Aviation groups are lining up to urge the Senate to confirm Sean Duffy as the next Transportation Secretary. Duffy is among 14 of President-elect Donald Trump's picks for the most high profile portfolios to be grilled by senators this week and will take the hot seat in front of the Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation on Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST. in the second group of nominees. The National Air Transportation Association says his relatively early slot is positive sign. “By scheduling the Commerce Committee nomination hearing for Mr. Duffy on January 15, 2025, you have signaled a shared understanding of the value of a smooth transition and importance of steady leadership to our national transportation systems,” NATA President Curt Castagna said in a news release.
Could it be Trump picked someone who actually is qualified for the job? I’m stunned.
Hang on. I just looked him up. A lobbyist who was a Faux News on air personality. That explains that.
The fact that “Duffy’s transition team has already been researching the industry to gain understanding of its priorities” tells me that he knows next-to-nothing about aviation. Is he a pilot, or just a passenger in first-class? I would veto any candidate who had to get OJT from attending his first Airventure.
Don’t care about who picked him, it would be great if he knew about GA. But as the DOT guy he is equally responsible for rail and highways I believe. Maybe he’s a whiz at highways.
A participant on MTV Real World and Faux & Friends host are all the technical credentials Donald looks for in his unqualified appointees to run the most congested and intricate National Airspace in the world. Just another example of Don’s incompetence!
Not that you aren’t absolutely right DJ, but this is just one relatively small pustule on the face of a nation coming down with a potentially fatal case of chickenpox. (And it’s gonna be far more painful than bone spurs.) As far as I know, Duffy isn’t an alcoholic, serial sexual abusing, financial grifter with a flexibly creative relationship with the truth, like certain other nominees. Or his felonious sponsor.
Fortunately, his lack of aviation experience (aside from logging time in 1B with a complimentary cocktail) means it will be a year or two before we see what sort of General Aviation environment this nominee will bestow upon us. I’m hoping that we in GA can stay under the radar, and I’m doubling my contribution to the AOPA PAC. Money has always talked in DC, but it’s starting to look like it has a stadium rock concert sound system now.
You are correct, Larry, the head of DOT is responsible for rail, highway, air and pipeline transport systems. The reality is that the person that understands the needs of all four systems probably doesn’t exist. The best we can probably hope for is someone that has good analytical skills and knows how to maneuver the government maze to actually get some improvements in the national airspace system.