Re: FAA and DOT Leadership

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JJ Johnson wrote:

> ....the chairman and CEO of Continental Airlines will
> personally fly the first first 767-400 extended range jet
> from the Boeing plant in Seattle to company headquarters....

He is a rare bird among Airline CEOs, probably the only one
in the major airlines.

> I wonder if our...CEO of the FAA can fly anything...?
> I wonder if our...CEO of the FAA or DOT has set foot
> in the cockpit of an aircraft...inspected an ILS or
> controlled traffic?

It's not a requirement for the job. The system in the hands of pilots
(or controllers) would be as screwed up as it is now. Pilots can't even
do a simple airline merger without eating their own. They have proven
that they can help bad CEOs destroy airlines, if the stock holders let
it happen.

> I wonder what the qualifications are to lead the world's
> largest...aviation organization?

We've had "former Air Force or Navy" commanders "with aviation leadership
experience to head the FAA" and it didn't "stop this bureaucratic nonsense."

The job of the Cabinet members and administrative heads is to protect the
President. The bureaucracies run themselves, under the "leadership" of the
2d and 3d tier deputies. We should probably be asking if any of them fly
airplanes, and I'm sure the answer is more likely to be in the affirmative.

When your Nation has fewer areas of contention among it's various factions,
magnified by "professional" politicians almost beyond recognition by the
everyday citizen, then we can all get down to business.

The "bread and circuses" atmosphere will not change itself, but can only be
changed by citizens who are as smart and hard-working as their nemeses
in DC. Do you see people in your community who fit the bill? Have you
written or called your Congress Critter or Senator this month? This year?
Ever?

Together, the people of the US still are the most powerful political and
economic force on earth. But what would bring them together? The momentum
is in the opposite direction. Of course, every change is an opportunity for
good as well as ill, but the people who manipulate change professionally
have got the upper hand, simply because we don't understand the process
and don't want to.

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"The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield
and government to gain ground."
-- Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

This guy was an expert, maybe we ought to pay attention.
He told us a lot more. It is written down and preserved.
Get to know it!
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"Change never helps those
who do not help themselves."
-- Sophocles

--
Jack