The executive order of the FAA follows a subject of conservative discussion on the diversity of aviation

During his second day of mandate, President Donald Trump ordered the immediate end of diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the Federal Aviation Administration in an executive decree proclaiming that Dei “penalizes the Americans who work hard Serve in the FAA but are unable to do it, because they lack a handicap or a required skin color. »»

In addition to other decrees in annulment of all forms of DEI in federal agencies, this order called to keep the Americans safe in aviation, came after the Conservatives put a target on the agency at the start of ‘Last year in response to an incident in which a panel exploded an Alaska Alalines Alaska Airplane at 16,000 feet. A Federal Surveillance Committee concluded that the agency had not carried out “effective” monitoring of the aircraft manufacturer, Boeing.

An information sheet on the White House on Trump’s decrees added that Dei had led to the hiring of people with a severe “intellectual” disability, psychiatric problems and complete paralysis “.

The Tennessee Garvey, a pilot for a large airline for 22 years, said that Dei “was armed” by some like Elon Musk, the owner of Spacex and an ally of Trump who said last year that Boeing “prioritized Dei on security “because he had a diversity program.

“It’s just false,” said Garvey. “There has never been any evidence that this is because of security problems, because it is not the case.”

Eric Hendrick, a former pilot who is the director of awareness of the Delta Airlines pilot, accepted.

“Why don’t we go back to history and we are looking for every plane crash, and do we tell me how many times a black pilot was the cause?” He said. “There is no slip scale with regard to pilots. Everyone must meet industry standards and they are high. So Armer Dei saying that he could threaten public security is simply ridiculous. »»

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects around 18,000 pilot jobs opening up to 2033 each year. Meanwhile, the FAA had a shortage of air controllers for years. Garvey said that the elimination of Dei could only exacerbate the request. American Airlines, United and Southwest did not respond to requests for comments on how the decree could affect pilot numbers.

“It is incredibly surprising in this industry, where the objective is to promote aviation security, that they get rid of the programs that can help security,” said Garvey. “And if there is something that does not go with aviation in America, how can Dei be the problem?” There are only 4% black pilots operating in this space. »»

Hendrick said the decree should not stop the airline programs that promote equity in hiring and the opportunities that already existed.

“Trump’s order is symbolic of what they want to do but not symbolic of the aeronautical industry,” said Hendrick. He stressed that major airlines have had diversity programs for decades, and even with political pressure, “it is not something that will stop.”

This is encouraging for Tremaine Johnson, 23, senior at Florida Memorial University, who wants to be a pilot. Working in an airport service center, Johnson said that he “could count on my hand the number of black pilots that I see”. He obtained his pilot license and used $ 1,000 from his pay check for $ 1,700 every two weeks to pay for training to become a sales pilot, he said.

When he learned that the Dei à la Faa programs had been closed, “it struck me hard. It was shocking. We all know that blacks have to work very hard to win what we want. So I don’t understand why people think that Dei is bad.

Johnson’s goal was delayed when Covid struck in 2020. “Now it looks like another roadblock,” he said. “But I’m not going to let him stop. I will continue. I just want to fly.

Garvey, who is also at the head of the organization of 5,000 members of black aerospace professionals, said that Trump’s executive order is undergoing years of work by his organization and his programs that have provided a mentoring, Training and career development for black pilots, air traffic controllers and other aviation workers.

“The representation is so important,” he said. “Dei is essential. It is morally imperative and it is vital for the long -term success of the industry. … There is nothing wrong with creating opportunities. There is nothing wrong with making people feel valued. There is nothing wrong with diversity. Diversity is a stronger environment. Diversity creates success. And there is nothing wrong with ensuring that there are no barriers for a particular group of people. »»

The National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employey goes to schools in local communities, including Hispanic positions, to recruit and help students find a job in the federal government.

“We are not looking for people according to their ethnic origin, but the schools in which we are going are institutions that are minorities,” said Oscar Torres, national president of the group and specialist in air traffic control that works for The federal government for 17 years.

He added that from his last check, just over 10% of the 44,000 FAA employees were Latinos. “There is still work to do, once again, trying to find this basin of talented people,” said Torres. “Latinos are the largest minority in the country. I think that when you have figures that do not reflect what the country looks like … It is a guide for us. “Hey, we have work to do.” »»

FAA jobs are coveted, he said. There may be up to 25,000 candidates for each air traffic controller work, said Torres.

With his deep interest in aviation, Garvey said he was emblematic of future aviation workers that OBAP has helped for over 50 years. And now Trump’s decree has inspired the organization to redouble its efforts, he said.

“We will continue to provide mentoring and advice to ensure that under-represented groups, in particular black pilots and traffic controllers, and all aerospace professionals, will have the support they need to prosper within this industry. “