Staff Reports
A legal group is asking questions about the Biden administration’s handling of race in the hiring process for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Mountain States Legal Foundation is concerned about the FAA’s refusal to provide information on how race is considered in hiring and training. They believe that this information is crucial for ensuring the safety of air travel.
EXCLUSIVE: Legal Group Pushes Biden Admin To Provide Answers On Airline Industry Diversity Policy Amid Safety Concerns https://t.co/r31rldoUWv
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) May 22, 2024
The group’s general counsel, William Trachman, is determined to get answers. He has filed an appeal regarding the FAA’s decision not to expedite his request for information under the Freedom of Information Act. The FAA claimed there was no urgent need for the information, but Trachman strongly disagrees, emphasizing the importance of merit-based hiring in aviation.
The legal battle between MSLF and the FAA has been going on for almost ten years. It centers around the agency’s shift in 2013 towards a hiring process that prioritizes diversity over merit. The controversial “biographical questionnaire” introduced by the FAA has faced criticism for potentially excluding qualified candidates based on factors unrelated to job performance.
Trachman suspects that the FAA may be using discriminatory measures in its hiring practices, risking both the legality and safety of air traffic control. He argues that any deviation from race neutrality is unacceptable and could have serious consequences for air travel safety.
In light of recent safety incidents at major airports, the concerns raised by MSLF about the FAA’s hiring practices take on added significance. The group is determined to hold the agency accountable and ensure that hiring processes in aviation remain fair and merit-based.
