He was grilled at his confirmation hearing and was unable to answer the most basic, softball questions. It was was a total embarrassment, but he did say that he would be open to include an "equity czar" on his team.
Airplanes are having close calls on a weekly basis, yet we're going to put in a buffoon like this because of his skin color.
That's equity, that's identity politics, and it's full of shit!
management experience in a significant part of those responsibilities...from the link...
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The FAA carries a huge responsibility – from directing air traffic in and around the nation and helping ensure protection of the public during space launches, to airport safety and inspections, and standards for AIRPORT DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND OPERATION; regulating flight inspection standards and advancing satellite and navigation technology, to developing and maintaining the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).
To accomplish all this and more, the FAA RELIES ON THE TALENTS OF A DIVERSE GROUP of aviation, technical and business professionals to perform a variety of hands-on functions that keep air travel moving freely and safely. (emphasis mine)
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Bottom line...Mr. Washington was CEO of Denver Int'l Airport (3rd busiest in the U.S.), and CEO of L.A. Metro, handling all the business, construction, personnel and bureaucratic issues involved in a major city's transportation needs....btw, how many pilots have that level of experience which is needed to Administer the FAA?
Link: https://www.faa.gov/jobs/who_we_are
other non-pilots...but he does have experience running airport operations...and doing the job very well. Mr. Washington also rose to the E-9 level in the Army described as...
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Command Sergeant Major (E-9)
Enlisted soldiers who attain the distinction of being selected by the Department of the Army for participation in the command sergeants major program are the epitome of success in their chosen field. There is no higher grade of rank, except sergeant major of the Army, for enlisted soldiers, and there is no greater honor.
The command sergeant major carries out policies and standards of the performance, training, appearance and conduct of enlisted personnel. The command sergeant major advises and initiates recommendations to the commander and staff in matters pertaining to the local NCO support channel.
Perhaps slightly wiser and more experienced than the first sergeant, the CSM is expected to function completely without supervision. Like the old sage of times past, the command sergeant major's counsel is expected to be calm, settled and unequivocally accurate, but with an energy and enthusiasm that never wanes, even in the worst of times.
Assignable to any billet in the Army, the CSM is all those things, and more, of each of the preceding grades of rank.
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Watch the full hearing in the attached link, especially the comments from Sen. Hickenlooper at the 12:20 mark....note that President Bush's FAA Administrator was formerly the head of the National Transportation Safety Board (Marion Blakey)...i.e. not a licensed pilot. This job has almost nothing to do with knowing how to fly a plane...it is a transportation industry management organization, and Phil Washington has already distinguished himself in such a capacity.
Link: https://youtu.be/ToMnYMM5Zqg
I don't know his background, and he could have served as a CSM, but just being an E9 doesn't give you that distinction, it's for a specific reason.
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provided of the entire hearing...he understands the aviation INDUSTRY and has demonstrated in both the Military and Civilian environments that he is a capable and effective EXECUTIVE...who does not need to be a pilot when it comes to running the FAA...as other Administrators have also demonstrated.
Mr. Washington is an excellent choice for managing the ENTIRE FAA scope of responsibilities...
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