From Aviation Disasters To FAA Firings, Skies Aren't Friendly: Survey

If you’d rather take a train or automobile over a plane, you’re not alone.

Airplane safety — punctuated by a string of aviation disasters and close calls since January — and federal government efficiency efforts are separate but entwined issues, according to hundreds of readers who responded to an informal Patch survey. But they’ve combined to deflate confidence in flying, a majority of respondents said.

We asked: After a string of high-profile crashes and unrelated Federal Aviation Administration firings, how comfortable are you getting on an airplane?

Our non-scientific survey showed a little more than half (54 percent) of the 550 readers who responded think it’s safe or somewhat safe to fly. About a quarter (27 percent) said they are very or somewhat confident in federal agencies’ ability to ensure safe air travel.

“I was scheduled to fly to Florida next week and was relieved to cancel the trip when my host became ill,” said Bolton, who reads Bridgewater Patch, Warren Patch, and Watchung-Green Brook Patch, all in New Jersey.

“Five [high-profile] plane accidents in a matter of weeks is very unsettling and doesn’t give me confidence that air travelers are as safe as they should be.”

Snowbird Karen, who reads Parsippany (New Jersey) Patch and Dunedin (Florida) Patch, checked into traveling from Newark to Tampa by train.

“I fly back and forth quite a bit,” Karen said, adding she is “not feeling confident” about getting on an airplane.

Doylestown (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Christine said “it’s a bit unnerving when there are so many incidents occurring in a short period of time,” but said she will continue to fly.

‘You Can’t Stop Doing Things’

Several readers said anxiety about boarding an airplane isn’t new and and has nothing to do with a new administration in Washington.

They cited issues with aircraft, including the shocking mid-flight door blowout on a Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner last year, and subsequent National Transportation Safety Board findings that rushed production lines, untrained workers and a culture of fear discouraged whistleblowers from raising safety concerns.

“The public cannot seem to comprehend that mechanical upkeep is the responsibility of the airline, and not the FAA,” a Clark-Garwood (New Jersey) Patch reader said, adding, “Aviation is still the safest it has ever been.”

“Commercial aviation is extremely safe,” said Plainfield (Illinois) Patch reader Keith. “It’s the airlines at the forefront of this, not the government. You are way more likely to get into an accident driving to the airport than flying.”

“Blaming the government for these accidents seems kind of stupid,” said Woodbury (Minnesota) Patch reader Junie. “I 100 percent blame the plane manufacturers that have been cutting corners for decades in order to put planes out faster and better line the pockets of the shareholders and people at the top of the pyramid. It also doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies when whistleblowers who try to let the public know just how bad it’s gotten keep dying.”

Fran, who reads Dublin Patch, Scotts Valley Patch and Santa Cruz Patch, also feels confident about airline travel. “I find the airports and TSA more imposing than the flight itself,” Fran said.

Across America Patch reader Missy isn’t quite as confident, but said, “Anything can happen at anytime in air, on land or out at sea. You can’t stop doing things.”

‘Gaslighting At Its Best’

“I have always been very confident in the safety of air travel,” said Castro Valley (California) Patch reader Dan. “But now with all of the government cuts happening, I am not as confident as I used to be.”

Dan is among several readers who said their normal high confidence in the safety in flying has been shaken by efforts by billionaire Elon Musk, President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency adviser, to overhaul federal agencies, including by firing 400 FAA employees.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the workers who were let go were not air traffic controllers or other critical safety personnel.

To say the firings will have no correlation to air travel safety is “gaslighting at its finest,” said Doylestown (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Sarah.

“This has been terrifying to watch unravel, and so quickly,” Sarah said. “This administration has no concern for the safety or well-being of the American people and only care about lining their own pockets.”

“Slash and burn of agencies without true analysis does not make me feel secure to fly or trust that the current government is focused on protecting us,” said Edison-Metuchen (New Jersey) Patch reader Barbara. “To fire the next generation (probationary employees) to do these jobs is also alarming.”

JG, a Concord (New Hampshire) Patch reader, said the FAA needs more workers, not fewer, and should hire more air traffic controllers.

“This unthoughtful approach to slashing budgets at agencies that significantly contribute to public safety is downright frightening, and I will be flying much less in the future,” JG said.

Maclain, who reads Warwick (Rhode Island) Patch and Across America Patch, wasn’t worried about the safety of air travel until the FAA firings, “despite the recent crashes.”

“Now that there are fewer people doing the jobs, when they were short-staffed to begin with, there is more room for error,” Maclain said. “Until the FAA is fully staffed with competent people (not anyone chosen by the current president’s administration or Elon Musk) I will probably not fly anywhere unless it is absolutely necessary.”

“Until now, air travel has been safe, and I trusted the FAA to keep the airspace safe,” a Massachusetts Patch reader said. “But lately, with close calls as well as the recent incidents, this calls into question this safety record. The arbitrary firings by this administration will put this into even more jeopardy.”

Riverside-Brookfield (Illinois) Patch reader Pam agreed.

“Up until recently, I felt air travel was the safest way to travel. But the number of accidents in such a short period of time after a mass firing of people in this industry, I am significantly less confident,” Pam said “I know the people who are still working in those positions are doing what they can to ensure our safety, but when they're understaffed and overworked, crashes are likely to be more common, unfortunately.”

Westminster (Maryland) Patch reader Virginia worries the FAA layoffs will negatively affect morale.

“The workers remaining are operating with added stress and fear for their jobs,” Virginia said “My concern is this may lead to difficulty concentrating on the job. If you treat people like dirt, their jobs can reflect that.”

‘They Got Rid Of Useless Workers’

Lynda, who reads Naperville Patch and Wheaton Patch, both in Illinois, feels “somewhat confident” about the federal government’s ability to ensure safe air travel.

“There does need to be changes in how inspections are carried out, and more power of enforcement should be given to the NTSB,” Lynda said. “Finally, there should be follow-up to make sure that any directives are being followed without delay or changes.”

Astoria-Long Island (New York) Patch reader Carol defended DOGE.

“They got rid of useless workers, and by the way, Trump is in office a month, so you can’t blame him,” Carol said, blaming instead the diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, policies of the Biden administration.

Renee, a Milford (Connecticut) Patch reader, said blaming DEI policies for the spate of crashes and near misses unnecessarily politicizes air safety.

“It did not win anyone's confidence when the President and his staff began pointing fingers at the previous administration and (sic) ‘DEI’ (read: EEOC or equal rights hiring practices) within a few hours of the plane/helicopter collision, instead of holding off on unfounded hypotheses until an investigation into the matter had even begun.”

“Although I am confident that flying is safe, I am still nervous to fly, especially when crucial FAA employees are being laid off,” Homewood (Illinois) Patch reader Jess said. “It’s too much happening all at once with the government layoffs and dismantling of DEI programs.

“Why wouldn't a company want to be Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive of its workforce? What is so offensive about that?” Jess said. “It's so chaotic now in these Divided States of America.”

‘Relieved To Cancel Trip’

Several readers were outspoken in their waning confidence in flying.

“I’ve been a frequent traveler but no longer feel confident about flying, especially on domestic flights,” said Wakefield (Massachusetts) Patch reader Jackie. “I have zero faith that the current administration will proceed with properly investigating and correcting problems.”

“My niece's husband is a pilot for a commercial airline. Mostly [regional jets],” said Chicago Patch reader Mark. “He said he is avoiding flying as much as possible.”

New Jersey reader Bolton was grateful when a trip was suddenly canceled.

“I was scheduled to fly to Florida next week and was relieved to cancel the trip when my host became ill,” said Bolton, who reads Bridgewater Patch, Warren Patch, and Watchung-Green Brook Patch. “Five [high-profile] plane accidents in a matter of weeks is very unsettling and doesn’t give me confidence that air travelers are as safe as they should be.”

“I was planning on flying to my hometown this spring,” said Cassy, a Dallas-Hiram (Georgia) Patch reader. “Not doing that anymore.

Emily, a New Baltimore-Chesterfield (Michigan) Patch reader, said she’s no longer enchanted with the idea of flying, but it’s not because she’s worried her plane will fall out of the sky.

On a flight couple of years ago, the departure gate was changed six times and the departure time was changed three times, for a total delay of four hours.

Nashua (New Hampshire) Patch reader T is over flying, too.

“Between plane crashes, unruly passengers, delays and knowing people who have died in plane crashes, I don’t want to get on a plane!” T said.