FAA nominee held up over concerns about safety lawsuit at Delta
FAA NOMINEE DELAYED BY LACK OF LAWSUIT DISCLOSURE: Dickson’s confirmation has been held up by Democratic concerns over a lawsuit that he failed to disclose on his paperwork, our Tanya Snyder scooped Monday. The complaint alleged that Delta Air Lines, his former employer, retaliated against a whistleblower who raised safety concerns related to pilot fatigue and training. Dickson is not the one accused of retaliating, but he is referenced in the suit and gave a deposition in the case.
Senate Commerce aides told Tanya that Dickson had appeared before committee staff last week for a “lengthy” briefing. “Since holding the nomination hearing with Mr. Dickson, new information has come to the committee’s attention that merits further examination,” Chairman Roger Wicker said. “The committee has been reviewing this information and I have asked the Department of Transportation and the White House to do the same.”
The White House said in a statement that it has “complete confidence in his nomination and expects him to be confirmed.”
In response to the story, a Delta spokesperson said: “The very core of our safety program is employee reporting. Every single Delta employee is encouraged and empowered to report potential concerns and we do not tolerate retaliation against employees who raise concerns.”
Of course, this all comes in the context of the FAA facing the most serious safety crisis in years after two fatal Boeing 737 MAX crashes.
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Another example of politics muddling the waters of reasonableness.