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As airlines’ service levels fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL

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When 38-year-old Pete Buttigieg, a Harvard and Oxford-educated former naval officer who served as the Mayor of Fort Bend, Indiana, won the Iowa caucuses in 2020, the Democratic Party beamed. Here was an openly gay politician – who later had children with his husband – who appeared to have all the boxes checked for a stellar career, perhaps all the way to the White House.

Buttigieg’s promise prompted President Biden to appoint him the 19th United States Secretary of Transportation. So far, however, Buttigieg has turned out to be a dud, especially in overseeing the airline industry. With the summer travel season about to start, Buttigieg has been clueless about lowering traveler anxiety.

Alaska Airlines (January 5): On January 5, 2024, a Boeing 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after departing from Portland International Airport. The incident occurred because a shoddily installed door plug flew off midair, leaving a sizable opening in the fuselage. Fortunately, no one on board was injured.

February 6, 2024: A United Airlines flight from Nassau, Bahamas, to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey experienced “stuck” rudder pedals during its landing roll. The captain reported that the pedals did not respond as expected. The incident occurred on a Boeing 737 Max 8, and investigations are ongoing.

February 19, 2024: A United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Boston, carrying 165 passengers, was diverted and landed in Denver due to damage to one of its wings.

On March 7, 2024, a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 departed from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for Osaka Kansai (Japan). However, shortly after becoming airborne and before retracting the landing gear, the inboard aft wheel of the left main gear separated from the gear strut and fell onto the groundFortunately, the plane landed safely back at the airport in San Francisco, with no injuries reported.

The list in the infographic below shows Boeing plane incidents from the first quarter of 2024.

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL
Infographic dated April 8, 2024

Airline incidents are not just about safety, although they are paramount in a traveler’s mind. Last week, a video of baggage handlers unloading a Delta Air Lines flight and carelessly tossing luggage and golfing equipment belonging to a Tennessee University men’s golf team went viral, prompting the airline to issue an apology and ask the team for a second chance.

Frequent flier programs at the big airlines are also undergoing significant changes, and each change disadvantages the paying traveler. These programs, which initially focused on distance traveled as long as someone bought a ticket, have become more complex. Today, most programs require you to spend money with the airline as opposed to miles flown. Many basic economy or discounted tickets no longer earn frequent flier points, making it more difficult for travelers to encash them for free travel. The price for claiming a reward flight keeps going up.

With the rush at airports due to inadequate TSA personnel staffing, as security checkpoint lines grow and airlines pack even more passengers into cramped planes, frequent fliers covet elite status levels. These levels allow free upgrades, early boarding, discounted or complimentary lounge memberships, preferred seating, and space for their carry-on bags. However, carriers like Delta Air Lines, American, and United have raised spending requirements to earn elite frequent flyer tiers.

Buttigieg runs the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), which includes several administrations and offices, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Maritime Administration (MARAD), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Office of the Secretary.

USDOT’s fiscal year 2021 budget was approximately $89.6 billion, the first year of the Biden administration. Reflecting Biden’s borrow-and-spend policies and including the additional $37 billion in guaranteed Advanced Appropriations provided under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department’s total budget for FY 2023 was $142 billion. With all the extra money available, why can’t the 56,000 DOT bureaucrats do what taxpayers expect them to do and reign in the airlines?

Buttigieg will argue that he has indeed implemented several rules to protect airline passengers. Like other Biden administration officials who rely primarily on hype, Buttigieg says that the rules aim to create transparency, protect passenger rights, and ensure better service across the aviation industry.

Really? Let’s examine his record.

Buttigieg gloats that the DOT has finalized a rule requiring airlines to refund passengers for canceled or significantly changed flights. He says that passengers filing a mishandled baggage report are entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if the bag is not delivered within specific timeframes after arrival. If an airline fails to provide services such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment (for which passengers paid a fee), they are entitled to a refund.

Seriously, is this the best 56,000 staffers can do for the American traveler? Aren’t airlines supposed to issue refunds anyway when they fail to honor the basic terms of a commercial transaction? Also, how is this rule any more effective than a viral social media post or a claim filed with a credit card company for a merchant not honoring the terms of the purchase?

Buttigieg, who infamously did not visit the site of a freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohiofor more than three weeks after the accident, and who invited criticism when he said that “racism is physically built into” United States highways has focused more on advancing a DEI agenda at his agency than bringing federal pressure on airline companies to improve passenger safety and elevate customer service.

In any other administration, Mayor Pete would have been long fired. But Biden fires no one, no matter how incompetent they are—Blinken, Sullivan, Yellen, Austin, and White House Press Secretary KJP. Birds of the same feather flock together.

Americans have a choice this November to fire the entire Biden team.

Rajkamal Rao is a columnist and a member of the tippinsights editorial board. He is an American entrepreneur and wrote the WorldView column for the Hindu BusinessLine, India’s second-largest financial newspaper, on the economy, politics, immigration, foreign affairs, and sports.

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TIPP Takes

Geopolitics, Geoeconomics, And More

1. Israel’s Airstrikes On Rafah’s Displacement Camp Condemned; Toll Climbs To 45 – UPI

The Palestinian Red Crescent said the attacks Sunday night were carried out over “displaced persons’ tents near the U.N. headquarters northwest of Rafah,” saying that the location was designated as a humanitarian zone by Israel, The Times of Israel reported.

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL

Nations, including France, Turkey, and Egypt, condemned the airstrikes. “Despite our efforts not to hurt them, there was a tragic mishap. We are investigating the incident,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “For us, it’s a tragedy; for Hamas, it’s a strategy.”


2. Egyptian Guard Killed In Shooting On Rafah Border, Israel, And Egypt Investigating – Al Arabiya

Israel’s military had earlier said it was investigating reports of an exchange of fire between Israeli and Egyptian soldiers.

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL
Policemen stand at Rafah crossing port, Egypt, as humanitarian aid convoy for the Gaza Strip is parked, Oct. 17, 2023. (AP)

Preliminary investigations showed that an Egyptian soldier stationed on a watchtower had reacted to seeing an armored vehicle carrying Israeli troops cross a boundary line near the border while the soldiers pursued and killed several Palestinians, two Egyptian security sources said.

The soldier opened fire, and Israeli forces fired back, killing him, the sources said, sparking an exchange of gunfire between the two sides.


3. Zelenskiy Sees ‘No Faith’ In Putin As EU Mulls Russia Peace Talks – RFE/RL

Bloomberg had reported that the European Union is working on organizing a meeting in Saudi Arabia later this year with Russia’s participation.

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL

The meeting would come after a June 15-16 Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, where representatives of dozens of countries – but not Russia – are expected to attend.

“There is no faith in [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,” Zelenskiy said during a press conference in Spain, where he signed a bilateral security deal.


4. Spain Pledges 1 Billion Euros Of Military Aid To Ukraine In 2024 – Al Jazeera

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a security deal in Madrid that “includes a commitment for 1 billion euros in military aid for 2024.”

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez with a security deal they signed at Moncloa Palace in Madrid [Oscar Del Pozo/AFP]

The pact covers the next decade and calls for modern military equipment for ground, aerial, naval, and other uses. It also prioritizes “Ukraine’s key capacity needs” and emphasizes protecting sea routes for Ukraine’s food exports, but it gave no specifics.


5.  Russia To Build Nuclear Power Plant In Uzbekistan – Al Jazeera

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said it would be the first such project in post-Soviet Central Asia as he met visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL
President Putin and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev

According to documents published by the Kremlin, Russian state nuclear firm Rosatom will build up to six nuclear reactors with a capacity of 55 megawatts each in Uzbekistan. This is a much smaller-scale project than the 2.4-gigawatt one agreed to in 2018, which remains to be finalized.


6. EU Foreign Ministers Adopt New Russia Sanctions – D.W.

The sanctions target the judiciary and penal system in no small part and are a reaction to the death of Alexei Navalny.

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL

The punitive sanctions, which are separate from the economic sanctions already imposed on Russia for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, target individuals and organizations responsible for the repression of Russia’s political opposition. They include asset freezes and entry bans.


7. Poland Presents Plan To Fortify Border To Russia, Belarus – D.W.

The system, called Shield-East, is to be completed in 2028 and aims to protect Poland from hostile actions across the border, which up to now have included pushing migrants illegally into the country, an EU member.

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL

The program includes planned fortifications, hubs, and telecommunication systems in coordination with other eastern NATO allies — Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Poland hopes that EU funds will cover part of the 10 billion zloty ($2.55 billion) cost because the system will also strengthen the eastern border of the 27-member bloc.


8. Russia To Remove Taliban From Its Terrorist Group List: Report – AFP

The move could further boost diplomacy between Russia and Afghanistan. Still, it would fall short of an official recognition of the Taliban government and what it calls the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.”

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL

Moscow has for years fostered relations with the Taliban, holding multiple rounds of talks and boosting trade with Afghanistan despite international sanctions.


9. Russia, China Seek New Gas Route As ‘Siberia 2’ Becomes Putin’s Pipe Dream – Newsweek

With negotiations on Russia’s proposed natural gas pipeline to China in limbo, Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes to recover lost European business by routing natural gas to Central Asian states and through them to the energy-hungry Chinese market.

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL
Infographic dated May, 21 2020

Earlier this month, Putin concluded a state visit to China without having clinched a deal on a second Power of Siberia 2 pipeline. Analysts believe Beijing is waiting for a Russian concession to shoulder more, if not all, of the construction costs.


10. Dozens Of Taiwanese Celebrities Endorse Beijing’s Claim On Island – RFA

More than 70 artists and celebrities reposted a statement from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on the Weibo social media platform, saying that Taiwan’s independence was “a dead end.”

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL
Taiwanese celebrities from left to right: journalist Patty Hou, singer and actress Nana Ouyang, TV host and actress Dee Hsu are pictured in this combination of file photos. (Photos by AFP and AP)

Chinese dissident Gong Yujian, who now lives permanently in Taiwan, said that the artists’ statements are part of a campaign to wage “cognitive warfare” on Taiwan.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture said the artists were forced into taking a position by “unavoidable circumstances” and that such coercion would never happen in democratic Taiwan.


11. Danish PM Calls For 15+ Age Limit For Social Media In EU – Politico

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen wants the European Union to impose an age limit of 15 for social media use in an effort to better shield young smartphone users from harmful content and screen addiction.

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL

Mette Frederiksen said the EU’s content-moderation rulebook, the Digital Services Act (DSA), has proven to be “not sufficient” to fight tech giants. Raising the age limit echoes French President Emmanuel Macron’s call last month to have a “digital majority” set at 15 at the EU level.


12. Iran’s Near-Bomb-Grade Uranium Stock Grows, Talks Stall, IAEA Reports Say – Reuters

Iran is enriching uranium to close to weapons-grade at a steady pace while discussions aimed at improving its cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog are stalled, two confidential reports by the watchdog showed.

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL

The International Atomic Energy Agency faces a range of difficulties in Iran, including implementing only a small fraction of the steps IAEA chief Rafael Grossi thought it committed to in a “Joint Statement” on cooperation last year.


13. North Korea Fails In Its Latest Attempt To Launch Military Satellite – Kyodo News

North Korea failed to put a military reconnaissance satellite into orbit due to engine problems, the country’s state media said, prompting Japan to condemn it for firing a projectile using ballistic missile technology.

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL

According to the Korean Central News Agency, the satellite-carrying rocket exploded in midair after the launch. The incident occurred after North Korea notified Japan of a plan to launch the rocket before June 4 and after neighboring countries held a trilateral summit in Seoul.


14. U.S. Marijuana Use Outpaces Alcohol – tippinsights

Daily and near-daily marijuana use is now more common than similar levels of drinking alcohol in the U.S., according to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

As Airlines’ Service Levels Fall, Secretary Buttigieg is AWOL

Related TIPP Poll: America’s Fears About Legal Pot And Stoned Drivers Are Laid Bare In This Shocking Daily Mail Survey


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Republished with permission from TIPP Insights

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