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Government Delays Flights
Townhall.com ^ | May 25, 20 | John Stossel

Posted on 05/25/2022 7:00:46 AM PDT by Kaslin

Planning to fly this summer? Good luck.

Delays are up. Cancellations, too.

Why? Because of the pilot shortage.

A pilot shortage? How can this be? Flying is a popular job. Some people fly small planes just for fun. Why aren't there enough commercial pilots?

Because the government passed another dumb law.

In 2009, after a Colgan Air crash near Buffalo, New York, killed 50 people, Congress decided that airlines could only hire aspiring commercial pilots who already had lots of flight time.

Instead of 250 hours, now they have to have 1,500 hours!

"That never made any sense," says current commercial airline pilot Tracy Price in my new video.

The sixfold increase wouldn't have prevented the Colgan crash. Those pilots had many more than 1,500 hours of flight time. The pilot had 3,379 -- the co-pilot, 2,244.

That didn't matter to the politicians. "We need to improve pilot training, address flight crew hours and service," said Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

Demanding more pre-hire flight time discouraged people from trying to become pilots. It had "the effect of pulling up the ladder," says Price.

Few people have the time or money to get 1,500 hours in the air before they can even apply for a job. The number of certified pilots fell even as flight demand increased.

The pilots unions didn't object.

"Fewer applicants means higher pay," explains Price.

I say to Price, "This rule is good for you!"

"Great for me (and other) professional pilots," he replies. "If you believe in freedom though, it's a bit of an issue."

The union blamed the pilot shortage on poor pay at regional airlines, so I push back at Price, "Some of these regional airlines were paying pilots as little as $21,000 a year."

"(But) there was no shortage of applicants!" Price responds. "Plenty of people were willing to take fairly low pay and live with roommates for a year or two to gain that really valuable jet experience."

Today's required 1,500 hours doesn't even create better pilots. Actual pilots get trained in simulators today. The computerized cockpit gives them more useful experience than unsupervised hours of hobby flying.

In fact, those hours may leave pilots less prepared. "Flight time does not equal experience," Faye Black of the Regional Airline Association told Congress. "We waste a lot of time in training, breaking bad habits pilots acquire while trying to quickly get to 1,500 hours."

The politicians ignored her.

That's not surprising. Once government creates new rules, those rules tend to live forever.

Many are just unnecessary. Airlines don't want to kill their customers, and pilots don't want to kill themselves, so they self-regulate.

The last fatal commercial airline crash was 13 years ago. Flying is much safer than driving, biking, and taking a bus or train.

"Safer than any mode of conveyance ever, including walking," says Price.

But politicians believe that if they're not passing more rules, they're not doing their job.

So expect more flight delays this summer.

"I spend a lot more time than I want to making announcements to people apologizing for being late," says Price. "We should be looking for ways to expand the availability of airline travel to more people so more people can take advantage of this amazingly safe way to get from A to B."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: airlines; biggovernment; flightdelays
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To: Kaslin

When I first read this, I thought the government was delaying flights because the pilots weren’t diverse enough - there is a HUGE push to get more women and POCs to become airline pilots.

My daughter had a heck of a time getting out of Hawaii last week - flight after flight canceled. She said people were screaming in the terminal trying to get on any flight going out - her flight was to Los Angeles and people were desperately trying to get on her flight, one of the few that wasn’t canceled - just to get back to the mainland.

Family has a long-awaited trip to Hawaii soon - AirBNB is already paid for and we’re coming from four different areas. I’m worried that we all won’t be able to get there now without delays - or will be able to return easily


21 posted on 05/25/2022 7:30:31 AM PDT by Bon of Babble (Rigged Elections have Consequences)
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To: TexasGator; mikelets456; All

“many are not passing their physical because of myocarditis.”

How many?


About 30% ...

Dr. Peter McCullough says 30% of vaccinated pilots would fail health screenings because of vaccine injuries

https://miamistandard.news/2022/04/27/dr-peter-mccullough-says-30-of-vaccinated-pilots-would-fail-health-screenings-because-of-vaccine-injuries/


22 posted on 05/25/2022 7:31:41 AM PDT by Jane Long (What we were told was a “conspiracy theory” in 2020 is now fact. 🙏🏻 Ps 33:12)
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To: null and void

With all the damage that’s been caused by the vax, it was no cheap shot. We’ll be seeing the economic, social and political costs for decades to come.


23 posted on 05/25/2022 7:31:59 AM PDT by Betty Jane
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To: pepsi_junkie
average citizens didn't know he was brain dead (especially since he didn't campaign or make public appearances at all)

That sounds vaguely familiar...

24 posted on 05/25/2022 7:32:11 AM PDT by null and void (We're trapped between too many questions unanaswered, and too many answers unquestioned...)
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To: Kaslin

It’s a roundabout way to force the airlines to adopt electric aircraft motors. They’ll relax the new requirement if the comply.


25 posted on 05/25/2022 7:34:36 AM PDT by CodeJockey (Politicians are to America as oligarchs are to Russia. )
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To: Bon of Babble

Wow....that is scary...not being able to get a flight out of HI.

We USED to travel there, quite often.

We haven’t, in years....due to being too busy....kids....covid...etc.

We’d thought about going, again, but...have decided flying ANYWHERE, right now, is NOT a good idea.

You are right...they’re now pushing for diversity, for their flight decks. United Airlines is one who has specifically said this.

No, thanks!

We’ll drive to any vacation we take.


26 posted on 05/25/2022 7:36:51 AM PDT by Jane Long (What we were told was a “conspiracy theory” in 2020 is now fact. 🙏🏻 Ps 33:12)
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To: Betty Jane

With all the damage that’s been caused by the vax, it was no cheap shot. We’ll be seeing the economic, social and political costs for decades to come.


And, the extent of the cover up, of their corruption...to commit this, runs deep.


27 posted on 05/25/2022 7:38:02 AM PDT by Jane Long (What we were told was a “conspiracy theory” in 2020 is now fact. 🙏🏻 Ps 33:12)
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To: Jane Long

“many are not passing their physical because of myocarditis.”

How many?

“About 30% ...”

30% are NOT failing physicals due to vaccination.


28 posted on 05/25/2022 7:38:27 AM PDT by TexasGator (UF)
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To: null and void

“That was a cheap shot..”

How so? Its the TRUTH.

I am sorry IF the TRUTH hurts.


29 posted on 05/25/2022 7:41:56 AM PDT by woodbutcher1963
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To: Kaslin
The sixfold increase wouldn't have prevented the Colgan crash. Those pilots had many more than 1,500 hours of flight time. The pilot had 3,379 -- the co-pilot, 2,244.

This is the same as lowering the BAC from .08 to .06 after a crash involving a driver with a .15 BAC.

30 posted on 05/25/2022 7:44:52 AM PDT by Mr.Unique (My boss wants me to sign up for a 401K. No way I'm running that far! )
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To: woodbutcher1963
But, but, but the shots are free!!!
31 posted on 05/25/2022 7:46:23 AM PDT by null and void (We're trapped between too many questions unanaswered, and too many answers unquestioned...)
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To: Jim W N

Agreed.

One diabolical thing I’ve been ramping up on is the real nature of the 14th Amendment, on the heels of the 13th.

14th creates something heretofore unknown to the ‘Several’ states - the notion of being a Citizen of the United States. Before the 14th, states were ‘Severable’, freemen/woman were citizens only of their domiciled state. By creating a new status, Citizen of the US, the way was paved to grow what the federales do beyond the imagination.


32 posted on 05/25/2022 7:47:17 AM PDT by C210N (Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.)
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To: woodbutcher1963

Just like the lump of cheese in the mouse trap is free...


33 posted on 05/25/2022 7:47:35 AM PDT by null and void (We're trapped between too many questions unanaswered, and too many answers unquestioned...)
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To: TexasGator

30% are NOT failing physicals due to vaccination.


So says Dr TxGator.

FTA I linked...

...“He [McCullough] said that if every vaccinated pilot were to be screened, there would be somewhere around a 30 percent loss in manpower,” Yoder said. (Related: COVID-19 vaccine mandates for airline pilots increase the risks of flying) ...

I’ll take highly credentialed cardiologist Dr McCullough’s word, over random FRoctor, TxGator’s word.


34 posted on 05/25/2022 7:50:09 AM PDT by Jane Long (What we were told was a “conspiracy theory” in 2020 is now fact. 🙏🏻 Ps 33:12)
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To: Jane Long

“I’ll take highly credentialed cardiologist Dr McCullough’s word, over random FRoctor, TxGator’s word.”

Who does NOT say that 30% are failing their physicals!


35 posted on 05/25/2022 7:52:43 AM PDT by TexasGator (UF)
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To: Jane Long

“I’ll take highly credentialed cardiologist Dr McCullough’s word,”

The dude that was fired?


36 posted on 05/25/2022 7:57:16 AM PDT by TexasGator (UF)
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To: Kaslin; All
"In 2009, after a Colgan Air crash near Buffalo, New York, killed 50 people, Congress decided [??? emphasis added] that airlines could only hire aspiring commercial pilots who already had lots of flight time."
FR: Never Accept the Premise of Your Opponent’s Argument

While federal safety regulation of airlines is arguably a good idea, it remains that the states have never expressly constitutionally given the post-17th Amendment ratification, unconstitutionally big federal government the specific powers to do a whole lot of things that it is now doing, no power to dictate the qualifications of airline pilots for example.

"From the accepted doctrine that the United States is a government of delegated powers, it follows that those not expressly granted, or reasonably to be implied from such as are conferred, are reserved to the states, or to the people. To forestall any suggestion to the contrary, the Tenth Amendment was adopted. The same proposition, otherwise stated, is that powers not granted are prohibited [emphasis added]." —United States v. Butler, 1936.

In fact, the only mention of safety in Constitution limits the federal government's power to police safety to cases associated with rebellion or insurrection.

"Article I, Section 9, Clause 2: The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it [emphasis added]."

In other words, it has long been impossible to reverse-engineer the actions of the very corrupt federal government to its actual, constitutionally enumerated powers.

Based on regular unconstitutional federal government interference in the affairs of the sovereign states, the Constitution should arguably be longer then the unconstitutional, unaccountable, 2,600+ page spending bills that desperate Democratic-controlled Congress infamously makes.

"Congress is not empowered to tax for those purposes which are within the exclusive province of the States." —Justice John Marshall, Gibbons v. Ogden, 1824.

Corrections, insights welcome.

Next, patriots are reminded that they must vote twice this election year. Your first vote is to primary career RINO incumbents. Your second vote is to replace outgoing Democrats and RINOs with Trump-endorsed patriot candidates.

Again, insights welcome.

37 posted on 05/25/2022 7:57:59 AM PDT by Amendment10
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To: TexasGator
Not a FRoctor, but a parser.

¿Depends on what the meaning of is is, sí?

38 posted on 05/25/2022 7:58:18 AM PDT by null and void (We're trapped between too many questions unanaswered, and too many answers unquestioned...)
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To: TexasGator

He is a flake, according to my daughter who interviewed with him for a position in the cardiology department at Baylor. And this was pre-Covid.


39 posted on 05/25/2022 8:03:13 AM PDT by SoftballMominVA (No konger in VA. Living the OBX life now!)
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To: Jane Long; SoftballMominVA

“He [McCullough] said that if every vaccinated pilot were to be screened, there would be somewhere around a 30 percent loss in manpower,”

LOL! They are being “screened” and we are NOT seeing a 30% loss! 1st Class ATP requires medical every 12 months if younger than age 40, Every 6 months over 40


40 posted on 05/25/2022 8:15:02 AM PDT by TexasGator (UF)
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