FAA discriminated against applicants based on race? What led to disaster
FAA Hiring Policies Under Scrutiny Following Deadly Aviation Incident
Concerns over the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) hiring policies have resurfaced in the wake of the tragic midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The disaster, which involved a passenger jet and a military helicopter, has left up to 67 people dead. Allegations have reemerged that the FAA’s hiring practices, including claims of racial discrimination in applicant selection, may have compromised safety.
Former President Donald Trump suggested that diversity hiring initiatives played a role in the incident, though he did not provide evidence to support this claim.
Background on FAA Hiring Controversy
Debate over the FAA’s hiring policies predates Wednesday’s accident. A major class-action lawsuit has been filed against the agency, alleging that its hiring process for air traffic controllers (ATCs) unfairly rejected candidates based on race.
The lawsuit originated with Andrew Brigida, who claims that under the Obama administration, the FAA replaced a skills-based hiring system with a "biographical assessment" aimed at increasing minority representation. Brigida, a white applicant who scored 100% on his training exam, says he was denied employment due to his race.
In 2014, Brigida received an email stating that FAA hiring processes were changing to "improve and streamline" recruitment. His application was among those affected, according to William Perry Pendley, an attorney with the Mountain States Legal Foundation, which is representing hundreds of individuals from diverse racial backgrounds who say they faced discrimination.
The FAA and the Department of Transportation are contesting the lawsuit.
FAA's Hiring Process and Changes
The biographical assessment used by the FAA was designed to evaluate applicants’ experiences and behaviors through multiple-choice questions on decision-making, pressure handling, and risk management. However, in 2018, Congress passed a law banning its use, prompting the FAA to revert to the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) as its primary screening tool.
Reactions and Statements
Andrew Brigida (The Telegraph, Thursday):
"You want to hire the best and the brightest for this kind of job because it is a very stressful job and can take a toll on you. You want to make sure that the people doing it are the best."
Mountain States Legal Foundation (Thursday statement):
"DEI hiring policies have no place in America, especially in safety-critical industries. Last night’s accident is a sobering reminder of the cost of placing ideology over expertise. How many more tragedies must occur before we return to common sense? It’s time to demand accountability, end DEI hiring in aviation, and restore safety as the top priority in our airways."
FAA Statement to Fox News (April 2024):
"Every FAA-certified air traffic controller undergoes months of rigorous screening and training before spending another 18-24 months learning specific airspaces. There is a well-known national shortage of air traffic controllers, and the FAA is actively recruiting to ensure no talent is overlooked while maintaining the highest qualification standards."
Former President Donald Trump (Thursday press conference):
"We need the smartest people for these jobs. It doesn’t matter what they look like, how they speak, or who they are—what matters is intellect and natural talent. Air traffic control is incredibly stressful, and only the best should be in these positions."
Legal and Investigative Proceedings
A civil discrimination case against the FAA, involving approximately 900 claimants, is set to go to trial next year. Meanwhile, investigations into the cause of the Reagan National Airport crash are ongoing, with findings potentially taking months or even years to finalize.
https://www.newsweek.com/faa-reject-air-traffic-controllers-race-airport-crash-2024097
