T. GAMBLE: Safety of passengers ‘dwarfed’ by FAA inclusion plans

There is nothing like the federal government getting involved in anything to guarantee it will be screwed up.

Recently the Federal Aviation Administration announced a very aggressive diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility program. Now, there is nothing wrong with trying to include everyone and make the playing field fair. Unfortunately, I think this particular program is a code name for we are about to get more than we bargained for.

Now please don’t misunderstand me. I am all in favor of helping those with a host of disabilities. But remember here we are talking about the agency responsible for air safety, airplane flights, air traffic controllers and pilots.

The FAA says their focus is on hiring people with “severe intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.” Now maybe I fell off the turnip truck before learning all about qualifications for airlines, safety, traffic controlling, etc., but I’m pretty sure I do not want my traffic controller to have a severe psychiatric disability. If you are prone to breakdowns, occasional anger issues, maybe a sleep disorder or two; I’d prefer you not be guiding my plane to a landing.

The same holds true if you plan on being the pilot, the mechanic working on the plane, or even working for TSA checking for the occasional terrorist bomber.

But like Ronco Presents, that’s not all folks. FAA also says, “Targeted disabilities for special emphasis are people with hearing and vision missing, complete paralysis, epilepsy, and even dwarfism.” They follow this delightful tidbit of inclusion by stating their diversity and inclusion program “is integral to achieving FAA’s mission of ensuring safe and efficient travel across our nation and beyond.”

Well, I for one can state for years I have always said, “You know if we had more dwarfs in the airline industry, things sure would be a lot safer.” I’m not sure where the rest of the categories fit in here.

Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, chairman of Do No Harm, a group of health care professionals, says the FAA has an obligation to protect its travelers. He notes people with disabilities should never face discrimination if they can complete the task in a timely and safe manner. But, unfortunately, these FAA policies are of those which it’s designed to serve creating opportunities for so-called oppressed groups by lowering standards for entry into those fields and thereby endangering safety. Some endeavors simply do not lend themselves to identity politics.”

I could not agree more.

I don’t ask for much, but I do want my pilot to be stable, my airline mechanic to avoid psychiatric episodes and my traffic controllers to have good eyesight. I prefer my TSA folks have at least a small level of intelligence, which at times I wonder if that is being accomplished. We may need to do a better job of helping those in need, but how about we start somewhere like the IRS and leave the airline industry alone for right now.