(Zero Hedge)—Just as multiple air travel related tragedies have taken place, it’s been reported that the FAA is fighting a class action lawsuit alleging it denied 1,000 people air traffic controller jobs based on diversity hiring targets, according to the New York Post.
The lawsuit, originally filed in 2015, resurfaced following a fatal midair collision in Washington, DC, that claimed 67 lives—the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in nearly 25 years. Hours later, a small private plane crashed in Northeast Philadelphia, putting emphasis on the role of air traffic control.
At the time of the blackhawk helicopter incident, staffing levels were reportedly “not normal.” Andrew Brigida, the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, criticized the FAA’s focus on diversity and inclusion, suggesting it contributed to the likelihood of such an accident.
The New York Post report says that the lawsuit claims the FAA, under the Obama administration, replaced a skill-based hiring system with a “biographical assessment” to increase minority hires.
Andrew Brigida, a white applicant, alleges racial discrimination after being rejected despite scoring 100% on his training exam at Arizona State University’s aviation program in 2013.
The FAA faces growing criticism over its hiring policies, with some, including former President Trump, blaming diversity programs for understaffing and lower air traffic control standards.
Lead plaintiff Andrew Brigida suggested diversity-focused hiring made an aviation accident inevitable. He pointed to the FAA’s preliminary report, which revealed the controller on duty during the fatal plane-helicopter crash was handling two roles due to staffing shortages. The report also noted that Ronald Reagan National Airport had fewer controllers than recommended.
Brigida, now an FAA program manager, hopes Trump will address the staffing crisis if re-elected. Meanwhile, the FAA continues struggling with shortages since 2020’s pandemic layoffs.
The lawsuit, which the FAA and the Department of Transportation are contesting, is set for trial next year. Government lawyers argue that expanding hiring eligibility doesn’t constitute discrimination under Title VII, as it ensures equal access rather than preserving prior advantages.
Of course the FAA is complicit in this crash. They had to have a transgender, one-armed, blind, mute air controller just because Biden’s people deemed it so. SARCASM/HYPERBOLE people!!! But the message is the same. They have to have so many gays, so many blacks, so many Native Americans, so many transgenders, so many wheelchair bound persons, etc. that they had no time to mess with qualified candidates that didn’t need to be coddled or given ‘special treatment’ to be ready to “control”.
And wouldn’t it be it be ironic if the heretofore unnamed female pilot of the Blackhawk helicopter was trans suicidial?
Trump and Republicans to follow what MLK Jr. advocated that a man should be judged on the content of his content of his character, the skill of his hands and the knowledge of his mind. The latter two were added in a speech in Phoenix by MLK during the Democrat filibuster of the Civil Rights legislation. Democrats can’t get past a person’s skin color or genitals when promoting DEI.
“The lawsuit, which the FAA and the Department of Transportation are contesting, is set for trial next year. Government lawyers argue that expanding hiring eligibility doesn’t constitute discrimination under Title VII, as it ensures equal access rather than preserving prior advantages.”
I wonder if this will still be the facts of the case with Pres. Trump’s admin…
To hell with DEI. I am a million mile business flier who relied on air crews, aircraft maintenance crews and air traffic controllers to keep me alive. I would guess that many controllers were fired for not taking the poisonous Covid jabs. That is where I would start with the necessary re-hirings. As far as the firings are concerned, start with DEI hires.
DEI is open racist discrimination which is illegal by many US laws. Life is very simple you either are racist or not. Your either color bling or not.
wtf is wrong with you?
“The FAA faces growing criticism over its hiring policies, with some, including FORMER President Trump, blaming diversity programs…”
How old is this article?
typical Dimocrat rhetoric and “intellegent” response! BUT, if it ain’t broke, DON’T fix it! I rest my case!
Scottie CW4(Ret) Cobra/Loach Pilot-RVN, also IP/IFE/MTP, U.S Army, 27 years
There is little question that FAA’s discriminatory hiring practices contributed to the midair collision at DCA. The staffing at DCA tower was “not normal”. Last year, the FAA reassigned some of Philadelphia’s controllers to help out with Newark traffic because the NY TRACON did not have enough controllers. The FAA denied employment to 1,000 qualified hires because they are white men. Now they whine they are short staffed. Time to take out the garbage.
Once again, thanks barry.
this is obama and biden’s perverted and reprobate leadership
This is why a large majority of white people especially males didn’t get a Job.
They were told to hire, immigrants the people of color. No matter what.
…the stench of Democrat incompetency is only magnified by the lack luster of the Liberal News Media…yes, indeed it is time to take the trash out and bury it…
The kenyan, the gift that keeps on giving. I despise that halfrican more and more each day.
At the end of the day, the American People are still stuck with a lying, deceitful, self-serving Communist media.
a friend of mines older brother was a ATC in the 80’s when Reagan fired them all for striking, I believe military ATC’s came in and picked up the slack till they could train replacements for the ATC’s
get rid of DEI and hire the most qualified people