Given what happened in DC on Wednesday night, and the two recent tragedies in South Korea, is flying less safe today than it has been before?
Adjekum: Obviously, it's not a perfect system. We've improved technology, we've improved the human element and the environment in which we operate, but there are still vulnerabilities. However, we see millions of flights that occur every day without safety incidents.
Bubb: It's important for the public to understand that airline pilots undergo very rigorous training. You have very talented and highly qualified pilots flying those planes.
If you think about the fact that the last time we had a major crash in this country was back in 2009, the industry’s safety record really is remarkable.
How should people think about the series of issues there seem to have been of late, given that flying is so safe?
Adjekum: Right now, flight operations are like a rubber band. And we keep pulling it.
Bear in mind that post-pandemic, there has been an increase in flight operations worldwide, and especially in the United States. Add to that the introduction of drones, and the number of vehicles is increasing. Now, with that, the question we need to ask ourselves is: What is the level of investment we have when it comes to those who manage the system?
Bubb: At some point, we have to take a look at our system and say, are we overstressing it? What changes do we need to make in order to catch up to current conditions and to make it safer? Hopefully we will be able to meet this need; otherwise it could potentially jeopardize air traffic safety.
You both emphasized that the system is stressed. If you could talk to the president and relevant agency heads, what policy recommendation would you make to improve the system?
Adjekum: That's a $1 billion question. I don’t want to sound political. But I want to say that threats about firing federal workers, and cutting infrastructure budgets, are not helpful.
Imagine you are an air traffic controller. There is what we call a psychological dimension to that job: You always have to have the clarity of mind to carry out your activities. And so if there is a threat that you're going to lose your job, or you're not going to get the necessary resources to be able to effectively carry out your job, that presence of mind you need to be effective and to perform optimally could be affected.
So our appeal to the president, to Congress, is please, please, please don’t cut the budget for our aviation entities because they are very important in ensuring safety and efficiency within our national airspace.
Bubb: Similarly, I don’t want to get into the political weeds. But I don't think this is really a time for anybody — whether you're president, or a political party — to impose your agenda. This is a time when you need all relevant parties at the table having a conversation on how to improve the system.
Adjekum: We all fly in the same airspace, whether independent, Republican, Democrat.
