this post was submitted on 30 Jan 2025
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Summary

The FAA is facing a leadership vacuum amid a major aviation disaster after former administrator Michael Whitaker resigned on January 20th, following clashes with Elon Musk.

Musk, angered by FAA fines against SpaceX, publicly called for Whitaker’s resignation.

The crisis intensified after an Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines jet in Washington, D.C., killing all on board.

Trump has appointed Chris Rocheleau as acting FAA administrator, with Musk reportedly influencing government staffing decisions.

The FAA also struggles with underfunding and air traffic control staffing shortages.

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[–] breadsmasher 275 points 1 week ago (4 children)

the nazi musk, after being fined, pushed out the administrator of the agency that fined him.

well done, trump voters 👍

[–] [email protected] 112 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The whole point of this administration is revenge and demonstrating the power of the hated. The goal is to enshrine a permanent oligarchy and rich ruling class that no longer has to pander to the masses because they're tired of doing it.

[–] [email protected] 42 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Tearing apart the government is the goal. The Oligarchy is icing on the cake.

Or it might be the other way around. Idk it's the same either way.
im tired, boss.

[–] [email protected] 48 points 1 week ago (5 children)
[–] [email protected] 42 points 1 week ago

Single issue voters too. Narrow minded.

[–] alekwithak 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)
[–] TrickDacy 4 points 1 week ago

YoU sOunD lIkE bLuE mAgA

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[–] FlyingSquid 30 points 1 week ago

Hey, that's Musk's privilege as Chief Executive.

If you didn't want Musk doing this stuff, you shouldn't have voted for him.

[–] HappySkullsplitter 12 points 1 week ago

and they're perfectly fine with it, because they're told to be

[–] lennybird 79 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (4 children)

Just IMAGINE if this happened under a Biden or Obama administration.

Republicans would be losing their collective shit. They'd probably have some DEFCON level on the fox news ticker for a year straight.

[–] Lemminary 32 points 1 week ago (5 children)

Honest question: Where the heck are the left talking heads? The ones I follow are much too busy writing clickbait titles, covering the story and shaking their heads a bit.

[–] Xanthobilly 41 points 1 week ago

Corporate media is controlled by the fascists now.

[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 week ago

There's actually no point. Like literally. We're 10 days into this shit show. By the time of the midterms try to imagine how much sheer bullshit, how many should-be-scandals will have come and gone. Nobody will even remember this in 2 years time.

[–] FlyingSquid 10 points 1 week ago

They're terrified of being put into a camp. I kind of don't blame them but I kind of do.

[–] Chocrates 9 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

They are out there. I think none of them are as argumentative as the chuds though. And liberals don't fall in love like the right does, at least not that I have seen, which I think contributes.

[–] ChickenLadyLovesLife 2 points 1 week ago

I know many people who have fallen in love with Rachel Maddow.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 week ago

I believe Trump said he will jail the media - who wants to be the media?

[–] TrickDacy 3 points 1 week ago

Nah don't worry Republicans will investigate this just as hard as Benghazi, for 10 years. /s

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[–] MyDogLovesMe 76 points 1 week ago (1 children)

One ATC working two positions.

Cant imagine why this happened.

[–] [email protected] 28 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

Very common, I doubt it's contributing. Positions are made to combine up when it's less busy and to split off when it's more busy. You only rarely see all positions completely split off at most facilities.

BIG question is why the military helicopter, with onboard radar and proximity alerts that had to be going off in the cockpit, continue to fly into a commercial aircraft.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 week ago

Being common doesn't make it okay. ATC has been understaffed since Reagan killed the union.

[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

Pilots were flying under NVG (limited field of view) and appear to have been watching the wrong plane when they said they had the traffic in sight. Were probably flying too low for TCAS, if a black hawk even has it.

[–] Hobbes_Dent 19 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

The flight aware or whatever and atc audio is already out there and such for YouTubers and whatever. Your take sounds like mine as well; the helicopter pilots were cautioned by ATC, confirmed visual on the plane, hit the plane. I think it’s at least likely that they were observing that other plane seen on radar and the crash footage.

Helicopter had a 200ft. ceiling and broke it. Plane ~~was assumed on ILS but~~ appears was VFR and got a runway change. It seems to have been below its intended 500ft during the maneuver with the crash at 400ft.

This is probably better than my paraphrasing and probably screwing shit up:

https://youtu.be/_3gD_lnBNu0

And yeah, TCAS is 1000 ft. and above I think for resolution advisories.

More edit: also appears night vision was in use so yeah. I look forward to hearing further from Elon and Don how this was DEI and how they spin the military part of the blame.

[–] ChickenLadyLovesLife 5 points 1 week ago

It still seems kind of insane to have a helicopter at 200 ft. and a plane in the same place at 500 ft. - since the helicopter and plane only need to be at slightly different altitudes from that to crash, which of course is exactly what happened.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (3 children)

I'd be very surprised if a Blackhawk doesn't have much better radar than TCAS

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 week ago

When you're flying in close proximity like that at a low altitude, I'd assume they're all VFR and not relying on radar.

TCAS is good because it's an instantaneous "YOU WILL HIT THIS. GO UP NOW". There's no having to look at it and think about what to do, that's why its so successful. Can't really compare radar to that.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

.... But at the same time may not operate a transponder, as a war vehicle.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 week ago

Yes, based on what I've read the communication with the tower was all timely and accurate, it sounds like the pilot of the helicopter made an error

[–] [email protected] 63 points 1 week ago (5 children)

Note for 2025: don't fly in the US

[–] alquicksilver 55 points 1 week ago (3 children)

If you can help it, probably don't be in the US at all. And, if you're feeling generous, maybe take a few of us with you.

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[–] nman90 11 points 1 week ago (1 children)

See that's where I think you are wrong, don't fly in the U.S. from 2025 to at least 2029 depending.

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[–] clutchtwopointzero 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I have avoided transit through the US for over 15 years now, as LAX once had transfer facilities that felt like a prison... And transfers require redoing those TSA searches and enduring inordinately long lines. Id rather have my molars removed again as at least I can sit down while I wait

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

Just like the old adage don’t fly in or near Russia least one would end up in a similar situation to flight 17.

[–] FlyingSquid 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I am honestly really worried about my wife flying over here to Britain when I get a family visa.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

Cruise time! It'll be a fun vacation. Probably safer and definitely more relaxed (no TSA or airport tension)

[–] asteriskeverything 52 points 1 week ago (1 children)

In 2023, a panel of experts released a report that found that the increasing reliance of overtime to staff air traffic control facilities was putting air safety at risk. The agency has fielded hundreds of complaints from air traffic workers describing dangerous conditions from staff shortages to dilapidated buildings.

Completely off topic but made me think of the conditions 911 dispatchers have to work under. Both are extremely critical jobs where mistakes can really cost lives and not in the "I thought a bag of skittles was a gun" mistake

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 week ago

Allegedly ATC makes a lot of money but I know in my city at least, 911 operators don't make much and it can take a huge toll on their psyche.

[–] [email protected] 34 points 1 week ago

Hi, I'm the United States, and this is Jackass.

Proceeds to fly planes into crowds.

[–] KingGordon 27 points 1 week ago (4 children)

Why are all these fucking cowards resigning?Stand up to these fucking bullies you pussies. Get fired then turn around and sue them. Its a badge of honor to be fired by these assholes.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 week ago

When we quit, or act like it's all rigged and hopeless... We do the fascists' jobs for them.

[–] Evotech 4 points 1 week ago

Meh, they're only human

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Because the presidency is openly controlled by a data broker lol. No one has stronger blackmail

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

I'd want unemployment from getting fired to.

[–] rayyy 10 points 1 week ago

Welcome to the world leader of shit-hole countries.

[–] CharlesDarwin 4 points 1 week ago

Too bad Felon won't be investigated for his role here. Not only does he have too much money for that (Worthington's Law), but the government is corrupted with Republicans.

This is why I have been saying for decades now that no Republican should have ever been allowed into office....

[–] DarkCloud 4 points 1 week ago

What floor were they on when he was pushed out?

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