E.I.' for all of this."
And what'dya know, the biggest mofo of them all, is the one to step up to the plate.
Surprise!
Trump is being Trump here, no surprise.
It's not like he promised one thing then pardoned Barron as a parting gift.
Zing!!!!!!
Trump supporters grasping at straws to hide their lack of intelligence. Hate to see it.
Could you imagine if GWB blamed 9/11 on his predecessor?!
Could you imagine if GWB thanked 9/11 so he can do what HW couldn't.
Finish off Saddam.
How else could a lame excuse like phantom WMD be used as a valid reason without blaming Saddam for supporting Al Qaeda.
Saddam caused his own death. He tried to pretend he had nuclear weapons when the only WMD he had was poison gas, which was taken away from him after the first war.
Trash human being....but i guess, that's just Trumpy staying on brand.
And what kind of human being are you to call another trash? I think it makes you rude at a minimum.
The fact of modern life. You talk to people in the language they understand. If Trump wants respect he should start by giving it to others. Until then he is…Ben’s guidelines won’t let me write it.
Federal DEI programs are not used in Air Traffic Control hiring process. Every single hire has to go through the same exact rigorous testing, which included mental and physical components. This is the one millionth example that 47 is an ignorant piece of sh!t assh0le
And a lot of people don't get DEI either and why sometimes it does share partial blame.
Yes you need to score 80% to pass.
But rather than hiring the person with 98% you hire the 80.5% because of DEI.
Now both are equally qualified, but that doesn't mean one is not better.
This. Somehow every article defending DEI initiatives and trying to absolve them of any blame cant seem to comprehend this basic fact. Nobody is saying that (for example) DEI pilot hires at UA are not qualified- they'll need to pass final certification tests like any other pilot hire. But when artificially increase diversity by lowering standards, you're bound to hire a large number of people that just pass the minimum qualifications, while losing out on...
This. Somehow every article defending DEI initiatives and trying to absolve them of any blame cant seem to comprehend this basic fact. Nobody is saying that (for example) DEI pilot hires at UA are not qualified- they'll need to pass final certification tests like any other pilot hire. But when artificially increase diversity by lowering standards, you're bound to hire a large number of people that just pass the minimum qualifications, while losing out on those that may be more qualified.
DEI programs do NOT lower standards! jfc people
Allocating certain positions to a smaller portion of a talent pool instead of the entire talent pool at large inherently leads to lower standards. Again, this doesn't mean that DEI hires are unqualified, as they almost always are qualified, rather, there is a higher relative probability that a DEI hire will be of a lower "quality" than a non DEI hire recruited strictly based on merit.
But if the standard is "you must attain X to be qualified" are we really lowering the standard if both people clear that bar? No.
Exactly. DEI is rampant, like how "some association with Fox news" is the passing mark for department secretary these days.
Maybe you should go to their own website and see what they're admitting in their own hiring.
This position serves as an air traffic trainee for potential conversion in the air traffic control 2152 occuption
Who all can apply?
This is a public announcement to apply to a FAA position open to persons with disabilities(PWD) and persons with Targeted Disabilities(PWTD)
Targeted Disabilities or Serious Health Conditions include
02 - Developmental Disability
Maybe you should go to their own website and see what they're admitting in their own hiring.
This position serves as an air traffic trainee for potential conversion in the air traffic control 2152 occuption
Who all can apply?
This is a public announcement to apply to a FAA position open to persons with disabilities(PWD) and persons with Targeted Disabilities(PWTD)
Targeted Disabilities or Serious Health Conditions include
02 - Developmental Disability
19 - Deaf
20 - Blind
90 - Intellectual Disability
91 - Significant Psychiatric Disorder for ex, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD or major depression.
13 - Speech impairment.
@BlackHill, since you declined to provide any details about the job or a link, here you go: a post from April 11, 2019 - which was during Trump's first term - for a "pilot program to help prepare people with disabilities for careers in air traffic operations. A key focus for the FAA’s Office of Civil Rights is to identify specific opportunities for people with targeted disabilities, empower them and facilitate their entry into a...
@BlackHill, since you declined to provide any details about the job or a link, here you go: a post from April 11, 2019 - which was during Trump's first term - for a "pilot program to help prepare people with disabilities for careers in air traffic operations. A key focus for the FAA’s Office of Civil Rights is to identify specific opportunities for people with targeted disabilities, empower them and facilitate their entry into a more diverse and inclusive workforce.... The candidates in this program will receive the same rigorous consideration in terms of aptitude, medical and security qualifications as those individuals considered for a standard public opening for air traffic controller jobs." Candidates must also meet various criteria, including passing the Air Traffic Skills Assessment Aptitude test, pass a medical review, and have higher education and/or work experience.
https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-provides-aviation-careers-people-disabilities
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