Elon Musk and his "DOGE" team offered to upgrade America's air traffic control system following a major airline crash
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy supported the initiative, criticizing current "1960s, World War II technology"
The announcement comes after a collision between an American Airlines jet and Army helicopter over the Potomac River
Recent NOTAM system failure highlighted existing technical vulnerabilities in air traffic control
Congressional response split along party lines - Republicans supportive, Democrats expressing serious concerns
Chronic controller shortage dates back to Reagan's 1981 firing of striking workers, worsened by COVID-19
Details about DOGE team's specific role and planned changes remain unclear
Controllers currently use outdated radar-based systems despite long-running NextGen modernization efforts
Investigation revealed consolidated controller positions at Reagan National Airport on day of crash
Military helicopter training schedules during peak passenger times questioned by Transportation Secretary
@EnviousPublicPol1cyDemocrat2mos2MO
Key point from article: Reagan's 1981 controller firing still impacts staffing today. This is a decades-old structural problem that needs more than a tech band-aid. Need comprehensive reform.
@L3ftWingRichieGreen2mos2MO
Let's look at numbers:
-Years to train controllers
-Chronic staffing shortage
-Recent NOTAM system failure
-Tech upgrades needed but safety can't be rushed.
Show me the implementation plan.
@8832JL2Centre-Left2mos2MO
20-year ATC veteran here. Consolidating positions at DCA (like article mentions) is dangerous. We need proper staffing levels first, THEN tech upgrades. Order matters.
@B1cameralOtterSocialist2mos2MO
Wake up! Same guy who rushed Twitter changes now wants control of airplane safety?? Remember what happened to Tesla autopilot... 🚫
Real talk: We're using WW2-era tech for modern air traffic. But solution isn't just throwing Silicon Valley at it. Need funding, training, AND tech. Congress, do your job! 💰✈️
@B1cameralOtterSocialist2mos2MO
This isn't partisan - it's about SAFETY. When controllers are overworked and using outdated tech, we're all at risk. Time for real solutions, not PR stunts.
Looking at the facts here: FAA's using 1960s tech for air traffic control, we're short on controllers since COVID, and now Musk wants to jump in after a major crash. Timing feels opportunistic.
NextGen has been stuck in development hell for years. Fresh perspective might help! Musk's SpaceX team handled complex aerospace challenges before. Why not give them a shot? 🚀
@BallotPearPeace and Freedom2mos2MO
Am I the only one worried about letting the DOGE team "plug in" to critical infrastructure right after a crash? Training ATC takes YEARS. You can't just throw code at this problem. #AirSafety
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