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cover of episode Flying is still safe, for now — but the FAA isn’t

Flying is still safe, for now — but the FAA isn’t

2025/3/6
logo of podcast Decoder with Nilay Patel

Decoder with Nilay Patel
AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
A
Andy Hawkins
Transportation editor at The Verge, known for his in-depth analysis of the automotive industry and transportation policy.
N
Neil A. Patel
Topics
Neil A. Patel: 我在最近一次飞行中注意到乘客在飞机落地后鼓掌，这表明人们对航空安全的担忧日益增加。这不仅仅是因为最近发生的一些悲剧性事故，更重要的是，我们习以为常的航空安全系统正在被破坏。Elon Musk 的介入以及对 FAA 系统的潜在破坏，使得人们对飞行安全感到不安。我们需要一个更复杂的方法来解决这个问题，它需要整合人员、技术和政策。 Andy Hawkins: 我同意 Neil 的观点，最近确实发生了一些高调的悲剧性事故，但统计数据显示，航空旅行的安全性比以往任何时候都高。然而，这建立在一个非常脆弱的系统之上。FAA 的空中交通管制系统人手不足，并且依赖于过时的技术。拜登政府试图通过增加空中交通管制员来解决这个问题，但这是一个漫长的过程。特朗普政府的裁员和对 FAA 的干预加剧了这一问题。Elon Musk 试图让 SpaceX 的 Starlink 取代 Verizon 的合同，这可能存在利益冲突。私有化空中交通管制是一个有争议的话题，需要谨慎考虑，尤其是在我们已经取得显著安全改进的情况下。自动化可能是一个解决方案，但需要确保其安全性。

Deep Dive

Chapters
The episode opens with Nilay Patel's observation about an unusual passenger reaction on a routine flight, which leads into a discussion about recent concerns over air travel safety amidst political and corporate influences.
  • Passengers clapped on a routine flight, indicating heightened safety concerns.
  • Recent plane crashes and political actions, like Elon Musk's influence on the FAA, contribute to public anxiety.
  • Air travel remains statistically very safe despite recent high-profile incidents.

Shownotes Transcript

So today I’m talking to Andy Hawkins, *The Verge’*s transportation editor, about what’s going on in the skies. Andy just edited a big piece for us by writer Darryl Campbell that helps put a lot of what’s happening in air travel right now in perspective. It has some very reassuring data points, but it also raises important questions about what we need to do next to reinstill confidence in air travel.

Andy and I talked about how safe it really is to fly right now — extremely safe, it turns out — and how the current air traffic systems might change for better and worse. And, of course, we talked about Elon Musk.

**Links: **

  • What’s the deal with all these airplane crashes? | Verge)

  • How Elon Musk muscled his way into the FAA | Bloomberg)

  • Elon Musk says upgrade of FAA’s air traffic control system is failing | CNN)

  • FAA targeting Verizon contract in favor of Musk’s Starlink, sources say | WashPo)

  • FAA officials ordered staff to find funding for Elon Musk’s Starlink | Rolling Stone)

  • FAA announces ‘hiring supercharge’ for air traffic controllers | Forbes)

  • Air traffic control trainees to get raise, in nod to cost of living | NYT)

  • Some of the 400 jobs that were cut at the FAA helped support air safety | AP)

  • DC plane crash marks first major commercial crash in US since 2009 | ABC)

  • What the ATC controller sees | Flight Training Central)

Credits:

Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Our producers are Kate Cox and Nick Statt. Our editor is Ursa Wright. 

The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

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